S Jones Archaeology

New Peace Program at UAB!

2011-10-14T12:29:00.002-05:00

In honor of September's Peace Day and a new program in Peace, Social Justice and the Environment at UAB, I have listed some web resources below which are related to these themes.

Buddhas at Bayon, Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Photo by S.Jones

First, check out our ANTHRO-TEACH post on Peace.

For UAB's May-term I will offer a Study Away program to India, focused on "A Culture of Peace." Students and I will be working with ANEC (the Active Nonviolence Education Center) in Dharamsala, India to provide training and volunteer work focused on nonviolence, environmental issues, peace, and social action. Contact me if you are interested (sharynj@uab.edu). Students can receive up to 6 credit hours at UAB for this three week course. This study away will fulfill the requirements for a minor in Peace, Social Justice and Environment.

A street scene in Delhi, India. Photo by S. Jones

Thich Nhat Hanh, perhaps one of the best living representatives for peace and peaceful living just visited the region for a retreat at the Magnolia Grove Monastery in Mississippi. Here is a link to some of his poems on peace.

Finally, Les Sponsel's of the Anthropology Department at University of Hawai'i has a wonderful website that deals with issues of Historical Ecology, Region, Peace, and Anthropology. The website for Peaceful Societies also provides information on cross cultural alternatives to violence and war.

New books by Cormier and Jones

2010-12-16T18:13:00.007-06:00

Lori Cormier and Sharyn Jones have written two new books on Cultural Anthropology, which are especially relevant to students in Introductory Cultural Anthropology courses. The first is a text book: Introductory Cultural Anthropology: An Interactive Approach, published by National Social Science Press (2010).

This book incorporates interactive videos, imagery, and hyperlinks to web-based materials. It was developed for use in the authors' Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (ANTH 101) classes at UAB, and is available for purchase downloading online. Proceeds from royalties for both books will be donated to an ANTHRO-TEACH scholarship fund to support anthropology undergraduates at UAB.

The second book was designed to supplement the textbook with a broad array of theoretical and ethnographic essays and articles in the discipline. Humankind: An Introductory Reader for Cultural Anthropology (2010) was published by Cognella. We selected papers that are engaging and relevant, yet accessible for undergraduates in introductory-level cultural anthropology courses. This text represents a diverse range of cultural contexts and includes papers that speak to important contemporary debates in anthropology. The section and chapter themes are consistent with those typically covered in Introductory Cultural Anthropology courses, including issues of anthropology's subject, religious and symbolic behaviors, language, social identity, kinship, family, and economics. This reader also includes a section exploring the future of culture, culture survival and change, and the ethical responsibilities of anthropologists to the people we study.

the SAA Archaeological Record special issue on Ethnoarchaeology

2010-01-02T13:23:00.006-06:00

The Society for American Archaeology's Magazine, the SAA Archaeological Record published its November 2009 special issue on Ethnoarchaeology (available at this link above). Sharyn Jones contributed and co-edited this and the December issue. The cover photo, above features a picture of women and children on Lakeba collecting inshore fish using the traditional vono method, and a picture of "dinner," including green papaya, Empororfish, and a porcupinefish. Cover photos by Sharyn Jones.

Food and Gender in Fiji

2009-08-16T13:28:00.011-05:00

Food and Gender in Fiji: Ethnoarchaeological Explorations is out-- August, 2009! Check it out on the Lexington Books, Rowman & Littlefield websites.

2009-05-01T09:52:00.008-05:00

Sharyn's book, Food and Gender in Fiji: Ethnoarchaeological Explorations, will be in print in August, 2009 from Lexington Books-Rowman & Littlefiled. Check out the book's website:

http://www.rowmanlittlefield.com/Catalog/SingleBook.shtml?command=Search&db=^DB/CATALOG.db&eqSKUdata=0739134809&thepassedurl=[thepassedurl]

UAB NSF REU in Fiji- Summer Archaeology Fieldschool

2009-02-07T19:50:00.016-06:00

The South end of Nayau, Lau Group, Fiji. (Photo by Sharyn Jones)

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is now accepting applications from undergraduates for the summer 2009 archaeological field school in the Lau Islands, Fiji. Students will have the opportunity to learn how to excavate archaeological sites, make a meaningful contribution to understanding the past lifeways of Fijian peoples, and experience another culture. We will accept nine undergraduate students from all majors and of any level (freshman-senior), for the 2009 fieldschool who will receive funding to cover plane fare, living expenses, and each will be provided a stipend for completing this 9-week experience (June-July). We are interested in recruiting students from all backgrounds; it is not necessary to have had prior archaeological experience to apply. Applications for the Program should be requested from the project PI, Dr. Sharyn Jones, sharynj@uab.edu. Recruiting will begin immediately; the deadline for application is March 10, 2009.

