Neolithic

Nicolaus Copernicus University (PL)

Member of EXARC
No

The Institute of Archaeology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń is one of the oldest research centres in Poland dealing with experimental archaeology. The first studies of this type realised by our researchers were published in the 1970s.

Since then, experimental archaeology took an important place in different types of scientific projects carried out at our Institute, associated with, for example, medieval metallurgy or textiles. However, we place a special emphasis on the use of the experimental methods in research on prehistory, particularly, the Stone Ages. Most of the work realised of this type is aimed at the creation of experimental tools that we use as a comparative material during traceological analysis of the prehistoric artefacts. 

American University in Cairo (EG)

Member of EXARC
No

Salima Ikram is a Distinguished University Professor of Egyptology at The American University in Cairo and has worked as an archaeologist in Turkey, Sudan, Greece and the United States. 

She holds a MPhil in Museology and Egyptian archaeology and a PhD in Egyptian archaeology from Cambridge University. She has participated in several archaeological missions and has directed the Animal Mummy Project, the North Kharga Darb Ain Amur Survey, as well as the Amenmesse Mission of KV10 and KV63 in the Valley of the Kings. Her research interests are vast, spanning from archaeozoology and funerary archaeology to rock art, ethnoarchaeology and museology.

Museo Arqueológico - Eliécer Silva Celis (CO)

Member of EXARC
No

The reconstruction of the Templo del Sol (Temple of the Sun) by the archeologist Eliécer Silva Celis gave birth to the Museo Arqueologico de Sogamoso, Colombia, in 1952. The area where it is located, in the Cundiboyacense plateau, was identified as ancient Muisca territory, after the discovery of four necropolis hosting four hundred bodies wrapped in funerary attire and surrounded by diverse artefacts and instruments.

From this discovery, Silva Celis took on the reconstruction of the Templo del Sol, relying on historical and ethnographic documents, and archeological excavation evidence. The archeologist rebuilt the greatest center of spiritual power for the Muiscas, which had been burnt to the ground by Spanish soldiers around 1537. 

Western Carolina University (US)

Member of EXARC
No

Western Carolina University has a combined Anthropology and Sociology department, with 10 full-time anthropologists on faculty. The program offers undergraduate concentrations in Sociocultural Anthropology and Linguistics, Archaeology, and Forensic and Biological Anthropology.

Experimental Archaeology is offered every 4th semester (odd-numbered years) and has historically focused on questions arising from archaeological research in the southern Appalachians and often focuses on aspects of Cherokee prehistory. Projects have focused on a wide range of technologies, including bone, chipped stone, ground stone, rivercane, ceramics and local clay processing, and cooking.

Università di Bologna (IT)

Member of EXARC
No

The Laboratory of Experimental Archaeology at the University of Bologna  is based at the Bronze Age site of Solarolo (Ravenna), where excavations have been carried out since 2006. The laboratory was settled in 2011 to train students in the analysis and interpretation of stratigraphic processes and in the understanding of prehistoric technologies.  Activities include the participation of different expertise, from archaeologists to archeotechnicians, from ethnoarchaeologists to experts in archaeometry, which share their skills and knowledge with students...

Concerning the methodology, research questions are formulated starting from the analysis of  finds from different chronological contexts, from prehistory to Middle Ages. Recently most of the attention has been devoted to the archaeological site of Solarolo in the wider context of the Bronze Age Northern Italy, where  excavations have yielded a remarkable quantity of ceramic, metal, bone artifacts, as well as archaeobotanical and archaeozoological finds, which raised important questions about Bronze Age manufactures, land use, agricultural practices and animal farming.  

Universität Zürich (CH)

Member of EXARC
No

The Department of Archeology at the University of Zurich has an affiliated experimental archaeology group named ExperimentA (https://www.experimentarch.ch). The group runs experimental-archaeological projects, engages in public transfer (cf. images of the 2017 "Scientifica" science fair in Zurich), and is present in basic teaching modules of the study programs with experimental and empirical themes. 

From autumn 2020, specific experimental teaching modules such as exercises with material techniques and chaînes opératoires (metal, flint, textiles, wood etc.) will be part of the study programs. Moreover, BA and MA students have the possibility to choose experimental-archaeological topics for their qualification thesis, and PhD students are invited to participate in interdisciplinary research projects, or launch their own initiatives.

Throwing Stick to Spear Thrower - Study of Ethnographic Artefacts and Experimentation

Luc Bordes (FR)
EXARC Journal Issue 2020/2
Ancient Technology

An evolution that might have let some traces in the features of some particular Australian Aboriginal wooden implements.

Background

Short review of the antiquity of the three main types of prehistoric projectile weaponry

The bow, an invention reflecting a new hunting environment

University of California, EASL (US)

Member of EXARC
No

EASL is a research lab for the study of past cultures and materials through experimentation, scientific analysis and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education. All students and affiliates of the Cotsen Institute are welcome to use this space and its facilities.

The Experimental and Archaeological Sciences Laboratory (EASL) is a collaborative research space dedicated to the study of ancient materials and technology through replication experiments and scientific analysis. The lab assists students, faculty and Cotsen affiliates with their archaeological research projects, as well as offers resources for laboratory-based courses.