why is experimental archaeology important

Several adjacent activities are discussed, like archaeotechnique, making reconstructions and life experiments. Respondents from Germany, Greece, the UK and Switzerland all have a long term approach and a clear understanding of limitations in time and space. A Unique Research & Educational. Experimental archaeology is a multifaceted approach employed by a wide and rapidly expanding range of exponents including everybody from lab-based archaeological research scientists through to museum professionals and re-enactment groups. We asked universities, societies, freelancers and museums. There are several activities, linked with experimental archaeology which carry importance, often leading to well-founded experiments. It must be emphasised, that the number of people using the phrase experimental archaeology as well as the number of contexts it is used in, is rapidly expanding. Useful Journals. This approach is critical to archaeological research because it allows us to test hypotheses about past human behavior and technology in a tangible, hands-on way. Rasmussen, M. https://exarc.net/issue-2013-3/ea/living-conditions-and-indoor-air-quality-reconstructed-viking-house, https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/nexus1492/news/start-of-reconstruction-indigenous-village-in-st.-vincent, Archaeology, Current. Austrian contractors are currently looking into archaeological experiments (Maier, et al., 2018). These camps can lead towards experimental archaeology in the sense that the experience gathered there is a good background for structured experiments, but should not be called Experimental Archaeology. Experimental archaeology has become an important tool to help understand the archaeological past. 2007. Of the numerous civilizations that produced these megalithic stone works, the Inka constructed without a preconceived design. We contacted 36 organisations and individuals, of which 6 were not EXARC members, 23 answered (64%). Sustainable Management of Construction and Demolition Materials, < https://www.epa.gov/smm/sustainable-management-construction-and-demolit > [Accessed: 23 September 2018]. Experimental archaeology is easier to use as a tool to engage people with, rather than using it as a research tool. Using experimental archaeology enlarges our frame of reference and therefore, our hypotheses become more probable, our analogies become less ambiguous (Lammers-Keijsers, 2005, p.22). Experimental Archaeology is one of the most promising fields within archaeology as it includes innovative new (scientific) ways of approaching past material culture. New York: Oxford University Press. Lanham: AltaMira Press. Not just about how appealing archaeology is to the public, but how relevant to solve modern day problems. The long-term exposure to carbon monoxide inside the house was also above the guidelines, though the risk of short-term carbon monoxide poisoning was low. Through this type of study, researchers can further understand how different layers of soil erode and settle over time. Archaeology raises consciousness and awareness, and encourages different ways of seeing the world, thinking about it, and acting in it. Of course, not everything has a perfect pattern - a reminder that humans built these walls, not machines. Experimental Archaeology is the study of an item or culture through attempts to test archaeological hypotheses. None of these parties can successfully lay claim to and monopolise the phrase experimental archaeology. Personal experiences, eureka moments if you like, happen all the time in archaeological open-air museums. The high number of groups in the survey is due to the fact that originally a division was made between experimental archaeology groups (6 out of 6 answered) and living history groups (3 out of 9 answered, 33%), but later these two groups were merged. The village is a contribution to the islands heritage, documenting its earliest inhabitants and is an extremely good example of cooperation in the preservation of archaeological heritage (Hofman and Hoogland 2016, pp.15-16). An archaeological experiment leads to data that is comparable with archaeological data. Experimental archaeology has become an important tool in understanding the archaeological past. Here, CAS researchers employ both flintknapping and controlled flaking to understand prehistoric stone tools. GreatArchaeology Experimental archaeology . However, we also recognize that the knowledge acquired through experimental models in the enhancement of the Historical and anthropological heritage is essential. Northfields Ave Wollongong, NSW 2522 AustraliaPhone:1300 367 869International:+61 2 4221 3218Switchboard:+61 2 4221 3555. Many papers can be found in academic journals that generally cover archaeological science and period-based inquiry, however, there have been strong regional traditions of experimental archaeology and dedicated journals worth drawing specific attention to, as described in this section. The construction of a replica Viking ship in Roskilde, Denmark, the Sea Stallion of Glendalough and its travel to Ireland and back in 2007 served several goals besides science: tourism, nationalism and nostalgia certainly played a role as well. Many craftspeople, artists and teachers have been involved in this form of experimentation; these activities have partly bridged the gap between archaeologists, artists and craftspeople, sometimes leading to new research. The perspective obtained from the survey in 2010 was that experimental archaeology was a purely scientific method, which should be treated as such. During the arbitrary level excavation of a grave, first the size of the