Letter of Application (250 words) 2 Detailed Research Project Proposal (1500 words) 3-8 Interdisciplinary Conference Outline (500 words) 9 Curriculum Vitae 10-17
2
Letter of Application: Experience & Interests To the Panel, I specialise in West African archaeology and social anthropology, with particular interests in the materiality of medico-religious practices, substances, spaces and beliefs, as well as syncretism between distinct medical cultures. I am particularly interested in the complex interconnections between savannah and forest medical cultures in Ghana, from their earliest historic period on the periphery of trans-Saharan trade routes, through to the era of Atlantic contact and beyond. Thus I am fascinated by continuity and change in medical cultures, how such inferences may be accessed archaeologically and ways these understandings can be articulated for diverse audiences in relation to present and future well-being. Much of my research experience has been on the interface between archaeology and anthropology, applying an archaeological ethnographic approach to engagement with indigenous medicine specialists in Accra, Ghana (2010/11) and in related work among Manchesters African community (2013/14). These interests stem from fieldwork on Tim Insoll and Ben Kankpeyengs Talensi medicine project in northern Ghana (2007) where alongside interviews with elders I applied ethnobotanical surveys to identify archaeological sites in the landscape. Novel and interdisciplinary lines of enquiry are at the core of my approach with staff in the UoM Material and Life Sciences I have collaborated on a range of residue analysis projects, including Profs. Insoll and Kankpeyengs Talensi shrine (2004-11) and Koma Land medico-religious figurine (2012-14) research. I am thus equally interested in accessing subjective ethnography and empirical study of ecofacts and material culture, ideally through partnership with Ghanaian colleagues in a way which brings positive impacts for local stakeholders.
Sincerely,
Bryn Trevelyan James
3
POWERF UL PL ANT S : T HE ARCHAEOL OGY OF MEDI CO- REL I GI OUS PL ANT US E I N S OUT HERN GHANA The archaeology of African medicine is poorly understood, particularly in relation to the material culture of herbalism. However, across Ghana historic and contemporary importance of efficacious plant species can be read in the landscape through survival and active curation of ancestral forests and sacred groves. In south-eastern Ghana, such communal medico-religious practices have resulted in human-environmental interactions preserving around 800 islands of biodiversity. Working in partnership with Ghanaian colleagues, a selection of these sites closely associated with recent excavations producing evidence of medicinal practices has been identified. This study proposes combining contemporary ethnobotany and palaeobotanical coring at sacred groves with the latest analytical protocols for residue analysis of excavated materials, through which a diachronic perspective on regional herbal plant species use since 1200 C.E. can be reached. The significance of this project lies in detecting continuities and changes in botanical composition of groves and medicines overtime, how these may be linked to healing and ritual practices, and what this says about indigenous knowledge cultures, past and present. Consequently, relevance to Anniversary Fellowship themes aligns closely with interests concerning human- environment interaction, material culture and heritage.
RES EARCH QUEST I ONS Can we detect botanical composition changes at sites and sacred groves over time and link these to medicinal and ritual practices? What does this imply for human-environment interactions in the region? Can a firm set of methodologies and analytical protocols using latest techniquesbe refined for investigating the palaeobotany of indigenous medicine? Particularly via residue analysis? Did groups in the region have a shared medical material culture as suggested by linguistic and other evidence? Is there evidence of exotic (botanically non-local) species becoming integrated within indigenous pharmacopeia?
T HEORET I CAL CONT EXT Bias against material understandings of healing in African anthropology limits archaeological investigation of medicine (Morris 2011). In order to broaden interpretive perspectives, particularly of comparatively neglected areas like herbalism, a theoretical framework open to a wider range of analogy is necessary (Insoll 2011). Here, ethnoarchaeology is rejected as research strategy, not theory, and the emerging field of archaeological ethnography identified as a better suited space (Hamilakis & Anagnostopoulos 2009). Drawing inspiration from the Material-Culture Turn, this project is thus situated on the interface between archaeology and anthropology, encompassing both empirically- driven methodologies, and valorising indigenous and alternate archaeologies including the voices of contemporary healing practitioners. Ghanas position on the periphery of trans-Saharan trade routes, and later as a centre for Atlantic networks, impels engagement with world-systems theory and 4
post-colonial theory. However, given the research aims proposed, historic particularism underpins the projects theoretical approach.
