ASMOSIA IX Conference

Preliminary announcement

ASMOSIA IX
ASMOSIA The 9th International Conference of the
Association for the Study of Marbles and Other Stones In Antiquity

“Interdisciplinary Studies on Ancient Stone”

Special Theme Session: Symbolism of stones - local and imported
materials

Tarragona (Spain), 8-13th June 2009

FIRST CIRCULAR: call for Abstracts
The aim of the conference held in Tarragona is to provide a meeting-point for the
scientific community interested in ancient marbles and stones to discuss and exchange
new data and results about all the aspects related to the study of lithic material used in
Antiquity, whether geological or analytical, archaeological, artistic and historic. A
special theme session titled “Symbolism of stones: local and imported materials” It will
focus on the importance of symbolism in the use of specific stones, either local or
imported.

In particular the subjects of the Conference are grouped under the following sessions:
1. Applications to Specific Archaeological Questions – Use of Marble
2. Provenance Identification I: marble
3. Provenance Identification II: other stones
4. Advances in Provenance Techniques, Methodologies and Databases
5. Quarries and Geology: (Quarrying Techniques, Organization, Transport of
Stones, New Quarries, Stone Carving and Dressing, Quarry Risks and
Preservation)
6. Stone Properties, Weathering Effects and Restoration
7. Pigments and Paintings on Marble, Authenticity testing
8. Special Theme Session: Symbolism of Stones: local and Imported Materials
9. Poster Session I: Applications to Specific Archaeological Questions,
Provenance Identification I and II, Advances in Provenance Techniques,
Methodologies and Databases
10. Poster Session II: Quarries and Geology, Stone Properties, Weathering Effects
and Restoration, Pigments and Paintings on Marble, Special Theme Session.
This conference is organized by the Institut Català d’Arqueologia Clàssica (ICAC)
with the support of Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV).
The papers of the Conference will be published

ABSTRACTS
Abstracts on any of the above subjects must be submitted on a fixed format (see
‘abstracts norms’). They should have a length between 200 and 400 words and briefly
explain the problem, objectives, results and conclusions. This information will help the
Scientific Committee to understand the work involved and to evaluate each paper
suitability as oral or poster presentation.
Papers addressing the suggested subjects in the above sessions, including the special
theme session will be welcome.

Please indicate at the bottom of your abstract sheet:
1. For which designated session your abstract should to be considered
2. If you prefer it to be a poster presentation.

Abstracts should be sent in an electronic form MS-Word document to the following
address: asmosia9@icac.net.

Deadline for abstracts: 30th November 2008

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMM
The dates of the Conference are 8th-13th of June 2009. There will be oral and poster
presentations from the 8th to 11th of June. The Traditional ASMOSIA Association
Members Business Meeting will take place also during these days.
The last two days, 12th and 13th, will be devoted to field trips to the quarry sites and
other archaeological remains at Tarragona and its surrounding territory. They will
consist on guided visits in small groups to the highlights of ancient Tarraco heritage
including the Roman circus, the Roman amphitheatre, the Roman walls, the Forum
Provincialis and the Praetorium as well as the Roman quarry of El Mèdol, where traces
of ancient extraction are still visible and a monolith left shows the original ground level.
Other smaller Roman quarries located both at the interior and coastline will be also
included on these trips. Besides, guided tours to the collections deposited at the main
museums of Tarragona will be offered.

Program and details on the field trips, visits and optional events will be announced later.

REGISTRATION (see registration form)
Full registration fee: 60€ (80€ after January 31st 2009)
Student registration fee: 30€ (50€ after January 31st 2009)
Guest registration fee: 30€ (50€ after January 31st 2009)

Full registration includes:
- attendance and stationery,
- book of abstracts,
- coffee-breaks,
- welcome reception,
- guided visits to main archaeological sites
- free entrance to the museums of Tarragona

Student registration includes the same as above.
Guest registration fee includes:
- attendance
- coffee-breaks,
- welcome reception
- guided visits to main archaeological sites
- free entrance to the museums of Tarragona
Submission of registration forms deadline is the 31st January 2009

LOCATION
The town of Tarragona, ancient Tarraco and capital city of the Hispania Tarraconensis
province, will be hosting the Conference. It is located at the northeast coast of Spain,
about 100 km south from Barcelona. It lays on a small hill next to the Mediterranean
Sea where an early Roman town was founded in 218 BC.
Tarragona is rich not only in urban archaeological heritage (it was declared World
Heritage by the UNESCO in 2000) but also in research projects focusing on ancient
archaeology. Nowadays it is the place of the recently created Institut Català
d’Arqueologia Clàssica (ICAC). The sessions will be held at the facilities of this Institute
and at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV). Both of them are located on the heart of
the old town, within 5 minutes walk, and include modern conference rooms equipped
with the last technology.

Its warm Mediterranean climate as well as the town’s tourist and heritage attraction are
a great complement to the social life involved in an event of these characteristics.

HOW TO REACH TARRAGONA:
1. by plane
• fly to Barcelona airport (El Prat Airport) and either take a bus (directly from the
airport to Tarragona or from Estació del Nord Coach station in Barcelona city
center), a train or rent a car. Finally you could also rent a car at the same airport
• fly to the local airport of Reus (about 5 km) which holds lots of charter flights
as well as several Ryanair connections. From the airport take a taxi to
Tarragona city center. The journey lasts about 10 minutes

2. by train
• All the trains going south (either Tortosa or Reus) from Sants Railway
Station in Barcelona stop at Tarragona. The frecuency of departures is high
and there are several categories of trains that cover this line and the prices
vary significantly according to which one you take (the ones called
“Regionales” and “Catalunya Express” are cheaper while the “Talgo”,
“Euromed” and “Altaria” are much more expensive).
• Take the AVE train either from Barcelona or Madrid train and stop at “Camp
de Tarragona” station. From there take a taxi to Tarragona city center.

3. by coach
• ALSA coaches (www.alsa.es) and PLANA coaches (www.empresaplana.es)
depart for Tarragona every now and then either from the same airport or
Estació del Nord Coach station. The fares are also inexpensive.

4. by car
• from Barcelona by taking either the AP-7 or the C-33 motorways.
Both coach and train stations are about a walking distance of 15-30 minutes from
the Conference venue. Besides, the existence of several parking areas at the
outskirts of the old town centre makes it easy to reach the Conference site by car.
Therefore, it is very easy to reach the place to hold the sessions whatever way the
participants choose to use.

ACCOMODATION
Tarragona and its immediate surroundings are a very important tourist destination.
There are a wide variety of hotels and accommodation facilities at Tarragona or at
small distance from it. They range from budget to expensive, but there are also
several hostels and guest rooms.
Tourism in Tarragona on June is very important. Make your reservations as soon
as possible and at least before February to be sure to find a room. The Tourism
Office Website is very helpful in informing and facilitating reservations. Contact
them as soon as possible (www.tarragonaturisme.es).

GENERAL INFORMATION
For any question or other information, please contact:
Dr. Anna Gutierrez
Unitat d’Estudis Arqueomètrics
Institut Català d’Arqueologia Clàssica (ICAC)
Pl. Rovellat, s/n
43003 Tarragona (Spain)
Email: asmosia9@icac.net