The two-day conference, organised by the IRAAR group, will take place at the University of Edinburgh (UK). This conference explores the multifaceted relationships between humans and stone through an archaeological lens on quarrying, rock-cut architecture/site, and rock art. By addressing challenges of extraction, technological adaptation, and symbolic and practical engagements with rock, as well as heritage and recent research, the event fosters interdisciplinary dialogue on the transformation of rocky landscapes across time and space.

Argument

Background

Over the past decade, an international group of researchers has engaged in discussions regarding the methodological and theoretical complexities of investigating stone quarries and rock-cut sites spanning from prehistory to the present day. The International ReseArch group on quArries and Rock-cut sites (IRAAR), started as a collaborative effort. After several sessions organised at the European Association of Archaeologists symposium (2017-2019), a first meeting, held online in 2021, focused on techniques and methods for analysing carvings, extraction processes and traces of tools left on the rock surfaces. A second event, held in Istanbul in 2024, encompassed a more extensive exploration of the landscapes and environments surrounding rock-cut structures and stone quarries. 

Current conference

We are delighted to call paper proposals for the third conference on quarries and rock-cut sites. The two-day conference, organised by the IRAAR group, will take place at the University of Edinburgh (UK). This conference explores the multifaceted relationships between humans and stone through an archaeological lens on quarrying, rock-cut architecture/site, and rock art. By addressing challenges of extraction, technological adaptation, and symbolic and practical engagements with rock, as well as heritage and recent research, the event fosters interdisciplinary dialogue on the transformation of rocky landscapes across time and space.

The conference invites research contributions focussing on quarries and rock-cut sites of all types (tombs, temples, churches, dwellings, storage spaces) without chronological and geographical limitations. Early career researchers and doctoral students are particularly encouraged to present their case studies or other relevant work.

Paper proposals should broadly align with one or more of the following themes.

Theme 1 – Facing risks: challenges, adaptations, and transformations in quarrying and rock-hewing practices

The first theme addresses the challenges associated with stone extraction or excavation activities. This includes constraints of the physical environment, especially the geological landscape: how geological features influence human engagement with stone, and/or how quarries and rock-cut sites are integrated within their landscape, with an emphasis on the interplay between natural and cultural forces. This theme will also investigate technical adaptations in response to accidents, failures, or unforeseen circumstances, and will consider human resilience and innovation in overcoming challenges encountered in stone-cutting practices.

Theme 2 - Cutting into living rock: dialogue between quarries, rock-cut architecture and rock art studies

Archaeological research into stone quarrying, rock-cut architecture and rock art is diverse and multi-disciplinary. However, these sites share a common characteristic: they are rocky places altered by cutting/anthropic/human activities. Transformed by the irreversible removal of stone, they are places where people have engaged with the inner surfaces and character of rock at various scales and intensities. This theme seeks to draw out these relationships by providing a forum for dialogue between these three research areas.

Theme 3 – Heritage: archaeological quarries and rock-cut sites in the present

The third theme includes ways in which former quarries and sites of stone extraction are at risk from, or present opportunities for, actions in the mitigation of climate change. It will also consider the agency of stone itself in co-creating and influencing the identity and function of these sites over time.

Theme 4 - At the cutting edge: current research on quarries and rock-cut sites

The fourth theme welcomes presentations about methodological innovations in fieldwork or analysis as well as theoretical research dealing with the landscape setting, the technologies, and social practices associated with archaeological quarries and rock-cut sites. 

Submission information

Abstract (max 300 words and one image) should be sent to iraargroup@gmail.com. Deadline December 31, 2025.

Committee Members

• Dr Anaïs Lamesa (University of Edinburgh)
• Dr Guillaume Robin (University of Edinburgh)
• Dr Marie-Elise Porqueddu (French Ministry of Culture)
• Dr Kirsty Lilley (University of Edinburgh)
• Dr Katy Whitaker (Historic England)
• Dr Claudia Sciuto (University of Pisa)
• Dr Ben Russell (University of Edinburgh)