MET HODOL OGY Contemporary ethnobotanical reports and palaeobotanical findings from sacred grove soil coring programmes will provide benchmark data framing residue analysis of excavated materials from spatially-related archaeological sites. Combining the three data sets, a diachronic perspective on regional herbal plant species use can be interpretively accessed. Ethnobotanical methodology Existing ethnobotanical data is available for each site in partnership with Ghanaian archaeologists. Following the established Healers Tools methodology, this will be supplemented by additional semi- structured interviews with local indigenous medicine specialists and on-site collection of plant specimens, to be identified by Daniel Abbiw of the University of Ghana (UoG) Herbarium. Dr Rachel Webster, Curator of Botany, Manchester Museum, will provide consultant support. Coring programme To be undertaken in sacred groves for purpose of pollen analysis, working in co-operation with David Atta-Peters (UoG) an archaeobotanist with palaeobotanical interests. Adopting a belt transect method, coring of groves will be conducted via stratified random quadrant sampling taking 2-3 cores and 1 surface sample per km 2 , using a manually-powered soil coring auger. The device recovers soil samples 8cm in diameter by 10cm in length and is capable of recovering cores up to 4m in depth, sufficient for (and beyond) the time period studied. Soil cores will be subsampled for pollen analysis and prepared for transport in plastic liners sealed with fluoropolymer swatches. Residue analysis Using laboratory resources at the University of Cambridge,excavated materials selected in partnership with Ghanaian colleagues will undergo residue analysis for botanical identification. This cannot currently be done in Ghana the only archaeobotanical laboratory in West Africa being Professor Sowunmis, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Multiproxy studies combining the following have proved particularly useful when applied to non-conventional residue evidence: plant microfossils; stable C and N isotopes; lipids, proteins and carbohydrates analyses; mineralogical analysis (e.g. FTIR). Key assets: George Pitt-Rivers Laboratory for Bioarchaeology; Glyn Daniel Laboratory for Archaeogenetics; Dorothy Garrod Laboratory for Isotopic Analysis.
Feasibility of accessing past herbal medicine practices via these methodologies is indicated by recent Africanist studies including: Nixon, Murray & Fuller (2011); Van der Veen (2011); Day (2013); Giachi et al. (2013); Insoll, MacLean & Kankpeyeng (2013). 5
ARCHAEOL OGI CAL EXCAVAT I ONS & S ACRED GROVE S I T ES
Site Predominant Ethnic Group Occupation Dates Archaeological Excavations Excavated Material Storage Location Krobo Mountain Site (0 05E - 6 05N) Ga-Dangme c.a. 1200 1900 C.E. (Precise AMS dates available soon.) Ongoing Krobo Mountain Archaeological Research Project led by William Gblerkpor
10 medicine pots; 5 grinding stones; shrine accoutrements
University of Ghana, Legon * Associated with ancestral forests, sacred groves (c. 1.5-2 km 2 total), caves and rock shelters at the Krobo Mountain Reserve. Also related to Osu Doku Hill archaeological site.
Shai Hills Site (5 54N - 0 4W) Ga-Dangme c.a. 1500 to 1892 C.E. James Anquandah, 1980-90 4 medicine pots; 3 grinding stones
National Museum of Ghana stores * Associated with sacred groves (c. 2 km 2 total), shrines and ancestral caves at Shai Hi lls Resource Reserve and Shai Hills Production Reserve.
Accra Plains Katamansu Shrine (5 52N - 0 06'W) Ga 18 th to 19 th
century C.E. Wazi Apoh and Kodzo Gavua, 2000- 2001 5 medicine pots; 7 grinding stones; 2 brass vessels; 1 European vessel; a medicine mans wares
University of Ghana, Legon * Associated with the Pinkwai Forest sacred grove, a 1 km 2 area of dense vegetation.
Publications detailing these sites and materials include: Anquandah (1997); Apoh & Gavua (2010); Gblerkpor (2008, 2011).
Extended bibliography available on request.
