Hearths, ovens and cooking spaces in the Mediterranean from the Late Prehistory to the Middle Ages (Session 39)- Call for papers
3-6 September 2025, Belgrade, Serbia
Deadline: 6 February 2025
Combustion structures (hearths and ovens) are key features in the domestic spaces of past societies. They are linked to basic daily activities, especially cooking, lighting, or space heating, and their presence largely determines the organisation of daily life. The location of hearths and ovens (inside or outside the house), their different functions and purposes, their relationship with objects and other structures, or their private or public character are matters to be considered in studying households and domestic spaces.
Recently, the application of different analytical techniques has made it possible to investigate various issues related to these structures in greater depth, such as construction techniques and materials, fuels and possible associated activities. Without excluding this type of approach, we intend to delve into social or anthropological aspects related to the use of hearths and ovens by comparing them with current or recent societies.