ROCKY LANDSCAPES. AT THE INTERSECTION OF PEOPLE AND ROCKS. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE (ORIENT-INSTITUT ISTA NBUL, 23-25 MAY 2024)

The archaeological study of stone quarry sites and rock-cut sites is a continuously evolving field, offering interesting prospects for theoretical and methodological advancements. The unifying element is the practice of excavating rocky substrata, which varies according to materials, techniques and morphologies, depending on the context. The action of excavating and extracting stone material is central to the study of these sites, characterized by the abundance and typology of traces left by the people who worked through them. The study of rock-cut sites involves transdisciplinary approaches, including the archaeometric characterization of materials, the examination of quarrying traces, and the analysis of landscapes as a whole. This multifaceted information constitutes the different levels of a prospective global investigation of carved landscapes, defining the numerous relationships that have always characterized human communities’ interactions with geological substrata, whether for productive, residential, or ritual purposes. The study of stone quarries and rock-cut sites necessitates continuous dialogue between specialists from various fields. These experts contribute to weaving a comprehensive narrative involving human and non-human actors and agencies. This perspective underpins the journey of the iraar (International Research on quArries And Rock-cut sites) community and inspired the organization of the conference Rocky Landscapes: At the Intersection of People and Rocks. All information about the event, including the detailed programme and the book of abstracts can be found on the website https://www.mappalab. eu/rocky-landscapes/ (accessed 30. 07.2024).