Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies (IICS) is a research Institute of Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) specializes in studying Vietnam ancient citadels. For years, Archaeologists of Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies have carried out various archaeological excavations at kiln sites in north Vietnam including Chu Đậu, Ngói, Cậy (Hải Dương province), Đương Xá, Quả Cảm (Bắc Ninh province). These new findings contribute significantly to the understanding of historical development and socio-political aspects of Vietnamese ceramics.From those experiences, and from the reality of the research project at Thăng Long Imperial Citadel (Hà Nội), since 2011 up to now, huge efforts have been made to study Asian trading ceramics discovered at Thăng Long Imperial Citadel site.
In that context, Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies plans to organize a panel focusing on Vietnamese ceramics in the context of Asian Trading ceramics. This panel aims to bring together Vietnamese and international scholars specialized in Vietnamese and Asian trading ceramics with novel and multidisciplinary approaches to address the following issues: the chronology and characteristics of Vienamese ceramics; the technique and production of Vietnamese ceramics; the engagement of Vietnamese ceramics in the international ceramic markets in pre-modern period. Apart from Vietnamese ceramics, this panel also seeks the contributions from experts in the field of Asian trading ceramics to discuss about the influence, exchange and competition of various ceramic traditions in the region.

Session Proposed by J. Eleazar R. Bersales, Ph.D., Head Curator, University of San Carlos Museum and Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Sociology and History, University of San Carlos, Cebu City

This session invites museum curators, researchers and young scholars to present papers that reflect on how archaeologists present the past to the general public through museum exhibitions.
 
Archaeologists work with museums to eventually present the results of their work through the material remains recovered. This is intended to inform the public and fulfills the important criterion of public access to otherwise ‘specialist’ knowledge. How significant results are presented can often become venues of contentious debate and discourse among the public, however.
 
This session will look at the ways archaeologists work with curators or act as curators themselves as they present the past through different exhibition designs, pedagogical techniques, and collections management protocols, all of which shape the non-archaeologist’s perception of the past.

The interconnections of two major Oceans—the Indian and Pacific Oceans—have dominated Southeast Asian maritime heritage for thousands of years, enabling movement of, and interaction between, people, ideas and goods. Confirmation of the relationship between Southeast Asia with other regions is evidenced in the dispersal of Austronesian languages, spoken widely in Southeast Asia. Due to the sea providing travel routes to distant regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the expansion of the languages suggests that people from Southeast Asia migrated to both sides—eastward to Oceania and Africa to the west. Furthermore, influences of maritime activities have spread beyond ports and maritime settlements. Research has revealed that mainland Southeast Asia including Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam also benefited from nautical skills through their complex riverine networks. Material traces from the hinterland and along coastal rims of both oceans, show that Southeast Asia has long been a dynamic region with an intense mix of cultures in its geographical crossroads. In ancient times, Southeast Asia was the only maritime gateway to China from the west. Research on maritime history in Southeast Asia, therefore, is crucial in defining the foundations of modern economic patterns.
 
This session welcomes researchers and young scholars from a wide range of fields and disciplines to share their work on Southeast Asia’s maritime past. It aims to gain, and discuss, new insight into the maritime history of the region’s connections with the wider world. Papers may include, but are not limited to, studies in material culture, traditional practices, and awareness-raising programs through preservation and interpretation of the archaeological resources. Raising public awareness of the importance and potential of our maritime heritage can enrich our understanding of the past, and help forge cooperation and common ground for preserving and appreciating our shared heritage.

This session would like to share with colleagues what National Museum archaeologists and other researchers have done in the field and in our laboratories. Two new developments resulted in more studies being conducted: the recent hiring of new researchers as well as the establishment of a new Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division.  It is also the thrust now of the National Museum to come up with more interdisciplinary researches to achieve more holistic results.  Papers under this session will include the multidisciplinary researches in Suluan, (Samar), Butuan (Agusan del Norte) and southern Luzon.