'A Place for an Experiment in Roman Studies'
When Dana Millson was organising a session on experimental archaeology at TAG held in Southampton in 2008, she was faced with the problem of whether there is a place for the experimental archaeology in a theoretical conference (Millson 2010, 1). The answer was yes, as experimental archaeology is very much stuck in-between theory and practice, using scientific applications to understand how things were produced and used in the past but at the same time drawing its inspiration from various theories and hypotheses, and individual subjective knowledge based on the careful observations of objects and practices. Yet, the experimental archaeology has somehow been of secondary importance in Roman studies and does not feature prominently in Roman archaeology. While few institutions in UK or on the Continent teach experimental archaeology module in their archaeology degree, many Roman archaeologists are cut off from any experimental aspects, which became the sphere of knowledge of an experienced artisans or reenactors with interest in the Roman past. For instance, when Roman Military Equipment Conference held in St. Andrews in 2016 had re-enactors displays on horseback riding skills and cavalry warfare, majority of the delegates were not versed in wearing a Roman helmet or riding a horse or throw a javelin, albeit having a deep knowledge about the types of pilum and styles of horse decoration.
This workshop explores the place and status of experiments in Roman archaeology in theory and practice. The following discussion points are brought to the fore:
* The status of Roman experimental archaeology: a dying art, already dead, or in the revival stage;
* The view on Roman experimental archaeology: is it at all necessary for academics to be deeply involved with experimental archaeology to understand the technologies and practices of the Roman past (e.g. know how to make or throw a javelin, for instance);
* The classicist view on experimental archaeology: accessibility and relevance to classicists;
* Experimental or experiential archaeology: what is the best fit for Roman studies;
* Challenges and tensions of working with professionals/craftspeople to replicate the objects of the past;
* Challenges and tensions of working with re-enactors;
* Re-enactors perspective on working with academics/scholars;
The participants will reflect and comment for around 15 minutes on the issues raised above. The immediately following discussion will be in the round-table format, allowing the members of the audience to contribute their knowledge and experience as well.
The workshop is supported by EXARC, the ICOM affiliated organisation representing archaeological open-air museum, experimental archaeology, ancient technology and interpretation.
Confirmed speakers
* Lee Graña (The University of Reading): The Past and Future of Experiments on Roman Studies
* Bill Griffiths (Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums): Towards a set of guidelines for Roman re-enactors and academics
* Heather Hopkins (Independent Scholar): Contrasting the roles of experience, experiment and expertise in experimental archaeology: a case study reconstructing the dyeing industry of Pompeii
* Claire Walton (Butser Ancient Farm, Hampshire): Out of the (academic) frying pan, and into the (experimental) fire! –Experiments on a Roman hypocaust from the perspective of a classical archaeologist
* Matthew Fittock (The University of Reading): Off with their heads! Broken figurines and religious practice in Roman Britain
* John H. Reid (Trimontium Trust, Melrose): Use of the Sling in the Roman Army: challenges and opportunities in light of recent observations and ballistic experiments
* Eduard Ble Gimeno (Universitat de Barcelona/ARTIFEX S.L.), Jose Miguel Gallego Canamero (ARTIFEX S.L.) and Pau Valdes Matias (Universitat de Barcelona): Following the steps of the Roman Republican Legion. The experience of the Via Scipionis project
Image: J. M. Gallego Cañamero, the Via Scipionis Project
