Call for abstracts, conférence internationale : The Anthropology and Archaeology of Body Modification

Co-organisée par Francesco d’Errico, 28, 29 et 30 novembre 2024 au Musée de l’Homme à Paris

Body modification has been a significant cultural practice in both past and present societies, serving as a powerful form of self-expression, identity, and social communication. Historically, various forms of body modification such as tattoos, body piercings, and scarification were used to signify social status, tribal affiliation, rites of passage, and spiritual beliefs. These modifications were deeply embedded in the cultural fabric and carried significant social and spiritual meanings, reinforcing communal bonds and individual identity within a society..
In contemporary societies, body modification continues to play a crucial role in personal and cultural expression, albeit in a more individualistic context. Tattoos, body piercings, and other practices have become mainstream, reflecting personal narratives, artistic expression, and even rebellion against societal norms. Body modification has found a place in the fashion and entertainment industries, influencing trends and challenging traditional beauty standards. In both historical and modern contexts, body modification serves as a testament to the enduring human desire to manipulate and adorn the body as a canvas for cultural expression, personal identity, and social communication.
We are delighted to announce an upcoming conference dedicated to the exploration of this topic. This unique event will serve as a premier platform for presenting cutting-edge research on a wide array of body modifications, including cranial modification, teeth filing, tattooing, scarification, body piercing, genital modification and more.

About the Conference

The conference will delve into the rich, yet insufficiently explored, archaeological anthropological, ethnographic, and historical evidence, to offer a comprehensive understanding of both past and present body modification practices. This multidisciplinary approach aims to foster an engaging dialogue between academics and practitioners from diverse fields.
This event is organized in conjunction with the publication of the ‘Oxford Handbook of the Anthropology and Archaeology of Body Modification’, edited by Franz Manni and Francesco d’Errico (France).

Attendees are encouraged to review the chapters from this handbook to gain deeper insights into the topics that will be addressed. Access the handbook here: Oxford Handbook of The Anthropology and Archaeology of Body Modification.
English is the language of the conference.
There will be no Internet diffusion.