Spindle-whorls are tools used for transforming the mass of fibres into yarn. These tools can be made of a large variety of materials as ceramic, bone, wood, or glass. They can vary largely in shapes (conical, biconical, lenticular, etc…), size, and weight according to archaeological contexts and chronological period of human history.
The Group of Studies of Archeology, Antiquity and Territory -GEAAT- is a research group of the Faculty of History of the University of Vigo composed of 42 researchers who provide diverse perspectives, all linked to the study of the territory and natural resources of Northwestern Iberia from the first human occupation until late time.
One of its research lines is Study of the phenomenon of prehistoric metallurgy, study of anthropological models of interpretation of the past and archaeological experimentation applied to the knowledge of the operational technical chain.
Researchers of the group participate in the teaching of the subject Ethnoarchaeology and experimental Archeology, within the framework of the interuniversity master in Archeology and Sciences of Antiquity (University of Santiago, University of Vigo and CSIC)
Since 1995 the Grup de Recerca d’Arqueologia Medieval i Post-medieval (GRAMP-UB) is an in-terdisciplinary team lead by University of Barcelona, formed by members of different national and international institutions.
Its target is to study the medieval and post medieval archaeological re-mains. The new Degree in Archaeology offers to the students the possibility to collaborate in the excavation campaigns in medieval sites, and also some practices in Experimental Archaeology: for instance, they can do some experimental training at the AREA in l’Esquerda, Roda de Ter, an Open-Air Laboratory dedicated to experimental works.
Since the 1990s, experimental archaeology has been anchored in teaching and scientific research in pre- and early-historical archaeology at the University of Hamburg, and has been applied in different ways and considered in individual theses with a clear archaeological experimental contribution.
By 2004, the Experimental Archaeology with its own seminar and adjoin practice part is an integral part of the curriculum of Prehistoric and Early Archaeology. In addition to the introduction to the history, theories and methods of experimental archaeology, the seminar offers students the opportunity to develop their own projects with archaeological-experimental questions. The supervision of the students takes place on the whole by two experimental archaeologists and is supplemented by further experts for certain questions.
In archaeology, where practice and experimentation are important research components, new approaches and methodologies are continuously developed. In our country we now have a number of interdisciplinary studies on public archaeology, as well as archaeo-parks and open-air museums, and these are an extremely important tool to sensitize the general public regarding issues of cultural heritage.
This notwithstanding, in Turkey there are presently no institutional structures that allow the formation of new researchers or the continuity in practice and education, and therefore experimental archaeology struggles to become a tool for research. One of the main objectives of this center is to offer a session of introduction and formation on experimental archaeology to both Turkish academics and students at the master and doctoral level.
The University of Groningen has seen numerous experimental archaeology projects throughout the years, such as the construction of a medieval sod house and experimentation with growing crops in salt marshes in Frisia. These projects were guided by research interests, but it is not (yet) incorporated firmly in the curriculum. Introductions to flint knapping are provided for new students each year.
The student-led Workgroup Experimental Archaeology Groningen (WEAG) was founded in 2019 to create an environment where fellow students can be introduced to experimental archaeology. They get to know natural materials otherwise only encountered during excavations, while at the same time practising with the creation and implementation of research designs, as well as their execution and presentation.
Since 1998, the course Experimental Archeology, Ethno-archeology and Simple Technology has been offered every fall semester at the University of Copenhagen. The pillars have been the same every year: 10-14 students from many different subjects, craftspeople, guest lecturers and two teachers.
The course consists of four elements:
1) Introduction to research history and theory
2) Presentation and discussion of selected case studies in lecture form, where the experimental-archaeological method and the interaction with the other disciplines are central elements
3) a series of practice experiments and technology studies as well
4) presentation, discussion and perspective of the experiments performed.
The course is offered in collaboration with the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde and with Sagnlandet in Lejre.
Vienna Institute of Archaeological Sciences - Experimental archaeology
Coordinator: Dr Wolfgang Lobisser
Research services:
• Archaeological experiments on specific research questions
• Reconstruction of archaeological exhibits
• Conception and planning of exhibition projects
• Construction of archaeological open-air museums
Experimental archaeology is highly suited to putting our ideas of the technical capabilities of our ancestors on a lifelike basis, to review our explanations and interpretations of excavation findings.
The experiment begins where conventional methods of archaeology no longer work and tries to test, explain and ultimately reconstruct crafting practices, technical equipment and work processes.
As archaeologists, we study the culture and lifeways of ancient people. However, because culture does not preserve, archaeologists have to reconstruct past behaviours from material remains. To do this, archaeologists conduct experiments to evaluate the range of activities that may have taken place in the past.
These experiments can range from the making and using of Palaeolithic stone tools to reconstructing prehistoric houses, transporting megalithic structures, and ocean voyaging. By replicating these ancient activities, researchers can generate and test ideas about the technology and knowledge of past people.
Stichting Erfgoedpark Batavialand
att. EXARC
Postbus 119
8200 AC Lelystad
the Netherlands
Website: EXARC.net
Email: info@exarc.net
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