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01 Jul 2013 by lbiarchpro

10th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection – AP2013

Between May 29th and June 2nd 2013 the LBI ArchPro and the Austrian Academy of Sciences hosted the ‘10th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection’ (AP2013) on behalf of the International Society for Archaeological Prospection (ISAP) and the Aerial Archaeology Research.

Over five days the conference successfully provided a forum for 250 participants from all over the globe including renowned experts, experienced professionals as well as young aspiring researchers and students in geophysics, archaeology and computing who shared, discussed and learned about recent developments and cutting-edge research in the multi-disciplinary field of archaeological prospection.

The conference was opened by Wolfgang Neubauer, Director of the LBI ArchPro, and Claudia Lingner, Director of the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft who emphasised the importance of being familiar with new technologies, as well as the need for disseminating this knowledge and the importance of providing research opportunities. Their welcome notes were followed by virtual keynotes by the pioneers of archaeological prospection Martin Aitken, Irwin Scollar, Albert Hesse, Mike Tite, John C. Belshé, Yasushi Nishimura, Otto Braasch and Helmut Becker – the undeniable luminaries of this field of research.

The scientific programme comprised 10 oral session and 2 poster/multimedia-sessions held at the main conference venue. A total of 160 presentations covered the entire spectrum of methodology and technology applied to the detection, localization and investigation of (buried) cultural heritage (aerial photography, remote sensing, LiDAR, near surface geophysics, data processing, visualization and archaeological interpretation) while the focus was laid on integrative approaches which exploit the diversity of all data and information necessary for the visualization and interpretation of archaeological and historical monuments, structures and entire archaeological landscapes. Each contribution was also featured as extended abstract in the AP13 conference proceedings published by the LBI ArchPro and the Austrian Academy of Sciences Press. The overwhelming number of presentations resulted in a volume notable for both its size and content which gives an excellent overview of the latest advancements in the field of non-invasive archaeological prospection.

During the conference an attractive social programme organised by the LBI ArchPro provided many opportunities to network with colleagues and friends in a sociable atmosphere. The welcome party was the first of several occasion to enjoy a glass of the conference’s own wine while on Friday night the LBI staff swapped research for entertainment as they got busy behind the bar serving pints of beer to the cheerful and talkative conference crowd at the Researchers’ Pub. The conference exhibition area was well-frequented by an international selection of exhibitors which attracted keen interest among the participants especially during the coffee breaks.

The first of the two excursions scheduled during the conference led to the Heldenberg Museum in the Weinviertel region of Lower Austria; despite low temperatures and pouring rain people kept cheerful and warm which was not only due to the interesting tour of the open-air exhibition with reconstructed Neolithic houses and circular enclosure system but probably also to the wine and schnaps tasting stand at the museum and the “Heurigen”-style banquet at Poysdorf. On the last day of the conference a visit to the Archaeological Park in Carnuntum gave an impressive glimpse of this archaeologically significant landscape to the east of Vienna. The event was then closed by a reception given by the Federal Government of Lower Austria at the Kulturfabrik Hainburg where results and future plans of the landscape prospection project “ArchPro Carnuntum” were presented and – once more – everybody indulged in the culinary delights of the regional cuisine.

For the organisation of this successful event the LBI ArchPro received a certificate by the City of Vienna and the Vienna Convention Bureau.