The phenomenon of time is looked upon within this conference from very different angles and backgrounds as well as from different regions of research. The picture that each of us has formed is therefore different and it is only natural that groups with similar backgrounds share similar ideas. Putting our knowledge and experiences together we may achieve a major breakthrough. This cannot be done within one, two or three conferences and the research work in between. But, step by step, progress is achieved in detailed work and even if our results are not the same as the outcomes of groups working with other methods, we should not be vexed but should see differences as a phenomenon that we can learn to understand. We believe that the international co-operation in methods and evaluation of chronologies was never before so intensive and great as it is at present and, even if major differences still exist they are milestones on the rocky path to a solution. The sciEM 2000-team would like to thank wholeheartedly all of our colleagues who have participated and contributed to this conference.
This volume contains no less than 45 articles, all based on lectures given during the 2nd sciEM 2000 Euro-conference. As in the two previously published “The Synchronisation of Civilisations” volumes, the articles are arranged in two main groups, viz “Science and Chronology” and “Chronological and archaeological statements”, the latter group being divided according to different regions of the Eastern Mediterranean. The last chapter, “Section: Mycenaeans and Philistines in the Levant”, includes the proceedings of a special meeting on that topic within the frame of the SCiEM conference, headed by Sigrid Jalkotzy-Deger.
Atop of all these manifold papers, an introductory statement by M. Bietak and F. Hofelmayer pinpoints the crucial question concerning the ongoing research in Eastern Mediterranean chronology. Their statement suggests possible ways for future research to reconcile the different chronological schemes obtained by the means of historical chronology and scientific research, which, at first glance seem to lead to aporia.
The editors hope that the following articles, which cover a wide range of different aspects of chronological and archaeological research both in detailed studies and in more general surveys, may find a broad acceptance among many readers and scholars.
Manfred Bietak as a First Speaker of SCiEM 2000 would like to thank the European Commission, the Austrian Research Fund and the Austrian Academy of Sciences who have financed this conference and the printing of this volume. The Austrian Academy also hosted the conference at its premises in Vienna. The City of Vienna and the Austrian Academy gave receptions for the participants of this conference and thus set an agreeable and stimulating atmosphere for the meetings. We would also like to especially thank Dag-mar Melman and Angela Schwab who organised the conference with elan and initiative. Angela Schwab also produced the layout. For counselling and overseeing of the manuscript we would like to thank Hannes Weinberger of the Austrian Academy.
Manfred Bietak Ernst Czerny
World History