grave is estimated, followed by soil removal in predetermined layers. These are drystone walls, a more sophisticated building technique than you would think. The national societies offer an umbrella for their members; they facilitate activities but do not plan their own. Freeman, UK (EXARC 2018). This is an example of engineers looking to solve a modern problem, finding inspiration with archaeological sources. Economic archaeology: from structure to performance: pp.264-272. Oxford: BAR International Series. Leiden: EXARC [online] Available at < http://exarc.net/issue-2013-3/ea/living-conditions-and-indoor-air-quali > [Accessed 23 September 2018]. With the term Experimental Archaeology, we should instead understand a real discipline that, through experimentations, succeeds in formulating hypotheses on objects and actions that without it would be mere artefacts without explanation Stone, Edited Peter G, and Phillippe G Planel. Reconstructions of, for example, clothes can be of high quality, often showing the skill of the craftsperson, both in techniques and materials and in the knowledge of the original archaeological data. Paardekooper, R.P., 2010. The nine answers in 2010 included some honest perspectives: people try to do experimental archaeology, but were aware of their own constraints as well as the limitations of the method (EXARC 2010). Demonstrations of ancient technology for tourists can best be defined as archaeotechnique: here somebody presents techniques, for example, bronze casting or flint knapping to a wider audience. These activities are very important, and many of these specialists also execute experimental archaeology. What do archaeologists do? From social outreach programs to scientific studies, experimental archaeology is allowing archaeologists to better understand what they find and show the public the importance of their work. Often these are incidental activities, even though these processes can take several years and their themes are well defined in time and space. Ethnoarchaeology studies living peoples in order to see how human behavior is translated into. These fundamental properties, once verified experimentally, can be effectively applied to archaeological data to understanding change in past stone knapping techniques. Do they intersect. Staff at universities often work on long term research projects which may lead to less publications, but witnessing more complex questions. It is interdisciplinary and links archaeology with the public. Schwarz, Saalburgmuseum, Germany (EXARC 2018). https://exarc.net/issue-2019-1/ea/experimental-archaeology-who-does-it-what-use. As archaeologists, we study the culture and lifeways of ancient people. Rezepturentwicklung von Opus Caementitium zur Verwendung in Hypokaustheizungen. Experimental archaeology is a field of study that involves replicating ancient techniques, materials, and methods in order to better understand how humans lived in the past. Christensen, J.M., 2013B. Experimental archaeology is a field of study that involves replicating ancient techniques, materials, and methods in order to better understand how humans lived in the past. When is the reconstruction of a house an experiment? EXARC 2018. Testing house reconstructions at Lejre, Lejre: Historical-Archaeological Experimental Centre. It was not seen as an integral Experimental Archaeology and necessary extension of archaeological re search. International contacts, also through social media, are a great help. Experimental archaeology per se does not lead to tangible products. An Energy Saving House from 3400 Years Ago, EXARC Journal, [online] Available at < https://exarc.net/issue-2016-3/aoam/energy-saving-house-3400-years-ago > [Accessed: 23 September 2018]. Building house (re)constructions or life size models, especially in archaeological open-air museums are an important activity, where one makes props for telling a story, but for experimental archaeology purposes, these are a by-product only, not the main goal. EXARC manages a list of about 100 universities, working with experimental archaeology. Most of them have clear boundaries in the subjects they work with, for example Stone Age / prehistoric technology (Madrid, Spain), hunter-gatherer material culture (York, UK) and the biography of artefacts (Leiden, the Netherlands). Not only does experimental archaeology bring hard and soft sciences together as Little puts it in the 2018 survey (EXARC 2018), it also is a meeting place for scientists, craftspeople, educators and artists alike. Why is it still important today? Experimental archaeology is not limited to the academic world. Often, the different entities discussed previously are already cooperating in various ways: living history actors study archaeology, academics work part time in museums, freelancers join experimental archaeology projects et cetera. There are major questions about living conditions and indoor air quality. Overall, experimental archaeology is a critical tool in archaeological research, allowing archaeologists to gain a more holistic understanding of past human behavior, technology, and social organization. Please check individual images for licensing details. These are recorded and excavated as individual stratigraphic phenomena. Vemming Hansen, Middelaldercentret, Denmark (EXARC 2010). https://the-past.com/feature/experimental-archaeology-at-stonehenge/. If we take a holistic approach to archaeology, seeing it as the science of everything human as far as we can learn this through excavated remains and information, is it not about time that we see what we can learn from the past through archaeology for our present society? The results of this process are data and