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Dear all,
Since our last newsletter in May 2024, there have been a number of new developments and events, and even more are to come later this year and of course in 2025.
We are happy and proud to announce that – in addition to the English-language SEAA Facebook website and separate Facebook chat group as well as the SEAA chat group on WeChat which operates in Chinese and English – we now have chatgroups in Japanese and Korean on Line and Kaokao respectively (see under General Notices below). We are looking forward to seeing exchange and engagement happening via these new channels – and of course via the existing platforms.
This year for the first time, we have experimented with small-format local conferences and workshops, namely the SEAA Silk Roads Archaeology Workshop which took place in Oxford in early November (for a short report, please see below), and the SEAA/Academia Sinica Archaeology of Food and Foodways conference in Taipei which will take place in early December (see below for access information). The former was met with great success and will hopefully result in an edited volume, the latter is yet to come and has already an exciting program that can be viewed on the SEAA website. While the former was an in-person event involving both presentations and a museum visit, the latter will be hybrid and can be attended online by any SEAA member free of charge – or in person for anyone who has signed up in advance. Please see below under General Notices for more information.
Given the enthusiastic response to both events, we are hoping to have more such events in future, be they in-person only or hybrid or fully online. We would like to encourage anyone who would like to co-organize such a small conference, workshop, an online talk, or any other kind of event with us to reach out to any member of the Executive Board or our PR Officer, WU Siyi.
Planning for our big in-person conference, SEAA10, in late August 2025 in Aberdeen, is also moving along. The local organizers have provided information on travel and accommodation which can be found on our website. The submission system for sessions, individual papers, posters, and short films is open until November 29. Signup for attendance without presentation at early bird prizing is also possible at this time. We are looking forward to seeing your submissions.
Below, you will find our newsletter organized into the following sections:
We are grateful to everyone who sent us their news and contributed to the Newsletter. The Executive Board would also very much like to thank WU Siyi and James COBURN for their tireless efforts on the Newsletter, and Dr Mike STOROZUM for all the editing and programming help.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the contributions from our membership.
Please send us your news at any point in the year so that we can include them in future issues of the newsletter.
With all the best wishes for the spring and summer,
The SEAA Executive Board
SEAA10 Conference, 19 - 23 August 2025
The 10th Worldwide Conference of the Society for East Asian Archaeology will be held in Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, as a fully in-person event. The conference dates are August 19 ¬ 23, 2025. The call for papers, posters, short films, and sessions is now open and session proposals and abstracts are to be submitted by November 29, 2024. We are looking forward to receiving your proposals! Attendance without presentation is of course also possible and registration is likewise open, currently at early bird pricing.
You can find more details on our official conference page. We have new information on travel arrangements and housing options, provided by the local organizers, which can likewise be found on our website.
Please note that the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) meeting in Belgrade is taking place on 3 – 6 September 2025, so participation in these two conferences (plus a post-conference tour in between) can be combined.
SEAA - Academia Sincia Hybrid Conference, 5 – 6 December 2024
Academia Sinica and SEAA are co-organizing a hybrid conference on Archaeology of Food and Foodways: Methods and Cases in Taipei on December 5 – 6, 2024. SEAA members can check the conference programme and join the sessions online. Online attendance is free for SEAA members. After logging into the website, as a member you will have access to the conference program and links to access the conference which can be be found here. Please note that you need to be logged in as a member to see the Zoom link. If you wish to see conference program as a PDF, please click on this link.
If you are joining the meeting online, find the meeting link here:
https://ntucc.webex.com/ntucc-en/j.php?MTID=m6635373453125f94340416bad40ff2e0
Webinar number: 2512 221 2344
Password: kEKwZdpJ239 (53599375 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Joining by video system: Dial 25122212344@ntucc.webex.com
You can also dial 210.4.202.4 and enter your meeting number.
