As a new consultation unit we plan two sessions for San Diego, one thematic and one methodological. While part of the program is already invited, we call scholars who work on the proposed fields to contact us and send their suggestion.
As you recall the SBL AM deadline for submissions is March 6, 2019. Please, contact Dalit Rom-Shiloni (dromshil@tauex.tau.ac.il) ASAP.
(1) The thematic session is devoted to “Crossing Borders between the Wild and the Domestic: Space, Fauna and Flora”
This topic touches upon two or even three areas of nature: spatial issues, fauna, and flora, as we ask how is “wild” defined in ancient Israel? Presenters are asked to address ways in which biblical authors present the wild and the domestic and their interactions. What is the imagery language behind wild? What do biblical authors know of the wild? Is the wild always a threat for human habitats? Do we find the wild as introducing possible benefits for humans? In terms of interdisciplinarity, we are interested in archaeological / archaeobotanical and geographical perspectives on definitions of the wild; the latter could either attend the conference in person or be interviewed and filmed (as we did for Denver 2018, see https://dni.tau.ac.il/publications/).
(2) The methodological study session: “Conceptions of Nature in Literature and Iconography: Methodological Considerations”
In this session, we focus the long-standing discussion on the relationship between written word and pictorial presentation specifically on ancient conceptions of nature. We ask speakers to refer to their decipherment of conceptions of nature in words and in pictures. What could we inter-alia learn from the careful work in each of the disciplines, and from bringing them together also in broader discussions of cognitive studies and art history? We will have four to six speakers (15 min each) and two respondents (20 min each) – an archaeozoologist, who will address the topic: What could archaeozoology contribute to our thoughts on ancient conceptions of nature in both literature and iconography; and a biblical scholar, who will comment on the methodological similarities and distinctions in deciphering literary imagery. Finally, we leave plenty of time for open-floor discussion.
We look forward to comments, suggestions, and to having scholars join us for an inspiring meeting in San Diego, 2019.
