Artifactual: Forensic and Documentary Knowing

Artifactual by Elizabeth Anne Davis explores how Cypriot researchers, scientists, activists, and artists process and reckon with civil and state violence that led to the enduring division of the island, using forensic and documentary materials to retell and recontextualize conflicts between and within the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 05 September 2023
Publisher: Duke University Press

In her captivating book titled "Artifactual," Elizabeth Anne Davis delves into the intricate ways in which Cypriot researchers, scientists, activists, and artists navigate and grapple with the civil and state violence that has caused the enduring division of the island. Through the use of forensic and documentary materials, Davis retells and recontextualizes the conflicts between and within the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities. She closely follows forensic archaeologists and anthropologists who tirelessly strive to locate, identify, and return the remains of Cypriots who lost their lives in these conflicts. Additionally, she turns to filmmakers who employ archival photographs and footage to confront political violence and its enduring legacies.

In the realm of forensic science and documentary filmmaking, the interplay between secrecy and revelation plays a pivotal role in shaping the interpretation of material remains such as bones and archival images. Throughout the book, Davis vividly showcases how Cypriots navigate the delicate balance between an ethics of knowledge, which upholds truth as a vital prerequisite for recovery and reconciliation, and the politics of knowledge, which renders evidence as inherently partial and subject to constant falsification.

This exploration of the complexities surrounding violence, truth, and knowledge offers a profound and thought-provoking examination of the human experience. Davis's meticulous research and compelling storytelling shed light on the ongoing struggles and resilience of the Cypriot people as they navigate the treacherous waters of history and strive for a future marked by healing and unity. "Artifactual" is a testament to the power of art and scholarship in addressing the most pressing social and political issues of our time.

Weight: 1111g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478019886