Permission status: All research permits and co-operation is in place thanks to long-term partnerships with the University of Ghana, Legon, and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.
6
NECES S ARY RESOURCES Applications to the McDonald Grants and Awards fund will be made to cover these costs over three years. Existing personal equipment will be carried over. AMS-Samples Stainless Steel Environmental Soil Auger Sampling Kit [No. 209.56] 1341.10 3x return flights. Heathrow to Accra, Ghana 1560 Multiple Entry Visa (2 years) 160 6 months subsistence in Ghana at 20 per day (based on prior in-country expenditure) 3600 Research Associate/Translator remuneration (Elvis Aboluah) 1800 Laboratory testing (based on provisional estimates) 6500 14961
PROJ ECT T I MEL I NE
October 2014 * Nov.-Dec. Fieldwork: preliminary site surveys
2015 * Jan.-Feb. Initial ethnobotanical and palaeobotanical fieldwork Collect materials for residue analysis, initiate upon return to UK Begin organising conference Analyse initial fieldwork findings * Sept.-Nov. Conclude ethnobotanical and palaeobotanical fieldwork
2016 Analyse fieldwork findings, conclude archaeological residue analysis Begin writing up results, publishing initial articles * Mid-late 2016, hold interdisciplinary conference
Late 2016 through 2017 Write-up and publish findings as journal articles Edit conference publication
7
ANT I CI PAT ED OUT COMES
Grey-literature reports on each sites provisional palaeobotanical and ethnobotanical findings.
Four journal articles publishing: (1) palaeobotanical and ethnobotanical findings [Anthropology and Medicine]; (2) residue analysis outcomes [Journal of Archaeological Science]; (3) case-orientated methodological framework for medico-religious palaeobotanical research [Journal of Experimental Botany]; (4) study-overview consolidating programme findings [Cambridge Archaeological Journal].
Joint publications with Ghanaian colleagues on specific sites [e.g. Nyame Akuma].
Edited volume from conference [McDonald Institute publication or BAR, etc.]
Additional
Where appropriate, text panels at sites in English and Twi outlining heritage features and pointing to their value for understanding past and future community wellbeing.
Cabinet display on African medicine at the National Museum of Ghana, Accra consisting of listed excavated materials along with contemporary images and narratives from the sites.
F EAS I BI L I TY
Methodology potential for studies combining archaeobotanical and multiproxy residue analysis to access African plant medicine practices archaeological established by recent literature (see page 3).
Materials relevant materials from key sites are already identified, located and accessible. Necessary permissions and interdepartmental partnerships are in place (see page 4).
Outcomes journal preparation workload and timescales are in-line with prior writing and publication trajectories as are additional public-facing outcomes.
RES EARCH COL LABORAT ORS ( a b b r e v i a t e d ) Note: Prospective Cambridge collaborators are those colleagues whose experience of the laboratory assets it would be beneficial to share.
Internal Collaborators
External Collaborators Emma Lightfoot (http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/directory /elfl2)
Bart Van Dongen (University of Manchester) (http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/bart.vandongen/)
Martin Jones (http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/directory /mkj12/) Benjamin Kankpeyeng (University of Ghana) (http://www.ug.edu.gh/index1.php?linkid=596§ionid= 827&page=3) 8
Sammy Nkumbaan (University of Ghana) (https://www.linkedin.com/pub/sammy- nkumbaan/67/681/b30)
Tim Insoll (University of Manchester) (http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/Tim.insoll/)
William Gblerkpo (University of Texas/University of Ghana) (http://www.utexas.edu/cola/depts/anthropology/Graduat e-Program/profile.php?id=wng239)
Top: View of Krobo Mountain from the southeast, showing sacred grove site. Left: Recently abandoned shrine site, Shai Hills. Right: Kasitsote vessels, used for ritual and medical purposes, excavated at Krobo Mountain. (Photos used with permission from William Narteh Gblerkpor.) 9