A fisherman from Narocivo Village, Nayau island. (Photo by Sharyn Jones)

FAQS for Students:
What is an REU?
The National Science Foundation has developed an REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) grant competition that provides funding to universities that create opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to participate in "hands-on" scientific research. Our REU involves anthropological research in archaeology and cultural anthropology in Fiji. UAB anthropologist, Dr. Jones, is the program leader for a two-year grant that will provide funds for 18 students to participate in a summer field school based in Fiji. Nine students will participate in an archaeology program this summer (2009). Next summer, a different group of nine students will participate in a cultural anthropology and ethnohistory program (2010).

Request application materials and guidelines from Sharyn Jones at sharynj@uab.edu. The deadline for application is March 10, 2009. Check out the NSF REU FIji Program website: http://hulamo.com/2009_NSF_REU_Fieldschool_in_Fiji/Home.html

Inshore Fishing in Lau: A Documentary Video

2008-03-24T18:01:00.010-05:00

A basket of fish collected by women and children in the inshore area on the island of Lakeba, Lau Group, Fiji (photo by S. Jones).

The documentary film below focuses on a traditional Fijian fishing method called “vono”. In modern Fiji, this method is only practiced in the Lau Group on the island of Lakeba. Like all inshore fishing traditionally done in Fiji, this complex net fishing method is organized and run entirely by women. This film follows an elder fisher woman and her successors during a rare cultural event that has changed little since it originated.

This film was written and produced by Joseph Ortega and Sharyn Jones; Joseph Ortega did the filming, editing, narration, animation, and organized the sound track. Michael Hanson took the still photos.
This video can also be viewed at Google Video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6257583410432053434&ei=RFZMScOyBYrEqQKAqvXvCw&q=vono+fiji&hl=en&emb=1

Summer 2007 Fiji Study Abroad- A Photo Essay

2007-08-25T01:42:00.000-05:00

(UAB group at the USP bure with Dr. Thomas)

Six UAB students, an electronics expert, and a nurse joined me this summer for two weeks in Fiji. Our group visited the islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Taveuni for days of hiking, swimming, snorkeling and learning about Fiji’s past and present. We were hosted at the University of the South Pacific by Professor Frank Thomas and had opportunities to visit the Fiji Museum, colonial Suva—Fiji’s capital, Savusavu, and many parks and villages on Taveuni and Vanua Levu.

(Our first hike started out nice enough at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes on Viti Levu- everyone is looking fresh before the wrong turn...)

(The Sigatoka Dunes, a vast sandy landscape rich in history)

(Catherine and Chris' first Fijian meal of parrotfish in fresh coconut milk, cassava and Fiji Water)

(The group at the Fiji Museum)

(Part of the Museum's cannibalism display-the bones of human's were sometimes put in trees after they were cannibalized; note the cannibal forks and bone needles in the back)

(After a couple of days in Suva we were ready for a break from the city. We headed to Taveuni where I took this photo of a house garden at Tovutovu)

(Taveuni's Bouma Park and lower waterfall)

(Qeleni Village tour. Our guide, Anna explains how the pandanus leaves are drying in the sun and will be used by the women of the village to make mats)

(The feast in Naselesele Village)

(Girls performing a traditional Fijian meke or dance that followed our feast in Naselesele Village)

(Catherine and her video camera made a splash in the village)

(Madison partakes in a yaqona or kava ceremony in Qeleni Village)

(Yaqona drying in the sun)

(Masi or barkcloth for sale on Taveuni)

(Dinner of a kick-ass curry at the Curry Hut)

(The wasp found on someone's plate at the Kick-ass Curry Shack)

(A woman fishing in the inshore area of Taveuni at the North end of the island)

(The ferry ride from Taveuni to Vanua Levu)

(The world's happiest "No Smoking" sign, found on Grace Ferry)

(Hike to Lomaloma waterfall on Vanua Levu)

(Lower Bouma falls)

2007-03-06T12:08:00.001-06:00

The Anthropology Club will meet Friday, March 9 at 11am at the Honors Building beside the School of Business. At this meeting the club will work on their mission statement, purpose, and design a constitution. Meetings usually last for a half an hour. This is an excellent opportunity for any students interested in the club to come meet the officers and add input. Students need not be Anthropology majors to attend or join the club. In fact, the club is actively seeking membership from many majors (Social Work, History, International Studies, Anthropology etc.). Some of the exciting activities they have planned include:

- Making contacts with Birmingham inner city schools to present information about anthropology (we will offer slide shows, films, lectures, etc.).
-Meeting with local High school faculty members to help promote anthropology as a major at the high school level.
-Visiting the Civil Rights Institute on March 31st (http://www.bcri.org/index.html)
-Visiting the Southern Museum of Flight on April 7th (http://www.southernmuseumofflight.org/)

Photo of Sloss iron gate (by S.Jones)

Sloss Furnaces (by S.Jones)

The First Spring 2007 UAB Anthropology Club Meeting!

