Despite very significant progress in the field of scientific dating methods over recent decades, correlating chronological results obtained with different techniques in many instances remains an eduring challenge. At the most basic level, issues arise from the need of aligning relative and absolute chronologies, but the varying scales of resolution offered by different scientific techniques present challenges of their own, and reconciling historical chronologies with those obtained through scientific techniques has more than once caused heated debates between historians and archaeologists.

This year’s ‘Metal Ages’ colloquium, co-organized by the UISPP’s Scientific Commission ‘Metal Ages in Europe and the Mediterranean’ and the Istituto Italiano di Preistoria e Protostoria, for its thematic session welcomes contributions on all aspects relating to chronological methods and their correlation in the Chalcolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages.

Apart from contributions dealing with this year's main theme, we also invite contributions to the general session of the colloquium from any interested colleagues working on the Metal Ages. Papers or posters in the general session may deal with any aspect of the archaeology of the Metal Ages in Europe and the Mediterranean.

The colloquium is scheduled to take place a day before the 59th annual meeting of the Istituto Italiano di Preistoria e Protostoria, which takes place from 24th to 26th October 2024, also in Florence, to allow attendees to participate in both events. Members of both the IIPP and UISPP benefit from reduced registration fees at both events.

See you in Florence!