conference

From the outset, the conference fostered a sense of shared purpose. Informal conversations during coffee breaks, shared meals, and evening receptions complemented the formal programme and created excellent opportunities for networking. Participants repeatedly emphasized the value of meeting colleagues facing similar challenges in museum practice, documentation, and interpretation, particularly in relation to living heritage and sustainability.

The purpose of the session, co-chaired by Brendan O’Neill and Rena Maguire (UCD) and Giovanna Fregni, was to bring together researchers working in different fields who engage in experimental archaeology as part of their work. Its aim was to fuse experimental and experiential archaeology with reconstructing past narratives. The session was well-attended, and not only because of the bespoke EXARC biscuits! The papers were divided into the categories of organic materials, pyrotechnic processes, and educational and cultural significance.