Joining by phone: +65-6703-6949 Singapore Toll
Access code: 251 222 12344
Highlights from the SEAA Silk Roads Archaeology Workshop
The Silk Roads Archaeology Workshop, held on 8 November 2024 at the University of Oxford, brought together 30 scholars to delve into the rich cultural tapestry woven by ancient trade and exchange routes. The event started with a visit to the Silk Roads exhibition at the British Museum on the first day. The second day featured 13 presentations, each exploring unique aspects of the Silk Roads, from geographical and environmental impacts on trade routes to interregional exchanges of faunal goods, technologies, artistic styles, and ritual practices.
The workshop concluded with a keynote speech by Yu-Ping LUK from the British Museum who provided an exclusive look into the museum team’s curatorial journey behind the exhibition, discussing its collaborative creation and thematic focus on interconnected histories from Asia to Europe. This insightful talk left attendees with a deeper appreciation for the enduring influence of the Silk Roads in shaping cultures and histories across the world.
Koji Mizoguchi Elected as International Fellow of the British Academy
Our long-term member and local host of SEAA5 in Fukuoka, Professor Koji MIZOGUCHI from Kyushu University, was elected as an International Fellow of the British Academy. Over the past decades as a social archaeologist, Mizoguchi has analysed materials such as artefacts, architecture, and human remains to reconstruct how people lived, interacted, and organised their societies. His work aims to uncover the stories behind historical artefacts and experiences, understanding how knowledge is produced and its impact on both past and present societies.
SEAA Chat Groups for Japanese and Korean Academic Communities
Our Social Media Coordinator, James COBURN, is hosting two chat groups specifically for SEAA members interested in Japanese and Korean archaeology. We invite you to join, connect with fellow researchers, and exchange ideas, as well as stay updated on the latest academic breakthroughs.
For the Japanese chat group, join via: https://line.me/R/ti/g/P8weNYnvMU
For the Korean chat group, join via: https://open.kakao.com/o/grsp0Pjg
Fieldwork at the Zhajiachang Site
By: Melody LI, PhD Student, University of Oxford
Since August, I have been lucky to join the Peking University Fieldschool Exchange Programme at the Zhangjia Chang Site (张家场故城) in Yanchi, Ningxia, China. This is a Han Dynasty city site, first consolidated during the Western Han. Set in the desert landscape, this region became a locus of interaction between nomadic pastoralism and agriculture and has historically been both inside and outside iterations of the Great Wall. The site encompasses a central ‘city’ area, walls, gates, and burials; although the entire extent and layout of the city is still undergoing excavation. This has been an excellent opportunity to gain fieldwork experience, and to learn how different archaeological education systems conduct fieldwork. Many thanks to Peking University for opening their archaeology undergraduate programme to visiting students.
Jiajing WANG, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Dartmouth College
I am an archaeologist specializing in Neolithic China and currently a faculty member at Dartmouth College. My research challenges traditional interpretations of history as solely "human" by emphasizing the essential roles of nonhuman agents in shaping and guiding human actions. Focusing on archaeobotany—the study of plant remains in archaeological contexts—I explore how entities like plants, animals, and tools actively participated in historical transformations.
In my work on the origins of rice farming in China's Lower Yangtze River, I emphasize how plants and tools influenced human life, effectively "trapping" humans into a sedentary farming existence with labor-intensive activities. I've also led projects on ancient Chinese alcohol production, including discovering evidence of 5,000-year-old beer at the site of Mijiaya in Shaanxi. Recently, my research has shifted to early human-pig interactions in China, where I analyze pig dental calculus to understand their diets and interactions with humans and their environments.
For further information, including a list of publications, see the following link.
Gowoon SEONG, Postdoctoral Researcher, Fudan University
I am a postdoctoral researcher at Fudan University, actively contributing to the International Program on East Asian Ceramics Research. Recently, I organized the 2nd International Conference on the History of East Asian Ceramics, held from November 2 – 3, 2024, at the Jingdezhen Institute of Ceramic Archaeology. This conference brought together scholars from China, Japan, and Korea to explore topics ranging from ceramic origins to cultural heritage preservation, with generous support from the Jingdezhen Municipal Government and both domestic and international experts.
