CfP (EAA) - INVESTIGATING CERAMIC BUILDING MATERIAL (CBM) IN DIFFERENT CONTEXTS - LIFE CYCLES OF TERRACOTTA OBJECTS

03.09.2025 - 06.09.2025 Ganztags

Call for papers, Session #187:

INVESTIGATING CERAMIC BUILDING MATERIAL (CBM) IN DIFFERENT CONTEXTS - LIFE CYCLES OF TERRACOTTA OBJECTS

European Association of Archaeologists Annual Meeting Belgrade 3-6 September 2025

Call for papers open until 6 Feb 2025 https://www.e-a-a.org/EAA2025/ 

The life cycle of ceramic building material (CBM) can be described as a series of phases during which the objects are assigned diverse functions and meanings. At different stages objects are the product of a design and production process, goods to be traded, cargo to be transported or building materials. Reuse is also a common occurrence with the change in an object’s function leading to physical and/or symbolic transformations. To investigate the wider social and economic impact of these objects it is necessary to contextualise objects within their individual life cycles.

The life cycle of ceramic building materials (including bricks, tiles and decorated architectural terracottas) can leave identifying traces on the objects themselves. The reconstruction of a specific phase of even an entire biography is aided through the study of these traces, which is further aided by developments in scientific analyses and technology. The analysis of individual life cycles of this group of finds can give specific insights into different economic strategies within ancient building (industries). This session invites researchers interested in this material to share their latest findings and discuss new research avenues and growing collaboration. We are inviting contributions from the entire Mediterranean and European region (and beyond), spanning from the Classical to Medieval period.

The session is interested in contributions that focus on different life cycle phases and the methods which can be applied to their study, e.g.: Production processes and the investigation of Chaîne opératoire, object biographies and style genealogies, the trade and distribution of materials, the construction process and building techniques involving CRM, the investigation of wear and object function, changes in form, function and design when objects are re-used or recycled, destruction and deposition and the traces these leave, whether intentional or accidental.

Session organizers: Pirjo Hamari (University of Helsinki, Finnish Heritage Agency) Annalize Rheeder (Independent researcher) Julian Bauch (German Archaeological Institute, Berlin)