knowledge gained by experience. It is complementary (to other archaeological methods) and a way to teach thepublic about our past in an appealing way Shaw, Christine. We should look at solutions ancient societies produced and learn what did and what did not work back in the past. So, what is archaeologys contribution to modern society? However, an important side effect of building this ship and sailing with it, was that with such a working reconstruction or model, archaeologists, constructors and the crew are forced to return to the archaeological data to answer specific questions which otherwise would never have been posed. One cannot do experimental archaeology merely as a desk study. One of the key benefits of experimental archaeology is that it can provide a more holistic understanding of ancient societies. Another benefit when modeling earthworks is understanding how artifacts are preserved in certain soil conditions. Archaeologists demonstrated the presence of common characteristics in structures within the region in the past, which together form the Caribbean architectural mode (Samson, et al., 2015; NEXUS1492.eu, 2015). Many ancient walls over the world (from Greece to Peru) look cobbled together haphazardly roughly fitted together with minimal clearance between adjacent stones and no use of mortar (See Figure 7). Many EXARC members are well-versed in the subject. Traditionally, this sub-field was one of the aspects of archaeology that is conducted scientifically by developing a hypothesis, conducting an experiment, and then analyzing the data to come to a conclusion. These characteristics can serve as a lesson for construction in the unpredictable Caribbean climate, in particular for humanitarian aid organisations in their continuous struggle to provide adequate and lasting shelter (Samson, et al., 2015). There is a lot of added value when academic activities flow into other areas and vice versa (Paardekooper, 2010). Prehistory includes over 99% of the human past, from the Paleolithic until the advent of literacy in societies around the world. Footnote 3 Why think experimental archaeology plays a special role? It is important to note is that eight of the answers came from organisations, mainly working with the public (museums and open-air centres). This method ignores any stratigraphy present. The freelancers in this survey are self-employed and expect payment as part of their business. . Hofman, C.L., Bright, A.J. Can our future cities digest themselves? There are also museums with an experimental archaeology research component. One thing we have to consider in relation to these houses, is if the modern use of these reconstructed habitation, especially with regard to how people handled fire, has any reference to the way people managed fire and smoke in the past, or elsewhere in the world. Presenting a cyclical script for experiments in archaeology. Oxford: Archaeopress Archaeology. When one excavates using the stratigraphic excavation method (See Figure 8), one works in separate archaeological stratigraphic contexts. Experimental Archaeology is not just about experiments in archaeology anymore, it is about the People of Today, their fascination of archaeology, their interest in the past, their engagement in research! Archaeotechnique also includes ancient or primitive technology (a phrase used widely in the United States, for example by the former Society of Primitive Technology). Ecofacts any type of evidence related to the physical environment in which archaeological deposits are situated Features things that people made that cannot be moved Why is archaeology important? A reconstruction alone is not an experiment. Archaeologists cannot just sit in their Ivory Tower; they are increasingly judged by the impact their work has on society. By engaging in hands-on experimentation, archaeologists can learn more about how ancient people interacted with their environment, what social and economic factors influenced their decision-making, and how they solved practical problems. The aforementioned examples of the application of experimental archaeology to the modern world has taught us several things. Forensic Anthropology: Contemporary Theory and Practice. Here, a team from Leiden University under the direction of Corinne Hofman and Menno Hoogland excavated a 16th century village in 2009 and 2010. The main health risks stem from fine particles (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide. Senior or graduated students often assist the newer ones; contact between the members is more intensive than between members of national societies. Learning an ancient technique from a book or video covers only a few aspects; when one experiences it in reality, this involves all senses, it requires agility and one gets an understanding of space, form and material. At some universities, there is a student society on experimental archaeology (for example EXARN at the Newcastle University, UK, CEXA at the University of Zagreb in Croatia (See Figure1) and Harjis at the University of d, Poland). We conduct projects that touch only a small aspect of experimental archeology that is the study for divulgation. Flamman, J.P., n.d. Form to describe archaeological true to scale architectural models or (re)constructions. Journal for (Re)construction and Experiment in Archaeology. While these are valuable activities, they have their own purpose and are different from experimental archaeology per se. Experimental archaeology was conducted to understand the process of artifact deposition and the interpretation of underfloor deposits in twelve standing buildings in Western Australia.

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