2007-02-12T17:11:00.000-06:00

UAB’s first Anthropology Club Meeting for the Spring 2007 term will take place on Saturday, February 24 at the Sloss Furnaces in downtown Birmingham! We will meet at 1pm at the Sloss Visitor’s Center and take a guided tour of this amazing National Historic Landmark. Check out Sloss’ website form more info on this historic site (http://www.slossfurnaces.com/media/html/home/sloss_story.php).

Following the tour, around 2:30 or 3 pm, the Anthro Club will either hold their official meeting at Sloss or move to a venue in Five Points for food, drinks, and discussion. Please feel free to join us and bring a friend!

The Sloss Furnaces are located at: Twenty 32nd St. North, Birmingham AL and admission is Free.

Upcoming Summer Research in Fiji

2006-12-13T10:50:00.000-06:00

Reef fish for sale in the Suva Fishmarket, Fiji (Photo by S. Jones).

This summer I will continue research in Fiji's Lau Group. This work is supported by the National Geographic Society and involves a team of researchers including U.S.-, Canadian-, Australian-, and Fiji-based collaborators. Our work focuses on understanding marine biodiversity and resource use in the past and present.

Current scientific studies are increasingly taking into account the ecological complexity of the past to identify causes of change and demonstrate achievable goals for resource management and restoration. Adding an archaeological dimension significantly expands the concept of biodiversity by generating long-term perspectives on human-environmental interactions.

Sepesa Colati scaling a jack on Aiwa (Photo by S. Jones).

Our project will contribute to the understanding and conservation of biodiversity by: (1) documenting living marine faunas through detailed biological surveys on four diverse islands in the Lau Group, Fiji; (2) ethnographic recording of modern marine collection patterns by Lauan communities; and (3) generating long-term data on marine diversity and exploitation through archaeological work. Together this information will characterize the causes and rates of ecological change in this marine setting. Moreover, long-term temporal data will facilitate the development of programs for sustainable use of marine resources in the study area and beyond. We plan to gain additional important insights into the conservation of marine resources through our interactions with the Lauan communities and fisherpeople. Fijians have a long history of applying their rich traditional ecological knowledge to manage and conserve important natural resources.

Crabs served at a picnic on Lakeba (Photo by J. Franklin).

Check out the post (below/ October) on my Summer 2007 Fiji Study Abroad Course offered through the University of Alabama at Birmingham. This class is open to students all over the US regardless of major.

UAB Anthropology Club Events, Fall 2006

2006-11-01T10:11:00.000-06:00

The Pyramid of the Moon, Teotihuacan, Mexico (Photo by S.Jones)

The first UAB Anthropology Club meeting was in Oct., 2006. It was hosted at the home of Dr.s S. Parcak and G. Mumford and was sponsored by UAB's Anthropology Department and the School of Social and Behavioral Science. The club is seeking to recruit new members and become officially recognized as a UAB Student Organization. This is an exciting opportunity to get involved in the Anthropology Department and the community. Membership is open to all UAB students, regardless of major.

Our next event will be on Thursday, Nov. 9. The Anthro Club will meet at Safari Cup Coffee in Downtown Birmingham at 5:15 pm (300 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd.). Please feel free to bring friends and family. After the meeting all are invited to stay at Safari Cup to watch the award winning documentary film BLACK GOLD check out their web site to watch a trailer and get details at: http://www.blackgoldmovie.com/

Black Gold starts at 6 pm Thurs and costs $5 for students with student ID ($7 for all others). Buy tickets at the door, or in advance at Safari Cup. Call 326-0019 for directions or additional information. More info on the film including a description and reviews can be found at: http://www.sidewalkfilm.org/

On Nov. 10 Anthro Club members are invited to Dr. Parcak's house to participate in reverse archaeology. Participants will help create an archaeological site alongside students and professional archaeologists. The site will be excavated the following day by Introductory Archaeology students.

A reminder: Members of the Anthropology Club and all others are invited to a free lecture by Barry Kemp of Cambridge University, to be held the evening of Nov 14th from 5:30-7pm in UAB's Bell Auditorium. Dr. Kemp is the most famous Egyptian Archaeologist in the world, and he brought Anthropology to Egyptology. The title of his lecture is: “Life and religion at the ancient Egyptian city of Tell el-Amarna.”

