Experimental Archaeology

Experimental Research on the Setting up and Exploitation of the Human Prehistoric Habitat in the Middle Dniester Region

Author(s)
I. Niculiţă 1,
S. Matveev 1,
A. Nicic 1,2 ✉,
A. Corobcean 1
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2020/1
The research of archaeological monuments in the Middle Dniester basin over the last two decades has highlighted a series of new data on the evolution of human communities during the first Iron Age (8th to 10th centuries BC), demonstrating the advanced level and original character of Cozia-Saharna communities...

Mining at Pozarrate: Applying Experimental Approaches to Understand the Neolithic Extraction of Flint in the Sierra de Araico (Treviño, Spain)

Author(s)
Hugo H. Hernández 1 ✉,
Cristina López-Tascón 2,
Mikel Aguirre 1,
Antonio Tarriño 1
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2020/1
11th EAC Trento 2019
***The aim of this paper is to introduce the scientific works performed in the Sierra de Araico Neolithic Mining Complex, mainly located in the Treviño enclave of Spain. Archaeological works were focused on the Pozarrate quarry, dated to the Neolithic period (6000-5600 BP). This site is unique since it has been used recently to...

Keep it in your own Backyard: New Experimental Perspectives on Domestic Iron Age Lithic Industries in the Northwestern Iberian Peninsula

Author(s)
María José Martínez Gonzales 1,
Martín Emilio Cuenca Fernández 1 ✉,
Borja Rey Seoane 2
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2020/1
11th EAC Trento 2019
***Both knapped and polished lithic industries have traditionally been given great regard within the archaeological studies of northwestern Iberian Peninsula, mostly focusing on their typologies and the materials used. However, this has not been the case with other stone objects, such as rolling stones, that tend to appear in...

The Experimental Reconstruction of an Early Neolithic Underground Oven of Portonovo (Italy)

Author(s)
Cecilia Conati Barbaro 1 ✉,
Vanessa Forte 1,
Alberto Rossi 2
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2020/1
11th EAC Trento 2019
***This contribution presents the experimental reconstruction of an underground oven replicated according to the archaeological evidence unearthed from the Early Neolithic site of Portonovo-Fosso Fontanaccia (Ancona-Italy). A domed structure, measuring 190x180 cm diameter at the base and 50 cm in height, was dug in 15 hours...

Experimental Study of Byzantine Chafing Dishes

Author(s)
Georgia Vakasira 1 ✉
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2020/1
This article sets out to examine the production, function, and use of Byzantine chafing dishes, which have been largely neglected by academic literature. As no practical engagement with chafing dishes has been previously attempted, experimental archaeology was chosen as a methodological tool capable of testing hypotheses associated with these wares and generating new research questions...

Albion Experimental Archaeology Studio (US)

The mission of the Albion Experimental Archaeology Studio (AEAS) is to provide a venue for experimental archaeology in the pyrotechnical crafts, teach and mentor students, and perform public outreach. Experimental archaeology is a fast-growing field that allows for a wide range of investigative techniques and research questions. From potting to smelting to stone-working, experiments yield a tremendous amount of information on manufacturing processes and technical knowledge of ancient peoples. The finished products may also be used in practical and experiential studies, from cutting hides with stone knives to recreating dining practices.

The founder of AEAS, Dr Mara Horowitz of Purchase College, SUNY, used experience from archaeological fieldwork and experimental archaeology in Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze and Iron Age Cyprus and Turkey to establish a venue for experimental work in pyrotechnical craft s in the United States located on a 4.5 acre former farm. Based in Danbury, CT, (70km north of NYC and connected by train) the studio has both modern and traditional pottery technologies from a professional electric kiln and power wheel to a custom-made kick wheel, outdoor pit kiln and improvised updraft kilns.

The Arrowheads of the Squared-Mouthed-Pottery Culture: Reconstruction and Shooting Experiment

Author(s)
Maddalena Sartori 1 ✉
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2019/4
11th EAC Trento 2019
***This international experimental project focused on the production of replicas of different models of flat-retouched flint arrowheads (stemmed, with flat base, and ogives -with rounded base-) in use within the Neolithic Squared-Mouthed-Pottery Culture (SMP) of Northern Italy. The aim was to test their efficiency in order to understand if...

Basalt Handaxes: Preliminarily Testing the Lithic Translation Strategy Hypothesis and Comparisons with the Fontana Ranuccio Site Bifacial Tools

Author(s)
Giorgio Chelidonio 1 ✉
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2019/4
11th EAC Trento 2019
***The oldest bifacial “handaxes” known so far belong to the “Kokiselei 4” site, dated to 1.76 Ma (West Turkana, Kenya; Texier, 2018). They have been manufactured by direct lithic percussion on magmatic effusive stone materials. Considering that the evolution of “fully operational intelligence” (Wynn, 1979) has been associated with the so-called...

The Contribution of Experimental Archaeology in Addressing the Analysis of Residues on Spindle-Whorls

Author(s)
Vanessa Forte 1 ✉,
Francesca Coletti 1,
Elena Ciccarelli 2,
Cristina Lemorini 3
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2019/4
11th EAC Trento 2019
***This contribution focuses on residues developing on spindle-whorls during spinning. Such a kind of tools is largely diffused in archaeological contexts where spindle-whorls were used in textile activities or deposited in burials as grave goods. Scholars recently approached...

Making, Multi-Vocality and Experimental Archaeology: The Pallasboy Project

Author(s)
Benjamin Gearey 1 ✉,
Mark Griffiths 2,3,
Brian Mac Domhnaill 4,
Cathy Moore 4,
Orla-Peach Power 5
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2019/4
This paper outlines The Pallasboy Project, which set out to craft a replica of the eponymous Irish Iron Age wooden vessel. We consider the process and progress of the project, as it developed in a number of slightly unusual directions. The paper includes a description of the experimental work, alongside personal reflections and comments by...