The ARTHA Workshop in Vienna. 21–22 September 2026
On 21–22 September 2026, the ARTHA project brought together researchers and specialists for a two-day workshop dedicated to exploring and developing German and Czech translations of key terminology and concepts in archaeothanatology. Hosted at the historic Otto Wagner Postsparkasse in Vienna, the event provided an opportunity for participants to exchange knowledge, discuss terminological challenges, and work collaboratively towards a shared German-language vocabulary for this field of research.
The first day began with an introduction to the ARTHA project by Caroline Partiot. Nina Grisot, Head of the Scientific and University Cooperation Department at the French Institute of the French Embassy, then presented the PHC programme. This opening session provided an overview of the project's previous activities, introduced the workshop's objectives, and outlined the programme for the two days.
The morning continued with a hybrid lecture by Fanny Bocquentin (CNRS, UMR 8068 Temps), entitled "From Burial to Ancestors: Unveiling the Invisible and Reconstructing Social Dynamics in Epipaleolithic Southwestern Asia". The lecture offered a broader archaeological perspective on burial practices and the reconstruction of past social dynamics, complementing the workshop's focus on the concepts and terminology used in archaeothanatology. It welcomed 30 participants in person and 10 online via Zoom.
In the afternoon, participants divided into smaller working groups to address the translation of key concepts in archaeothanatology into German. These sessions formed the core of the workshop, allowing participants to examine specific terms, compare interpretations, and discuss how best to convey the concepts underlying archaeothanatological approaches in another language. On the second day, interested participants also had the opportunity to visit the laboratory, providing an additional opportunity to discover the research environment and exchange ideas.
The workshop concluded with a plenary session, during which the different groups presented and discussed their results. This collective discussion brought together the proposals developed during the two days and provided an opportunity to reflect on the terminology choices and questions that had emerged throughout the workshop. The closing remarks offered an opportunity to thank all participants for their contributions and engagement.
We would like to thank all participants, both in Vienna and online, for their contributions and for making these two days of discussion and collaboration possible.