POWERF UL PL ANT S : CONT EMPORARY & T EMPORAL PERS PECT I VES ON RI T UAL & MEDI CI NAL PL ANT S I N WES T AF RI CA Recent years have seen an emerging interest amongst Africanist researchers across disciplines in the materiality of medico-religious plants, their socio-economic biographies and complex roles in human- environment interactions. Amongst archaeologists this has led to increasing interest in understanding narratives and processes of medico-religious plant use derived from material-culture and palaeobotanical evidence. Anthropologists and ethnobotanists meanwhile have given substantial attention to ways in which ritual and curative uses of plants shape and maintain symbolic and empirical human-environment relationships. These streams of research are strongly convergent and archaeological science is adding temporal depth to this scholarship with the development of increasingly sophisticated analytical protocols. The open time frame considered by this conference is directed at encouraging a wide diversity of interdisciplinary contributions for discussion, illustration and comparison. Particularly sought are papers building on recent research or introducing new conceptual or analytical ways of interpreting the material culture of ritual and medicinal plant practices and relationships of these to human-environment interactions across West Africa and beyond. The conference has been devised to review the progress of scholarship which ground the perceptions of these relationships in the sciences and humanities and explore and critically appraise newly emerging methodologies, theories and engagement practices. Participants are invited to contribute to this stimulating meeting from across the sciences and humanities, as well as from heritage bodies, museum groups, commercial consultancies and other disciplines. Crucially, since we intend this event to articulate why understanding past and contemporary use of plant resources in Africa is important for the present and future health of the world as a whole, we would like the event to be as inclusive and enjoyable as possible. As such, we encourage the attendance of undergraduates and interested members of the public with alternate perspectives which may expand exchange of knowledge in this field. The meeting will be organised to cover five main themes: 1) Biographies and narratives of medico-religious plants 2) The material culture of powerful plants in West Africa 3) Human-environment interactions: material, sensory and landscape approaches 4) Recent developments in analytical protocols 5) Plants and wellbeing: new approaches and theoretical perspectives Each theme will be applied to both A paper session consisting of two 15-20 minute presentations. A round table dialogue comprising several 10 minute presentations, following which the session will be open to discussion from all participants. Sessions will be filmed with speakers permission and made available as podcasts. A final plenary session bringing all participants together will report back on findings and contributions from individual sessions, ending with identification of key topics, potential collaborations and necessary future research directions. Additionally, there will be a poster exhibition, in which research relating to any of the above aspects can be presented. Particularly encouraged are poster submissions from undergraduates and post-graduates. Publication of the proceedings is planned, splitting papers into sections covering the five themes co-edited by contributors, with an introduction and conclusion reflecting overall findings from the plenary session. 10
Date of Birth 10 September 1986. Current Role University of Manchester, Graduate Teaching Assistant (2010)/Lecturer (2013) | Manchester Museum, Researcher in Residence (2013) | De Gruyter Publishing, Assistant Editor, Open Archaeology, (2014). EDUCAT I ON & QUAL I F I CAT I ONS UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, 2005-2013 PhD Archaeology (A1 Pass No Cor rections, March 2014) Doctoral thesis: The Healer's Tools: A study of Material Assemblages amongst Healing Practitioners in Ghana and their Archaeological Implications. Supervisor: Professor Tim Insoll. Examiners: Professors Brian Morris and Colin Richards. Received full fees and bursary award from University of Manchester Humanities Endowment Scholarship (Theme: Culture, Identity and Change). Fieldwork funded by the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) in 2010 and again in 2011.
MA Archaeology of Identity: Disti nction (Covering theoretical, political and ethical issues in the study of identity, including ethnicity, nationalism, religion, gender and sexuality.) Thesis: Broadening Perspectives on Indigenous Healing: Bori Spirit Possession Among the Hausa. Supervisor: Professor Tim Insoll. Received full fees award from Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
BA (Hons.) Archaeology: Fi rst Placed top within stream for both first year Moderation and Final Honours Schools. John Ryland award for academic achievement.
COWBRIDGE SIXTH-FORM, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, 2003-2005 A-Level Biology, Chemistry, History, Maths (A). Granted unconditional offer to University of Manchester.
COWBRIDGE COMPREHENSIVE, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, 1998-2003 13 GCSEs (A/A*).
ACADEMI C PUBL I CAT I ONS
In Prep.
