Archaeology of Religion in the Roman World

Call For Papers: The Archaeology of Religion in the Roman World Program Unit invites papers for the following sessions: 1) “Altar-ed States:” Across religious traditions in the Roman world, ritual experience was shaped by the physical places where rituals were performed. An omnipresent feature of these places is the altar, which served as a focal point of ritual and a potent symbol of cultic authority. We invite papers that explore the altar as a site for distinguishing religious and social identities and signifying religious practice in public and private spaces. Papers might address the placement, orientation, and form of altars including their “decorative” programs; ritual performance at and near altars including issues of access and participation; the role of altars in fostering civic and communal bonds; the use of altars in forging connections between the past and present. 2) “COVID, Contingency, Conflict and the State of the Field in Archeology and the Study of Material Culture:” Archeological research and the study of material culture, especially in situ, both require significant resources (money, time, the ability to travel) that distinguishes these forms of research from many other types of academic work. The emergence of travel restrictions due to COVID-19 has brought this reality into relief, as scholars have been forced to cancel, postpone, or radically alter their research agendas. However, COVID is not the only factor shaping research plans. Ongoing political, social, and economic conflicts, as well as the increasing numbers of academics unable to secure permanent teaching positions, have potential effects on the state of the field. We invite papers that explore how the realities impact the study of religion in the Roman world. Papers might examine the practical implications of these factors, discuss creative responses, and/ or address related ethical issues. 3) We welcome proposals for papers exploring other topics related to the archaeology of religion in the Roman

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