Additionally, as executive editor of East Asian Ceramics Studies, I have published newsletters that highlight recent archaeological discoveries and exhibitions across East Asia. My research publications include “An East Asian Perspective on Ceramic Exchange between Ming China and Joseon” in The Review of Korean Studies and “Hakata Merchants and the Distribution of Ceramics in Northeast Asia” in Studies of Maritime History.
For further information, please consult my profiles on Academia.edu and Researchgate.
Talks on Silk Roads and Eurasian Archaeology at the University College London (UCL), 20 & 22 November 2024 [LECTURES]
Professor Michael FRACHETTI will be sharing his latest research on the economic, political, and ideological complexities of Central Asia across the Bronze Age and medieval periods. This is an exciting opportunity to deepen our understanding of the historical role of the Silk Roads and to learn about ground-breaking discoveries that redefine the place of Central Asia in global archaeology.
Silk Roads: Contacts and Exchanges across Afro-Eurasia, 500–1000 at the British Museum, London, 5 – 6 December 2024 [CONFERENCE]
This two-day conference complements the British Museum's Silk Roads exhibition by bringing together scholars to explore the expanded, multifaceted networks of exchange across Afro-Eurasia between 500 and 1000 CE.
Yangshao in the Past and Present: the Yangshao Culture Project Conference at the University of Cambridge, 11 – 13 December 2024 [CONFERENCE]
The conference showcases research on the Yangshao Culture from the disciplines of archaeology and cultural heritage, presented by speakers from the UK, China, Europe, and the USA.
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Designation of the Warrior in Keikō Armor as a National Treasure Haniwa: Tomb Sculptures of Japan at the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo, ongoing until 8 December 2024 [EXHIBITION]
This special exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Treasure designation of the Warrior in Keikō Armor, showcasing an extensive collection of haniwa tomb sculptures that offer rare insights into ancient Japanese society.
Gold from Dragon City: Masterpieces of Three Yan from Liaoning, 337–436 at the China Institute Gallery, NYC, ongoing until 5 January 2025 [EXHIBITION]
The exhibition showcases treasures from the Three Yan states in Liaoning, revealing the region's rich cultural and ethnic history through exquisite artefacts such as gold ornaments, sculptures, and ceremonial objects.
Asian Bronze at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, ongoing until 12 January 2025 [EXHIBITION]
This exhibition is a unique celebration of 4000 years of Asian bronze work, with masterpieces from India, China, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, Nepal and Korea. Ranging from prehistoric objects to contemporary artworks, and from everyday items to depictions of gods, each one is a display of astonishing skill and dazzling imagination.
Gold Ming: The splendors and Beauties of Imperial China (14th – 17th centuries) at the Guimet Museum, Paris, ongoing until 13 January 2025 [EXHIBITION]
The exhibition invites people to go beyond aesthetic contemplation to learn more about the role gold played in the Ming dynasty, the techniques used in goldsmithing and the significance of motifs and their official symbolism.
Silk Roads at the British Museum, London, ongoing until 23 February 2025 [EXHIBITION]
This major exhibition explores the diverse networks of the Silk Roads from 500 to 1000 CE, showcasing how the exchange of people, goods, and ideas shaped cultures across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Featuring rare objects from regions like Central Asia and stories of historical figures, it highlights the deep interconnectedness of ancient civilizations long before globalization.
A Silk Road Oasis: Life in Ancient Dunhuang at the British Library, London, ongoing until 23 February 2025 [EXHIBITION]
This exhibition explores the rich cultural heritage of Dunhuang, a key Silk Road hub, through the remarkable manuscripts and artefacts of the Mogao Library Cave, which reveal the diverse lives, faiths, and traditions of its inhabitants over a thousand years ago.
Sculpted Celadon of the Goryeo Dynasty at the National Museum of Korea, Seoul, 26 November 2024 – 3 March 2025 [EXHIBITION]
This exhibition highlights examples of sculptural celadon modelled after natural forms, the apex of Goryeo-era celadon, from the National Museum of Korea collection.