Amarna is famous as the city which Pharaoh Akhenaten built for the purpose of imposing his religious ideas – a form of monotheism – on the landscape and, to an uncertain extent, upon the society of his time. It gained a population of several tens of thousands of people who had to make a life in the new location and who brought with them a mindset formed before Akhenaten became king. Recent excavations have been within a set of small houses and, for the first time, in a cemetery of ordinary citizens. They contribute to a re-evaluation of the nature of Amarna as a city and to the interplay between Akhenaten’s ideas and the beliefs of his people.

Dr. Kemp is a Fellow of the British Academy and he is also the Director of the Amarna Project that incorporates the archaeological expedition of the Egypt Exploration Society, working in association with the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt. He has directed fieldwork at Amarna since 1977. He is author of Ancient Egypt; anatomy of a civilization (now in its second edition) and of a series of reports and studies on Tell el-Amarna itself.

UAB Food and Culture Class Fall 2006

2006-10-27T11:07:00.000-05:00

A pig on the earth oven, Lau Group, Fiji (Photo by S. Jones)

Food practices and beliefs are an integral part of every culture. This Fall I am teaching a Food and Culture class at UAB from a cross-cultural perspective. This course is designed to present a broad view of the role of food in human culture through time and in a variety of geographic settings. We meet twice a week to discuss classic and contemporary articles about food, watch films, take field trips, and enjoy wonderful food brought by the students.

Some of the wonderful foods that we have enjoyed include: casarole, brownies, pinwheel cookies, cherry turnovers, a dark fermented brewed beverage, and Dreamland Bar-b-q with all the fixings!

This week we had a guest speaker, Dr. Gregory Mumford who lectured on Ancient Egyptian Foodways.

Last week we took a fieldtrip to the Jones Valley Urban Farm, a non-profit farm in Birmingham, Alabama, which seeks to enhance the environmental, economic and social health of the Birmingham area by promoting locally grown organic food and community activism. Check out their website: http://www.jvuf.org/about.shtml

Summer Study Abroad UAB-Fiji

2006-10-22T12:21:00.000-05:00

Liku Village, Lau Group, Fiji (Photo by S. Jones).

I'm teaching a summer Study Abroad course focused on the Fiji Islands through the University of Alabama at Birmingham during Summer B” of 2007 (July 8-Aug. 4). This class is open to undergraduates and graduate students (from UAB and elsewhere) who want participate in a mixed format classroom and field-based study.

Course description: This course is an intensive 6-credit class designed to introduce students to the people and culture of Fiji and Oceania. A survey of the cultural development of the peoples of Oceania as seen through the disciplines of history, archaeology, and anthropology will form the foundation of this class. This course is mixed format, including lecture and field research. Students will first meet at UAB for classroom lectures and discussion and then travel to Fiji as a group, where we will immerse ourselves in Fijian culture.

Nayau Island, Fiji (Photo by S. Jones).

The class (ANTH 247 and ANTH 490-491/ 492-493) will emphasize interactions between humans and the environment and is designed to introduce students to the ways that ecological, historical, economic, and cultural phenomena are connected. A particular focus on Fiji will include travel to the Fijian islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Taveuni. We will visit Fiji’s capital, Suva, the Fiji Museum, and attend lectures at the largest University in the Pacific Islands, the University of the South Pacific. Outside the city, students will engage in cultural and eco-tours lead by the instructor and local guides as they explore FijiÂ’s rich flora, fauna, and culture history in areas where few tourists visit. Archaeological sites such as hilltop fortified villages, caves, and ancient battle-grounds will lend insights into the past. We will investigate the regionÂ’s abundant and diverse marine life through snorkeling and sea kayaking around Taveuni’s amazing coast and small offshore islands. Forest and beach hikes will provide opportunities to observe waterfalls, interior lakes, rainforests, and tropical wildlife. Students will also engage in traditional cultural activities at remote villages including partaking in Fijian feasts.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
This Study Abroad Program has three goals:
1) This course will provide students with in-depth knowledge of the history and culture of the Pacific Islands, especially the Fijian Islands.
2) Students will be exposed to tropical ecology (both terrestrial and marine) and learn first hand about Fiji’s flora and fauna, ecological diversity, and conservation issues.
3) This course it is expected to engender an appreciation and understanding of cultural and ecological diversity among the student participants.

Please contact me if you are interested in enrolling in this class. Email: sharynj@uab.edu
Iguana on a tree, Lau Group, Fiji (Photo S.Jones).

A house platform along the Sigatoka River, Viti Levu, Fiji (Photo S.Jones).