Insoll, T., Trevelyan James, B., Linseele, V., and Gasson, P. In Preparation. Eclectic Materiality: A Healers Basket from East Africa in the Manchester Museum. An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used by Migrant Healers in Accra, Ghana. In Preparation.Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Thinking Through Collection: Curating Public Engagements with West African Medicine Assemblages. In Preparation. World Archaeology, Collection Special Issue, 48: 2. Images of the Other: The Role of Turawa Spirits in Constructing Hausa Conceptions of European Ethnicity. Under Peer Review. Open Archaeology. 11
2014 Writing Stones and Secret Shrines: An Exploration of the Materialisation of Indigenous & Islamic Beliefs within West African Spiritual Medicine. In Gemi-Iordanou, E., Gordon, S., Matthew, R., McInnes, E. &Pettitt, R. (eds.) Medicine, Healing, Performance: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Medicine and Material Culture. Oxford: Oxbow. 136-159 The Spirit of the Plant: Exotic Ethnopharmacopeia Among Indigenous Healers in Madina, Accra. Anthropology Matters. (In press 2014) Cikiand jiki: The Inner and Outer layers of West African Islamic healers workspaces. In Armitage, N. &Houlbrook, C. The Materiality of Magic: An Artifactual Investigation into Ritual Practices and Popular Beliefs. Oxford: Oxbow. (Forthcoming 2014) Exploring African Medicine, Health & Well-being: Workshop Programme Toolkit. Manchester: Manchester Museum. Researcher in Residence Programme, Exploring African Medicine, Midway Report to Funders. Manchester: ArtsMethods/RCUK & SALC. 2013 Trading Well-Being: The Materiality of Medicine and Religion at a Healers Market, Accra, Ghana, exhibition catalogue, 20 August - 20 November 2012, Manchester Museum, Manchester. Sacred Groves, Home to Herbs & Spirits; Ritual for Sale. Wares of a Medicine Supplier's Stall; By Gods Power A Healers Sign Board; Cooking the Witch's Medicine; The Medicine is in my Hands. Royal Anthropological Institutes Education Outreach Programme. Anthropological Fieldwork: Africa. London: Royal Anthropological Institute.
Web. 17 April 2013 http://www.flickr.com/photos/raieducation/ 2012 Exotic Ethnopharmacopia and Traditional Healing in Madina, Accra. Proceeding of 2 nd Royal Anthropological Institute Postgraduate Conference, 13 th September 2012. University of Kent, UK. EmslieHorniman Award, Discursive Report for Public Dissemination. The Healers Tools A Study of Material Assemblages amongst Traditional Practitioners in Ghana and their Archaeological Implications. London: Royal Anthropological Institute.
Web. 21 May 2012 www.therai.org.uk/past-awards/emslie-horniman-award-bryn-james/ 2011 EmslieHorniman Award, The Healers Tools, Post-2010 Fieldwork & 2011 Interim Report to Trustees. London: Royal Anthropological Institute. 2010 The materialisation of indigenous & Islamic beliefs within West African spiritual medicine. Proceeding of the Medicine, Healing & Performance session at the 32 nd Annual Conference of the Theoretical Archaeology Group, 17 th -19 th December 2010. University of Bristol, UK. EmslieHorniman Award, The Healers Tools, 2010 Interim Report to Trustees. London: Royal Anthropological Institute. S EL ECT ED CONFERENCES & PRESENT ATI ONS
2014
Guest speaker, Centre for African Studies Basel (CASB) Workshop Research, Exhibitions and African History, University of Basel, Paper Title TBA, 25 th October 2014. Opening speaker, Researcher in Residence Conference, Manchester Museum, The Researcher in Residence Programme: Exploring African Medicine @ Manchester Museum, 16 th June 2014. 12
Guest speaker, RCUK Researcher Development Day, Manchester Business School, Researcher Development at UoM: The Researcher in Residence Programme, 14 th May 2014. Conference organiser (funded by SALC &ArtsMethods) and speaker, Exploring African Medicinal and Religious Objects @ Manchester Museum, a part of Manchester Histories Festival, Manchester Museum, Thinking Through Collection: Reflections on the Recently Completed Healers Tools Project, 22 nd March 2014. 2013 Guest speaker, African Archaeology Research Day 2013,University of East Anglia, Africas Material Culture Past and Present, Medicine in their Hands: The Potential Role of Contemporary Healers in Broadening Interpretive Perspectives on the Materiality of Medicine and Ritual, 1 st -2 nd November.
