Experimental archaeology: an ethnography of its perceived value and impact in archaeological research

Archaeologists rely on a variety of methods to study and interpret the past, one of which is experimental archaeology; this involves the replication of artefacts or past processes in order to test falsifiable hypotheses or to gather data systematically. This thesis presents examples of perceptions concerning experimental archaeology and its history, its validity, and how it is (or should be) by gathering data through interviews, surveys, participant observation of experiments and conferences, and by gathering ideas expressed in published works, particularly those that are 'about' experimental archaeology and that deal with its role in academic archaeology. A trend emerges in which experimental archaeology is viewed by those that practice it as being sidelined in academic research. These beliefs and statements are then compared to data gathered on publication rates; a chronology of experimental archaeology is given, and differing beliefs are compared and contrasted. The goal is to identify how experimental archaeology is being perceived, how this is affected by how it is presented, and how changes in its presentation can help increase its acceptance amongst archaeologists. A highly critical approach has been taken in the hope of combining empirical observation with qualitative data; the aim being to provide a holistic study of experimental archaeology that draws primarily from how it is practised in UK and the US, but is supplemented by information from continental Europe. The main areas that affect how it is perceived are its relations to experiential archaeology and non- academic institutions and individuals. A final look at the role of the method in academic archaeology shows that it is integrated into research on a broad scale, but rarely discussed in depth by researchers that do not practise the method. Experimental archaeology is a method that can have unique implications in research, particularly because of its relation to experiential archaeology. This and the other issues that affect how it is perceived are addressed

Conference Review: Experiment and Experience: Ancient Egypt in the Present

Experiment and Experience: Ancient Egypt in the Present was held at the University of Wales, Swansea, by The Egypt Centre and The Department of History the 10-12 May 2010. The aim of the conference was to highlight both experimental research, and the value of experience gained through working with ancient materials and techniques. In addition to conventional papers, participants were encouraged to include physical demonstrations. The conference was also made available to a wider audience by streaming the proceedings online. This review is based on viewing the conference as it was streamed online

Conference Review: EXARC General Meeting 2010

The EXARC General Meeting was held in Cardiff, Wales, UK from the 5-7 of March 2010. Participants visited St. Fagans, an open-air museum, on Saturday the 6th. This review focuses on the papers and the discussion that took place on Sunday the 7th, entitled Open Air and Experimental Archaeology in the UK: recent work and ongoing projects. This day was set aside to present current work going on in open-air museums and related institutions, as well as to discuss the relationship between open air museums and experimental archaeology centres and Universities

Conference Overview 2010/2011

A wide range of conferences on experimental archaeology and open air museums took place in 2010 and 2011, both in Europe and the Americas. This brief summary is based on the conference reviews from our contributors which can all be accessed freely on EXARC JOURNAL website from early 2012 on

Book Review: Experimental Archaeology – Between Enlightenment and Experience by Petersson and Narmo

This book developed from the project Experimental Archaeology – Between Enlightenment and Experience, which was composed of a series of regional meetings held in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. This hardbound publication contains quality illustrations and colour photographs; and the language revision has been done to a solid quality

Fork of Is there a difference in political conservatism between males and females?

This is a study of political conservatism in the Clyburne-Sherin Lab