The Archaeological Genre Image.
Contemporary Field Photography and Its Place in Western Visual Culture

Session 7 of the 33rd Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference (TRAC)

22–24 October 2025 (held virtually)

Call for papers
(open until 31st August 2025)

A central element of the external representation of almost every contemporary archaeological field campaign is a highly standardized iconographic repertoire of ‘work in progress’ and team photographs. In this aspect, a remarkable iconographic consistency can be observed within the entire spectrum from popular outreach to peer-reviewed specialist publications.

What is the source of the intuitive use of this category of images? A decisive factor seems to be a set of long-lasting visual and ideological traditions, with which any fieldwork photograph engages, at least unconsciously. Apart from an uncritically perpetuated 19th century excavation staging in the colonialist tenor of pioneering expedition imagery, we shall also discuss the extent to which genre representations of peasant field work, manual labor and early industrial production flow into today’s archaeological image production, to name just a few possible examples.

Contributions are sought that bring to light the historically grown sediments of forms, functions and values associated with this supposedly trivial image genre. Through exemplary analyses and iconological in-depth studies, the aim is to narrow down the position of the visual genre of fieldwork photography within the multifaceted fabric of Western iconology. The entire methodological repertoire of visual studies is expressly welcome; the use of other approaches, e.g., science and technology studies, affect theory, or postcolonial critique, might contribute to further clarification.

Responding to the increased interest in the role of photography and other epistemic media in archaeology in recent years (e.g., S. Klamm, Bilder des Vergangenen, 2017; O. Dally, Zur Archäologie der Fotografie, 2017; D. H. Sanders, From Photography to 3D Models and Beyond, 2023), the session undertakes to contribute to a critical examination of prevailing assumptions about, and self-perceptions of Roman and other Archaeologies. Ultimately, it aims to shed new light on the crucial question of what role Archaeology should play within today’s society and its value systems.

Presentations can be given in English or German, with bilingual slides requested in the latter case. Proposals for presentations of up to 20 minutes are requested to be sent to the session organiser, who will decide on session line-up. Deadline: August, 31st 2025.

Session organiser
Dr. Julian Schreyer
Institut für Klassische Archäologie
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Kochstraße 4
D-91054 Erlangen
julian.schreyer@fau.de

Further information
https://www.trac.org.uk/trac-tida-2025/

Figures: Left: Operation of a portable highspeed drill for archaeological fieldwork, 1961 (C. M. Lerici, New Archaeologcal Techniques and International Cooperation in Italy, Expedition, 4,3, 1962, 5-10: 4). Right: Group photo of the Antiochia Expedition, 1933 (A. U. De Giorgi, Ancient Antioch (Cambridge 2016) 27 fig. 1.7).