Guest speaker, Trading Well-being: The Materiality of Medicine and Religion at a Healers Market, Accra, Ghana in the Manchester Museum Collection Bites Seminar Series, Manchester Museum, November 2013.
Guest speaker, Royal Anthropological Institute Horniman Day at the Horniman Museum, London, The Healers Tools: Exploring the Materiality of Healing in Accra, Ghana, 25 th October 2013. Social Networking since 1600: Current research and new perspectives, University of Manchester, Presented Entering restricted social networks of indigenous healing knowledge and practice in Accra, Ghana, 24 th May 2013 14 th Annual Researching Africa Day Workshop, Researching Africa: The Follow of Research?, University of Oxford, Presented Accessing secret medicinal knowledge: The challenge of engaging with traditional healers in Ghana, 23 rd February 2013. Guest speaker, An interpretive thick text approach to broadening archaeological perspectives on traditional healing in sub-Saharan Africa, in the African Peoples and Pasts Seminar Series, University College London, 17 January 2013. 2012 The 34th Annual Conference of the Theoretical Archaeology Group, University of Liverpool, Session: "The Materiality of Magic: An artifactual investigation into ritual practices and popular beliefs, Presenting Ciki and jiki: The Inner and Outer layers of Islamic healers workspaces in Madina, Accra, 17 to 19 December, 2012. Organised symposiums on Joint Anthropology-Archaeology Events at the Social Anthropology Seminar Series 2012/13, University of Manchester, 15 Oct. & 5 Nov. 2012. Care In The Past: Archaeological and Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Durham University, Presented The use of herbal remedies in treatment and care by traditional healers in Ghana, 6 October 2012. The 2nd Royal Anthropological Institute Postgraduate Conference, University of Kent, Session: Environmental Frontiers, Presented The Spirit of the Plant: Exotic Ethnopharmacopia Among Traditional Healers in Madina, Accra, 13 September 2012. Guest speaker, The materiality of ethnomedicine among migrant healers in Ghana, preliminary findings, in the Archaeology Postgraduate Research Seminar Series 2011/12, University of Manchester, 16 April 2012. 2011 Organised Archaeology Postgraduate Seminar Series 2010/11, University of Manchester, September 2010 June 2011. Media.Manchester Science Festival 2012, Images of Research Photo Competition, Runner Up Prize: The Medicine is in my Hands. Web. 7 Nov. 2012 www.manchesterimagesofresearch.co.uk/the-medicine-is-in-my- hands/ 13
T EACHI NG EXPERI ENCE
Lecturer, Department of Archaeology, University of Manchester, September 2013 Present I teach students at all levels from first-year undergraduates to MA. I am increasingly involved in mentoring and guidance for post-graduates. In the 2013/14 semesters I designed seminars and lectures as a sessional lecturer and co-convenor of the following courses: ARGY60371: The Archaeology of Social Identities (MA) ARGY30502: Theory & Practice in Archaeology Graduate Teaching Assistant & Tutor, Department of Archaeology, Sept. 2010 June 2013 During my postgraduate study at Manchester I was responsible for teaching first, second and third-years in lectures, group seminars and individual tutorials. Theory & Philosophy of Archaeology (2010/11 & 2013/14) Themes in World Archaeology (2011/12) History of Archaeology (2013/14) Additional duties included supporting course leaders, supervising students during field-trips and fieldwork, marking coursework and exams, and liaising between academic staff, office administrators and the student body.
CURRENT RES EARCH I NT EREST S & EXPERI ENCE
Current research interests West African archaeology, anthropology history and culture African medicine, healing and wellbeing Botany, ethnobotany, palaeobotany Archaeological analytical protocols, esp. relating to residue analysis Contemporary engagements: archaeological ethnography and community partnerships Public dissemination: museum and heritage contributions
Employment Lecturer in Archaeology, University of Manchester (sessional) September 2013 Present (11 months) As part of Manchesters archaeology department I work on both independent and collaborative projects supporting archaeological and cultural heritage work for both the university and public and private sector parties in the UK, Europe and Africa. This regularly involves data collection and report writing related to tangible and intangible cultural heritage, building on extensive experience in both the basics of archaeological survey and applied anthropological research, plus over 4 years experience in planning and reporting ethnobotanical and ethnoarchaeological field research.
