Featured in the EXARC Journal

Experimental Archaeology

The Production of Roman Metal Screw Threads - Extended Version

Author(s)
David Sim 1 ✉,
Chris Legg 2
Publication Date
During the Roman period, small metal screw threads were used both as fastenings and to impart motion. This paper, which is an extended version of my previous article, will show that it is possible to produce metal screw threads using very simple technology. The tools and expertise to carry out this work is...

An Experimental Approach to Baking Ancient Roman Placenta

Author(s)
Jake Morton 1 ✉,
Ellen Schlick 2
Publication Date
Cato The Elder (234-149 BC) wrote our oldest extant work of continuous Latin prose, On Farming (de agri cultura), a how-to guide for farming and life that also included many recipes. We were interested in the section on bread recipes in this text, particularly the recipe for the complex, layered placenta due to...

Cross-Contamination via Stone Tool Use: A Pilot Study of Bifacial Butchery Tools

Author(s)
Alexander Whitehead 1 ✉,
Anthony Sinclair 1,
Christopher Scott 1
Publication Date
The pathogenic environment has been a constant shaping presence in human evolution. Despite its importance, this factor has been given little consideration and research. Here, we use experimental archaeology and microscopic analysis to present and support a novel hypothesis on the pathogenic properties of bifacial butchery tools...