Early Middle Ages

Historical and Cultural Reserve "Ancient Plisnesk" (UA)

Member of EXARC
Yes

The historical and cultural reserve "Ancient Plisnesk" is located in the west of Ukraine, with an area of 450 hectares, which takes care of four medieval archeological monuments and an architectural monument of national importance. Among them are a unique Slavic cult center of the late 7th –  10th centuries, a huge Slavic city of the 9th – 10th centuries, a city of the 12th – 13th centuries, a necropolis with burial mounds of the Varangian soldiers of the Kyiv prince Volodymyr Svyatoslavovych and their descendants of the 11th – beginning of the 12th century and the Pidhoretsky monastery with a baroque church and cells of the 18th century.

The name "Plisnesko" comes from the word "pleso" - standing water.

The first excavations in Plisnesk were carried out as early as 1810, and systematic stationary archaeological research began in 1990 and continues annually to this day. A separate field of work of specialists is experimental archeology.

Förderverein Burg Hofraite e.V. (DE)

The non-profit association Burg Hofraite e. V. operates the motte and bailey project as a contribution to the development of the history of the settlement situation in the middel of germany. The aim is not to reconstruct a previously existing castle, but to gain knowledge of medieval building techniques, tools, building materials, etc. with the help of experimental archaeology. techniques and materials are used and tested that allow conclusions to be drawn about building techniques of the 11th century. In order to meet the requirements of experimental archaeology, the entire process from planning to final completion will be scientifically accompanied and documented.

The non-profit association Burg Hofraite e. V. operates the motte and bailey project as a contribution to the development of the history of the settlement situation in the middel of germany. The aim is not to reconstruct a previously existing castle, but to gain knowledge of medieval building techniques, tools, building materials, etc. with the help of experimental archaeology. techniques and materials are used and tested that allow conclusions to be drawn about building techniques of the 11th century. In order to meet the requirements of experimental archaeology, the entire process from planning to final completion will be scientifically accompanied and documented.

Department of Archaeology and Sheffield Archaeomaterials, University of Sheffield (UK)

Member of EXARC
Yes

Experimental archaeology has been a core research and teaching methodology at Sheffield since the early-1990s. Crossing archaeomaterials and environmental archaeology, experimental investigations are a key component of our work and have offered a multifaceted approach to our research. We integrate experimental methodologies and practice into our taught modules to inform interpretation as part of understanding our past. 

Our research covers a vast number of archaeological periods from prehistory to recent history, working closely with modern practitioners to inform our work in a collaborative environment.