Call for Papers:
Ancient Graffiti in Context
Workshop: School of Archaeology & Ancient History, University of Leicester
November 8, 2008
This workshop will examine the spatial and social context of graffiti in the
Greek and Roman worlds. Graffiti has been marginalised in archaeological and
historical studies, published in distinct volumes or seen as a curiosity. There
are few theoretical studies of ancient graffiti or its interpretation, and
little reflection on how we – as scholars – categorise this material.
New questions now need to be asked: How do we negotiate the relationship between
text and image? What can we say about the materiality of textual graffiti? What
social processes or practices produce graffiti? To what extent does graffiti
represent or subvert the cultural values of the society in which it occurs? By
bringing together examples and approaches from across the discipline we hope to
develop a better understanding of graffiti and what it can contribute to bigger
questions about the ancient world.
Potential speakers, including postgraduates, are encouraged to submit abstracts
of c.300 words by email to the organisers by May 31st, 2008.
For more information, contact:
Dr Claire Taylor, Department of Classics, Trinity College Dublin
claire.taylor AT tcd.ie
Dr Jennifer Baird, School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of
Leicester
jb188 AT le.ac.uk
Ancient Graffiti in Context
Workshop: School of Archaeology & Ancient History, University of Leicester
November 8, 2008
This workshop will examine the spatial and social context of graffiti in the
Greek and Roman worlds. Graffiti has been marginalised in archaeological and
historical studies, published in distinct volumes or seen as a curiosity. There
are few theoretical studies of ancient graffiti or its interpretation, and
little reflection on how we – as scholars – categorise this material.
New questions now need to be asked: How do we negotiate the relationship between
text and image? What can we say about the materiality of textual graffiti? What
social processes or practices produce graffiti? To what extent does graffiti
represent or subvert the cultural values of the society in which it occurs? By
bringing together examples and approaches from across the discipline we hope to
develop a better understanding of graffiti and what it can contribute to bigger
questions about the ancient world.
Potential speakers, including postgraduates, are encouraged to submit abstracts
of c.300 words by email to the organisers by May 31st, 2008.
For more information, contact:
Dr Claire Taylor, Department of Classics, Trinity College Dublin
claire.taylor AT tcd.ie
Dr Jennifer Baird, School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of
Leicester
jb188 AT le.ac.uk