Experimental archaeology

Replicating or approximating past technologies, behaviours, and material culture, as a way of gaining first-hand insights into historical societies.

Using historically-accurate materials, methods, techniques.

A form of hypothesis-testing?

• [?] How does hands-on interaction with materials and tools enhance our understanding of historic practices and technologies?
• [?] How can experimental archaeologists avoid the pitfalls of “xeroxing,” where they replicate previous reconstructions rather than generating new insights?
• [&] Sometimes veers into reenactment, living history, larp?

Backlinks

: Bogostian carpentry : Chaîne opératoires : Experimental media archaeology