14
In my current role I have further developed technical and project coordination skills, as well as building knowledge of archaeological analytical protocols through peer interaction and research participation particularly as a founding member of the UoM Archaeological Science Group and a contributing member of the UoM Palaeontology Research Group. As a department staff member I have quickly gained responsibilities, charged with planning and implementing academic events, and bringing fresh ideas to increase departmental impact. Prepared successful proposals for project funding from bodies including RCUK, the Royal Anthropological Institute, SALC Methods Fund and Manchester Histories Festival. Supervisors and funding bodies have commended me on my effectiveness in report preparation, negotiation with heritage associations in the UK and Ghana, and in community liaison skills. Building on multiple seasons of fieldwork, I have managed interdisciplinary teams in the UK and Africa, implementing study area survey programmes, deploying newly developed research materials, including interview sheets, and logging results of community meetings. Developing interest in stakeholder consultations has led to my concurrent position as Researcher in Residence at Manchester Museum.
Researcher in Residence, Manchester Museum, University of Manchester November 2013 Present (9 months) Researcher in Residence responsible for planning and implementing events promoting awareness of, and appreciation for, African healing material culture and practice, past and present. The role involves proposal writing, preparation of detailed event plans, community engagement/consultation, co-ordination of an interdisciplinary team, and liaison with public/private sector clients to secure funding. The role has recently been expanded to include creation of a community exhibition scheduled for September to October 2014. Part of the role has involved reinterpretation of African medico-religious objects from the collection using the latest analytical protocols to better understand substances and species used by indigenous medical cultures. This work has been carried out in collaboration with partners from the University of Manchester Material Sciences Department and colleagues from the Archaeological Science Group (see Insoll, T., Trevelyan James, B., Linseele, V., and Gasson, P. In Preparation.Eclectic Materiality: A Healers Basket from East Africa in the Manchester Museum.)
Project: Exploring African Medico-religious Objects in Manchester Museum,Nov. 2013 Present (Co-Contributors: Dr Rachel Webster, Curator of Botany; Stephen Welsh, Curator of Living Cultures) Using object-orientated methodologies this project brings together academics and the public to re- examine collections of African medicinal and religious artefacts held at Manchester Museum. A conference and ongoing series of workshops have: (i) highlighted important objects from the museum's collection; (ii) examined new scientific approaches used to better understand medicinal materials; and, (iii) critically explored the role of collectors donating African medico-religious artefacts to museum holdings over the years. An exhibition of workshop outcomes is programmed for display at Manchester Museum as part of Black History Month, October 2014.
15
Assistant Editor, Open Archaeology Journal, De Gruyter January 2014 Present (7 months) Assistant Editor supporting the Journal Editor in attracting high quality article manuscripts. The journal encompasses novel, interdisciplinary approaches to archaeological data including archaeological science, theory and interpretation, as well as archaeological heritage management and promotion. Invitation to join the editorial team was extended by Managing Editor Katarzynalusarska based on my research expertise as well as conference and publication record in these areas. The role includes 6 months vocational training leading to certification in Academic Editing from De Gruyter, after which I receive promotion from my current role to Section Editor: African Archaeology. http://degruyteropen.com/people/bjames/
Co-Coordinator, School-University Partnership Initiative (SUPI), Programme: Mapping Interfaces: Archaeology, Ecological Diversity, Sustainability (Director: Dr Stephanie Koerner) January 2014 Present (7 months) This project brings students and teaching staff from three local schools together with University of Manchester based professional archaeologists and museum curators. Using artefacts belonging to the Museums teaching collections, participants will explore questions raised by students projects about: Patterns of similarity and contrast among the ecological histories of different regions. Current practices likely to be impacted by environmental change. Adaptive strategies employed in the past, and means to foster comparable adaptations today. Relating to their continuing importance in todays increasingly globalised world, emphasis falls upon strategies of: mobility, diversification, storage and trade and exchange. Key words: Archaeology, Culture and Ecology, Sustainable Development
