Newest Era

Variables and Assumptions in Modern Interpretation of Ancient Spinning Technique and Technology Through Archaeological Experimentation

Author(s)
Tracy P. Hudson 1 ✉
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2014/1
This paper takes the form of a critical analysis of archaeological experiments using spinning tools. The archaeological experiments regarding whorl weight and wool spinning of the Tools and Textiles – Texts and Contexts project, through the Danish National Research Foundation’s Centre for Textile Research, are examined with respect to a number of variables...

The Mummification of Votive Birds: Past and Present

Author(s)
Stephanie D. Atherton 1,
Lidija M. McKnight 1 ✉
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2014/1

Introduction

Animal mummies can be divided into four types: pets, mummified to accompany their owners into the Afterlife; victual, prepared and mummified food offerings for consumption in the Afterlife; cult, an individual selected based upon specific characteristics and markings to be an avatar for their prospective deity; and votive, where the whole population of certain species associated with a particular deity were classed as sacred and therefore worthy of mummification (Ikram and Iskander 2002; Ikram 2005; McKnight 2010).

“You could See it [the Past] in your Mind”: What Impact might Living History Performance Have on the Historical Consciousness of Young People?

Author(s)
Ceri Jones 1 ✉
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2014/1

Combining theoretical perspectives with two case studies carried out in 2008 with British students aged from 10-17 years old, this paper will explore how living history might contribute to the development of young people’s historical consciousness and help them to cope with the social and cultural differences which confront them when learning about the past. In particular, it will focus on the effectiveness of first- and third-person interpretation.

Living Museum of the Mbunza (NA)

Member of EXARC
No

As with all Living Museums in Namibia the main focus of the Mbunza Living Museum is to provide visitors to the museum with a detailed and authentic insight into the traditional, pre-colonial culture.

The Living Museum, situated at the Samsitu Lake, is a traditional village of the Kavango, who have lived in this area for centuries. The village has been built entirely from natural material and the actors of the Museum carry clothes made from self- tanned, with Mangetti nut oil refined leather. The outfit actually had to be reconstructed from old photographs.

Living Hunter’s Museum of the Ju/’Hoansi, Xa Oba (NA)

Member of EXARC
No

Apart from getting to know the fascinating ancient culture of the Ju/’Hoansi, native to the Kalahari desert for thousands of years, experiencing a real hunt with hunters from the Living Museum is the focal point.

Here the traditional bow hunt with poisoned arrows, the digging out of spring hares and porcupines, the snare catching of guinea fowls, khoraans and other birds for the daily hunt for food has never been terminated. The San living in this area are actually the only ones of their cultural group that are officially allowed to still hunt traditionally. Thus they still master the art of reading tracks and are delighted if visitors show special interest herein. The opportunity for visitors to be able to take part in such a hunt is also unique.

Living Museum of the Damara (NA)

Member of EXARC
No

Together with the Bushmen the Damara belong to the oldest nations in Namibia. Their original culture was a mixture of an archaic hunter-gatherer culture and herders of cattle, goats and sheep. Due to their loose social structures the Damara were not able to defend themselves against aggressors during the colonization of Namibia. This is one of the reasons why their culture has to a great extent fallen into oblivion.

Within the framework of the Living Museum of the Damara an attempt was made to reconstruct the “lost culture” of the Damara. Here the visitors have the unique opportunity to get to know the fascinating traditional culture of the Damara, thus contributing to the preservation of the culture as well as to a regular income for the Damara community that built the museum.

The museum is member of the Museums Association of Namibia; the LCFN is member of EXARC.

Living Museum of the Mafwe (NA)

Member of EXARC
No

The Living Museum offers visitors an interesting insight into the life of the Mafwe. The Living Museum is an authentic open-air museum where guests can learn a lot about the traditional culture and the original way of living of the Mafwe.

They demonstrate and describe everything with great dedication and the guide translates into english. Almost every offered program is interactive, because it is also great fun for them when the visitors try to weave a traditional net or taste some of the offered meals.

The museum is member of the Museums Association of Namibia; the LCFN is member of EXARC.

Living Museum of the Ju/‘Hoansi - Grashoek (NA)

Member of EXARC
No

The Living Museum of the Ju/'Hoansi-San gives visitors an interesting insight into the life of the San. The Living Museum is an authentic open-air museum where guests can learn a lot about the traditional culture and the original way of living of the San.

The Ju/'Hoansi demonstrate and describe everything with great dedication and the guide translates into english. Almost every offered program is interactive, because it is also great fun for the Ju/'Hoansi when the visitors try to shoot an arrow, experience the special Ju/'Hoansi rope skipping or try to sing an original song.

The museum is member of the Museums Association of Namibia; the LCFN is member of EXARC.

Conference Review: A Trip to the Birthplace of Experimental Archaeology

Author(s)
Artūrs Tomsons 1,2 ✉
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2014/1
Summer is already coming to an end, but in experimental archaeology, season is not important. Following the conclusion of a field course in experimental archaeology held in the University of Latvia, it is hoped that a short report and perhaps a more detailed article will be produced in the future...

Book Review: The Value of an Archaeological Open-Air Museum is in its Use by Roeland Paardekooper

Author(s)
Ronan O’Flaherty 1 ✉
Publication Date
EXARC Journal Issue 2014/1
With publication of Dr Paardekooper’s monograph we now, finally, have a secure databank of facts and figures relating to archaeological open-air museums in Europe, including management structures, key financial indicators, visitor profiles and visitor numbers...