We are very pleased to announce that the Journal of Archaeological Science (JAS) and Society for Archaeological Sciences (SAS) Emerging Investigator Award for 2024 has been awarded to Lasse Lukas Platz Herskind for the paper “A computational linguistic methodology for assessing semiotic structure in prehistoric art and the meaning of southern Scandinavian Mesolithic ornamentation”. Follow the DOI for more info: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2024.105969
The paper was selected as an outstanding example of transdisciplinary work, combining computational methods and Mesolithic non-figurative art with linguistics and semiotics. The study provides a novel approach for analysing ancient semiotic systems through art objects and proposes new methodologies for tackling concepts of symbolism, language and communication in prehistoric societies. The paper serves as a strong example of digital humanities, and has a wider impact on understanding intangible heritage and social connectedness in archaeological research.
Author’s comments
“I remain proud of this publication but am nonetheless overwhelmed by the positive feedback it has received. This computational linguistic approach is hopefully only the first in a series of interdisciplinary novelties to prehistoric art research, and it is my hope that fellow researchers will help me explore, improve, and test these ideas.”
Honorable Mentions
Due to very high number and quality of papers this year, the Award Committee decided to announce three Honourable Mentions for the SAS-JAS Emerging Investigator Award 2024:
- Jasmine Vieri for the paper “Beyond baselines of performance: Beta regression models of compositional variability in craft production studies”, cf https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2024.106106. The paper was highlighted as an innovative example of a modelling-based approach for compositional data that can make a significant contribution for the chemical analysis of archaeological artefacts across different material classes.
- Jean Rodier for the paper “Hammerscale and slag inclusions: New insights into metal supply during the early iron Age in Western Europe”, cf https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2023.105925. The paper was highlighted as a groundbreaking microarchaeological study of a type of material that is abundant but understudied, opening new avenues for provenancing archaeological iron.
- Li Kangkang for the paper “Multi-proxy investigations of Bronze Age diet and environment in the hyper-arid eastern Tarim Basin (Lop Nur), northwest China”, cf https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2024.106089. The paper was highlighted as a noteworthy multiproxy biomolecular research tackling the correlations of past foodways and adaptations with extreme environments.
Congratulations to this year's award winner and honorable mentions on their fantastic contributions!