RESIST: Theoretical Archaeology Group (TAG)
From The Observatory
Dates
May 30–31, 2026
Location
Pratt Institute, New York City
Area
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The Theoretical Archaeology Group (TAG) has long been a scholarly space for multi-modal, experimental, innovative, and activist-oriented archaeological thinking. TAG 2026, with the theme #RESIST, will take place on Lenape-hoking, the unceded lands of the Lenni Lenape in New York City, bringing together archaeologists and interdisciplinary thinkers to reflect upon historical and contemporary strategies for resistance to oppressive socio-political formations. Over three days, participants will engage with the material realities of struggle, exploring forms of solidarity past and present.
Agenda
Drawing from archaeology and related fields, the plenary and ensuing sessions will move beyond well-trodden analyses of domination and resistance to instead shine a light on the forces that cause(d) harm and the ways people and communities bear witness, manifest care, and engage in refusal. Such work engenders spaces for conceptual advances in the field, highlighting the complex relationships between things, humans, landscapes, soil, and non-human species. TAG builds community across generations of scholars, and prioritizes student participation through calls for student sessions, papers, reduced registration and housing, and lunches focused on career development. The conference reaches out beyond academia to engage with artists, archivists, cultural resource managers (CRM), and museum professionals.
Participants
Theoretical Archaeology Group (TAG - North America)
Organizer | Homepage
TAG aims to be inclusive, informal, and low cost. It is run on a tight budget entirely by volunteers from the sponsoring institution and it welcomes and encourages participation from students and archaeologists working outside of academic settings. TAG in the UK is famous for its party, and we aim to rival that reputation here in the US.
We encourage experimentation and innovation at our meetings - not only in archaeological theory, but also in the format and style of presentation. TAG promotes inter-disciplinarity and it also regularly includes artistic exhibits, performances and other interventions as part of its program.