BANEA 2026

Conference Theme

Production and Consumption of Knowledge in the Archaeology of West Asia

The overarching theme of the conference prompts scholars to focus on both ancient as well as modern practices around how archaeological, historical, scientific, and other knowledge is created, curated, and exchanged within as well as outside specialist circles. We especially encourage papers that highlight 

• Methodologies of knowledge production and/or consumption in the past and in the study of the past

• Theoretical models of knowledge production in archaeology and related disciplines

• Critical approaches to the history and contemporary practices of knowledge production

• Inclusive perspectives on reciprocal knowledge exchange between scholarly and other communities 

Call for Papers opens September 2025

SESSIONS

There will be three thematic sessions centring on the conference. Further details on abstract submission and deadlines will be announced when the Call for Papers offically opens.

History & Historiography

Organiser: Yağmur Heffron (y.heffron@ucl.ac.uk)

This session will be dedicated to research on the histories of archaeology and related disciplines of studying ancient West Asia, as well as historiographical methods and theories. The temporal scope extends into current affairs and recent trends, and we especially encourage papers which explore the politics of archaeology from a knowledge production/consumption perspective.

Maritime Archaeology

Organiser: Georgia Andreou (g.andreou@ucl.ac.uk)

This session brings maritime archaeology into special focus as a distinctive setting of archaeological knowledge.

Heritage & Museums

Organiser: Rachael Sparks (r.sparks@ucl.ac.uk)

This session prioritises heritage and museum studies from the vantage point of knowledge production and consumption.

General Session

Organiser: Mark Weeden (mark.weeden@ucl.ac.uk)

This is an open session for all papers on any aspect of research on ancient West Asia which fall outside the themes of the first three sessions. We encourage papers which nevertheless highlight issues of knowledge production/consumption, but independent are equally welcome.

Reports & Results

Organiser: Mark Altaweel (m.altaweel@ucl.ac.uk)

This session is set aside for site reports from recent field seasons, as ass as reports on museum collection studies and scientific analyses which focus principally on presenting new data, preliminary results, and similar. Papers will be grouped by general region and arranged in broad chronological order.

WORKSHOPS

In addition to main sessions, the conference will also support workshops organised by BANEA/LCANE members, featuring shorter presentations, informal talks, works-in-progress, panels, or roundtable discussions. Workshops may organised around any topic on archaeological and related research on ancient West Asia, but those aligned with the conference theme of knowledge production/consumption will be prioritised. Workshop proposals must include a title, abstract, and a minimum of 4 confirmed speakers. Further details on submission process and deadlines TBA.

UCL Organising Committee for BANEA 2026

Mark Altaweel (Institute of Archaeology)

Georgia Andreou (Institute of Archaeology)

Yağmur Heffron (Department of History)

Rachael Sparks (Institute of Archaeology)

Mark Weeden (Department Greek & Latin)