Kazakhstan: Treasures of the Great Steppe at the Guimet Museum, Paris, ongoing until 24 March 2025 [EXHIBITION]
The exhibition highlights the rich cultural heritage of Kazakhstan, showcasing artefacts from the Bronze Age to the Kazakh Khanate with immersive displays and soundscapes.
Samurai Spirit: Swords, Accessories and Paintings at the San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, ongoing until 27 July 2025 [EXHIBITION]
This exhibition explores the enduring legacy of Japanese samurai, showcasing their mastery in forging and polishing steel into exquisite weapons like the wakizashi and katana. Alongside these treasured swords, other samurai artefacts highlight the deep cultural appreciation for craftsmanship and the warrior's honourable heritage.
Made in China at the Wereldmuseum Rotterdam, Rotterdam, ongoing until 31 August 2025 [EXHIBITION]
The exhibition presents a blend of historical and contemporary objects, offering a new perspective on creation and mass production.
A Passion for Jade: The Bishop Collection at The Met Fifth Avenue, NYC, ongoing until 4 January 2026 [EXHIBITION]
This exhibition showcases over 100 exquisite jade and hardstone carvings from China and India, illustrating the refined craftsmanship of the Qing dynasty and Mughal artisans, alongside tools and illustrations that reveal traditional jade-working techniques.
Recent Research
Seidōki ga kaeta Yayoi shakai: Tōhoku Ajia no kōeki nettowāku 青銅器が変えた弥生社会: 東北アジアの交易ネットワーク [The transformation of Yayoi society by bronze tools: trade networks in Northeast Asia], A New Book by Daisuke NAKAMURA, Professor, Saitama University
This new book presents a detailed analysis of the profound impact of the introduction of bronze to Japan during the Yayoi period, contextualizing this development within the broader history of East Asia. The core of the discussion is as follows. The book argues that the Yayoi people relied on imports for raw materials for making bronze objects, which meant that the introduction of bronze marked not only the advent of metal implements but also the establishment of a permanent trading network. From this point onwards, the Yayoi polities were subject to the influence of Chinese states and Korean polities. the main intermediary for the trade of raw materials of bronze and iron was the 'clayband-rim pottery culture' in Korea. Immigrants from this culture settled across western Japan, exerting major influence throughout the region, so the book argues.
Ancestral Monumentalization Considerations on the Keyhole-Shaped Tumuli in Korea [ARTICLE]
via. Kervan, Andrea De BENEDITTIS examines the key-hole tumuli discovered in the Yŏngsan River basin, focusing on their significance within the historical context.
Beyond Painted Pottery: A Longue Durée Story of Ceramic Technology in Prehistoric Northwest China [ARTICLE]
via. Archaeometry, Anke HEIN and Ole STILBORG examine ceramic technology in prehistoric Northwest China from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age (c. 3300–600 BCE).
Buddhist Cultural Exchange between Paekche and Ancient Japan: A Comparative Analysis of the Archaeological Remains from the Wooden Pagoda Site at Asukadera and Śarīra Reliquaries from Paekche Temple Sites [ARTICLE]
via Religions, Byongho LEE and Isahaya NAOTO examine the Asuka Historical Museum’s excavation findings from the Asukadera wooden pagoda site, analyzing relics from the Asuka era (538–710 CE) that highlight Buddhist cultural exchanges between Paekche and Japan.
Building Fame through Tea: The Wu Family and the Manufacture of Zisha Teapots during the Ming and Qing Dynasties [ARTICLE]
via. Ming Studies, Xuyang GAO and Anke HEIN explore the Wu family’s role in the origin of zisha teapots and how Ming dynasty literati utilized material culture to bolster family reputation.
Culinary Continuity in Central Japan Across the Transition to Agriculture [ARTICLE]
via. Journal of Archaeological and Anthropological Science, Jasmine LUNDY et al. explores the impact of rice and millet agriculture on the traditional diets of Jōmon hunter-gatherer communities in central Japan.
