Experiences of destruction and recovery: history, archaeology and legends.

Convenors

Katharine Cashman   Dept of Geological Sciences   University of Oregon   USA   e-mail: cashman@uoregon.edu Shane J. Cronin   Institute of Natural Resources   Massey University   New Zealand   e-mail: s.j.cronin@massey.ac.nz

Description

The scientific discipline of volcanology stemmed from visual observations of momentous and destructive events. Processes were described, codified and thus formalised ("tamed"). Our observational-based science has expanded dramatically over the past 100 years, and now includes models and experiments that have increased our formal understanding of volcanic phenomena. For the aeons of human experience prior to the formalisation of volcano science, however, the only form of volcanology was observational and knowledge was recorded in artwork, scriptures, oral traditions and cultural practices. This cultural store of volcanic knowledge can be both rich and extremely valuable. Oral traditions of volcanism and ancient artworks provide our earliest human insights into volcanic behaviours and extend the length of codified historical observations from decades to centuries to even millennia. Harnessing this information can extend the known history of a specific volcano and thus improve the reliability of future hazard forecasts. Documenting cultural and artistic expressions of volcanic processes can also preserve cultural identity, diversity and tradition. With many indigenous cultures around the world undergoing traditional revivals and scrambling to preserve remains of their ancestors and history, documentation and understanding of as wide a range of cultural and historical records and information on volcanism as possible is crucial for future generations. Alongside anthropological or ethnological studies, archaeology has provided the first insights into the nature of destruction volcanoes can generate. Pompeii and other classical sites bear graphic testament to volcanic hazard impacts. Archaeological studies around the world not only add to our knowledge of how past cultures were impacted by volcanic activity, but also help to understand coping strategies for such hazard events. In both fields of archaeology and volcanology there has been an historical tendency to seek out the dramatic or catastrophic examples of volcano-human interaction. We suggest, however, that there is more to be gained for future generations in understanding how past communities and cultures avoided harm from volcanic events. Here we invite presentations that cover the following questions arising from our current knowledge of this theme: 1. How can traditional or cultural knowledge of volcanic impacts and hazard be brought to light? 2. How can cultural volcanic knowledge be integrated with scientific findings to improve hazard assessment and hazard management planning? 3. What are the modern expressions of popular culture surrounding volcanism and volcanic hazard and how do these help us understand their historical equivalents? 4. What is the time-depth of cultural knowledge of volcanism? 5. How can traditional/cultural knowledge of volcanism be verified? 6. What can archaeological studies tell us about how past cultures adapted and coped with volcanic hazard processes? How were disasters avoided? In addition, any papers that consider the interface between archaeological, ethnological and cultural aspects of volcanology are invited, along with modern studies of volcanic influence on culture and artistic expression.