S EL ECT ED F I EL DWORK & RES EARCH PROJ ECT S The Healer's Tools Fieldwork Project, Accra, Ghana(Principal Investigator) September October 2010; September November 2011 Principle investigator leading a small team conducting ethnoarchaeological and ethnobotanical research with indigenous healers in a Muslim migrant community of Accra, Ghana. As well as documenting tangible forms of medicinal cultural heritage (material culture, shrines, workspaces, substance acquisition locations etc.) intangible forms of culture traditional healing knowledge/beliefs, innovations and practices were recorded. This included a sample of 141 herbal medicines analysed and reported following ethnopharmacological protocol. Success of the project relied upon bringing fresh ideas at each stage, both through development of new materials for field-research and flexibility in often challenging conditions. The role involved proposal and report writing for which I was commended by the RAI, coordination of a local team (drafting their work plans, schedules and budgets), liaising with government heritage bodies, and community stakeholder engagement/consultation. Methodologically the process included interviews; site survey and mapping; building survey, including identifying, drawing, photographing and interpreting phasing of architectural features; and scientific sampling of medicines. Post-fieldwork analysis made extensive use of Access databases and Excel spreadsheets to quantify and interpret data. 16
Nigeria House Community Project(Principal Investigator) September 2008 June 2009 Principle investigator conducting interviews and attending meetings with members of Manchesters African migrant population, part of a Manchester Museum initiative to enhance community consultation on cultural heritage, specifically health and wellbeing. The role involved preparing project specification/design, outreach and education including preparing display panels, writing up meeting notes, desk-based research to enhance museum collections, data entry, artefact recording, and report writing.
The Archaeology of Medicine Shrines and Substances, Northern Ghana (Director: Prof. Tim Insoll) July August 2007 Assistant site supervisor responsible for training, assisting and monitoring local excavators during an ethnoarchaeological project in Tongo Hills, a remote area of Northern Ghana. Role entailed preparation of a desk-based assessment and implementation of detailed field survey programme of Yaane hill shrine complex. Post-excavation responsibilities included data collection, assisting report preparation and writing, GIS and survey processing, scanning site records and digitising plans/sections.
Besthorpe Quarry Dig, Nottinghamshire (Director: Adam Thompson) June July 2005; June July 2006 Undergraduate site assistant receiving practical training and experience in fieldwork skills as part of an ongoing archaeological programme required under extraction conditions. Working in a collaborative manner, responsibilities included field walking (walk over and transect), assisting ground penetrating radar and resistivity survey, stratigraphic and single context excavation, section drawing and context recording, finds processing, sorting/ordering and cataloguing finds.
GROUPS , AS S OCI AT I ONS & CERTI F I CAT I ONS HonoraryFellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute (FRAI) Member of Manchester Archaeological Science Group Student Member of the Institute for Archaeologists Member of the Society of African Archaeologists Member of the West African Association of Archaeology Student Member of the British Institute in Eastern Africa Student Associate Member of the Association of Social Anthropologists (lapsed) Postgraduate Certificate of Teaching in Higher Education (Higher Education Academy accreditation) Certificate in Practical Filmmaking for Fieldwork (Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology) Certified First Aider (Emergency First Aid at Work, 2010) *Full, clean UK driving license Languages English (Native) / French (Limited working proficiency) / Hausa (Limited working proficiency) 17
REF ERENCES
Prof. Timothy Insoll
Archaeology, School of Arts, Languages, & Cultures, University of Manchester, Mansfield Cooper Building 3.18, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
Tel: 0044 (0) 161 275 3314 Email: Tim.Insoll@manchester.ac.uk Prof. Sian Jones
Archaeology, School of Arts, Languages, & Cultures, University of Manchester, Mansfield Cooper Building 3.17, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
The Importance of Keeping Alive Sustainable Foraging Practices: Wild Vegetables and Herbs Gathered by Afghan Refugees Living in Mansehra District, Pakistan
Traditional Religion and Natural Resources' - A Reflection On The Significance of Indigenous Knowledge Systems On The Utilisation of Natural Resources Among The Ndau People in South-Eastern Zimbabwe