Enhanced Dietary Reconstruction of Korean Prehistoric Populations by Combining δ13C and δ15N Amino Acids of Bone Collagen [ARTICLE]
via. PLoS ONE, Kyungcheol CHOY et al. employs compound-specific stable isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AA) to refine dietary reconstructions for prehistoric Korean populations.
Nondestructive Analysis of Internal Crystallographic Structures of Japanese Swords Using Neutron Imaging [ARTICLE]
via. Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports, Yoshihiro MATSUMOTO et al. use neutron Bragg-edge transmission imaging and neutron tomography to analyze the internal crystalline structure of Japanese swords.
Pig Domestication and Human Subsistence at the Early Neolithic Site of Guanjia (6100–5500 BCE), Central China [ARTICLE]
via. Journal of Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, Yue YOU examines pig domestication and its role in human subsistence at the early Neolithic site of Guanjia (6100–5500 BCE).
Reconstructing the Trade History: Provenance Study of Han Bronze Mirrors In and Out of Han China [ARTICLE]
via. Journal of Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, Xiang WANG et al. investigates the provenance, production, and trade networks of Han dynasty bronze mirrors (202 BCE – 220 CE) through a comprehensive study of 47 mirrors unearthed in southeastern China.
Tree-Ring Dates of Excavated Wooden Containers Provide a Chronological Framework for the Ancient Capital of Nara in Japan [ARTICLE]
via. Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports, Hitoki MAEDA et al. explores how tree-ring dating of magemono (wooden containers) aids in constructing a chronological framework for the Nara period (710–794 CE) in Japan.
Widespread Horse-Based Mobility Arose Around 2200 BCE in Eurasia [ARTICLE]
via. Nature, Pablo LIBRADO et al. examines the emergence of widespread horse-based mobility in Eurasia around 2200 BCE through an analysis of 475 ancient horse genomes.
Tangut Tombs: Art, Rites, and Afterlife Beliefs in the Great Kingdom of the White and Lofty (1038–1227) [BOOK]
Published by BAR, Diane Wen ZHANG-GOLDBERG provides the first extensive study of Tangut funerary culture outside China, examining the art, rites, and beliefs of the Tangut people.
The Archaeology of Early Colonial Manila: A Hybrid City in Global History [BOOK]
Published by the University Press of Florida, Ellen HSIEH examines how early colonial Manila served as a significant cultural and economic crossroads, highlighting the interactions between Spanish, Indigenous Filipino, and Chinese communities through archaeological findings and historical records.
Asie Centrale 300–850: Des Routes et des Royaumes (Central Asia 300–850: Roads and kingdoms) [BOOK]
Published by Les Belles Lettres, Étienne de la VAISSIÈRE delves into the medieval networks of Central Asia, exploring how nomadic migrations, Buddhist art, trade, and state formation intersected during the early era of globalization.
Ornamental and Decorative Repertoire in the Murals of Kizil (Leipzig Kucha Studies 5) [BOOK]
Published by Dev Publishers & Distributors, Luca De FABRITIIS presents a comprehensive analysis of the decorative motifs in the murals of Kizil, revealing influences from Indian and Iranian art through a typological classification of ornamental fields and friezes, with insights into the stylistic development along the Northern Silk Road.
Precious beyond Measure: A History of Korean Ceramics [BOOK]
Published by Reaktion Books, Beth MCKILLOP and Jane PORTAL provides a comprehensive, richly illustrated history of Korean ceramics, including the latest research in maritime archaeology, kiln excavations, and textual evidence.
Les Routes de la Soie: Entre Vestiges et Imaginaires (The Silk Roads: Between Vestiges And Imaginary Worlds) [CATALOGUE]
Published by Les Editions Snoeck, this book takes readers on a journey through the ancient Silk Roads, exploring historical writings, archaeological discoveries, and the cultural exchanges that defined this significant trade network.
Gold from Dragon City: Masterpieces of Three Yan from Liaoning, 337–436 [CATALOGUE]
Published by Liaoning Fine Arts Publishing House, edited by Willow Weilan HAI, this catalogue showcases masterpieces from the Three Yan period, offering a detailed look into the art and cultural heritage of Liaoning from 337 to 436 CE.
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