Welcome to WAC-8 Kyoto

 

Kon’nichiwa! On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the Eighth World Archaeological Congress it is my great pleasure to invite colleagues from the globe to come to Kyoto from 28th August to 2nd September 2016. This is the first time that the main conference of WAC has been held in East Asia and we look forward to making it a truly successful and memorable congress.

I feel it a curious turn of fate to have WAC-8, the 30th anniversary of its birth, in Kyoto where the course of archaeology was first founded by Dr. Kosaku Hamada 100 years ago. I myself learned archaeology in this historic city in 1960’s. At that time I, along with other students, was also involved in the democratic movement against the rapidly growing contradiction of capitalism. Students of the time often earnestly discussed the meaning and relevance of archaeology and heritage in contemporary society through their activities in the ‘field’. Some of those discussions are still relevant today, and, I believe, were essentially in to the same spirit as the WAC. Later, I met Dr. Peter Ucko and joined the first WAC Southampton in 1986. Since then, WAC has continued to inspire and stimulate me.

In recent years global crises have compelled communities all over the world to reconsider the sustainability of human societies. Environmental, economic and social issues, against a background of rapid modernization and globalization, are growing and market fundamentalism and neo-liberalism are widening economic disparities in many countries and regions. Busier modern people can’t wait, and tend to see their society with a short-term vision, while celebrating scientific development. Seemingly, archaeologists and heritage managers with respect to the past with their long-term perspective, are expected to engage themselves more in this difficult and challenging time.

Kyoto embodies more than 1,200 years of Japanese history and tradition. It survived a number of disasters including earthquakes, conflicts and wars. The beautiful landscape consisting of temples and shrines, and quiet times within their gardens will be sure to give you a great opportunity to reconsider your study and life. We hope WAC-8 will be a precious time for all delegates to share their experience and wisdom for the benefit of future generations.

Sincerely,

TSUDE Hiroshi

Chair of WAC-8 Kyoto Local Organizing Committee

 

Supporting institutions

Organized by:	WAC-8 Kyoto Local Organizing Committee
Co-Sponsored by:	Science Council of Japan, Kyoto City Government
Managed by:	World Archaeological Congress, NPO WAC Japan
Supported by:
Agency of Cultural Affair (Government of Japan), Kyoto Prefectural Government, Educational Board of Kyoto Prefecture, National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kyoto City International Foundation, Kyoto Convention Bureau, Japanese Archaeological Association, Society of Archaeological Studies, The Anthropological Society of Nippon, Japan Society for Scientific Studies on Cultural Properties, Japan Society for the Conservation of Cultural Properties, Japan Society for West Asian Archaeology, Japan Society for Southeast Asian Archaeology, Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage , Japan Society for Chinese Archaeology, Japanese Centre for South Asian Cultural Heritage, Japanese Society for Cultural HeritageJapanese Association of Museums, Japanese National Committee for International Council of Museums, JAPAN ICOMOS National Committee, Doshisha University Managed by World Archaeological Congress, NPO WAC Japan