experimental archaeology

This book is the result of a seminar with the same title, hosted in Sagnlandet Lejre. It contains a repository of articles focussed on hands-on experiments and experiences covering a range of periods from the Neolithic to the modern era. In addition to this some articles address timeless subjects, dealing with more theoretical frameworks and cooperation such as the second article by Lucas Garbrecht Overvad, and high-tech solutions such as the fourth article by Sofie Louise Andersen. A rough summary and commentary are presented below...

The 7th International Congress of Experimental Archaeology was held by the members of the TracéoLab (Liège, Belgium), between 22 and 25 October 2025. The organising committee was composed of Veerle Rots, Dries Cnuts, Justin Coppe and Sonja Tomasso (See Figure 1). This meeting, which takes place every three years, was eagerly awaited by the experimental archaeology community. It fulfilled all expectations and was a great success...

Based on the theory of experimental archaeology, this paper clarifies the definitions of academic terms including simulation experiment, restoration research, restoration experiment, simulation research, experimental reconstruction and experimental reconfiguration, so as to standardise the development of experimental archaeology research. It should be noted that experimental archaeology follows distinct development trajectories across nations and regions, a pattern closely intertwined with their respective cultural backgrounds and established archaeological research practices. In focusing on the Chinese context this paper traces the developmental history of its experimental archaeology, draws on contemporary domestic case studies, seeks to elucidate the role and distinctive characteristics of experimental archaeology against the backdrop of China’s archaeological development, and puts forward reflections on the theoretical underpinnings of experimental archaeology...

As a craft specialist with little experience in experimental archeology (EA), I found that with the first reading of this volume the editor and article authors gave me a masterclass in not only understanding Lithuania's craft reconstruction, but also how to write EA articles or papers...

This handbook provides a gateway into Roman Experimental Archaeology. Echoing the foreword, Experimental Archaeology is often viewed by those outside the field as the realm of prehistory, where experimentation can be conducted to, and theorise about what is not known. At the same time, due to their historical sources and physical remains, Rome and later periods are perceived as not requiring experimentation. This handbook quells this idea, instead collating the work of skilled and inventive individuals and providing both a framework and inspiration for future work.

The fifth annual meeting of Experimental Archaeology in Denmark (EAD) took place from 7 to 9 November 2025. This event followed previous meetings held at Ribe Vikingecenter, Middelaldercenteret, Bork Vikingehavn, and Vikingeborgen Trelleborg. The meeting serves as an opportunity for researchers, students, craftspeople, and others interested in experimental archaeology to meet and exchange ideas...

This paper explores the ‘Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience’ (CURE) model as an effective approach to teaching experimental archaeology. While the CURE model has been successfully used in STEM fields to enhance student engagement and produce positive long-term impacts on academic and career success, it has yet to be widely implemented into experimental archaeology curriculum - despite the inherently experiential, hands-on nature of the discipline...

The fourteenth edition of the experimental archaeology conference (EAC14) was held from May 12-16th 2025 in the city of Curitiba, Brazil, co-hosted by the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR). This was EXARC’s first EAC event to be held outside of Europe, and one of the first dedicated conferences on experimental archaeology to be held in Brazil. Consequently, the lead-up to the event was filled with as much trepidation as excitement, but thanks to the organisers at EXARC and the UFPR, and an excellent team of volunteers both online and on the ground, the final event ran without a hitch...

Annual Proceedings of the EXAR Tagung
***In 2023 EXAR once again hosted their annual conference, this time from 5th until 8th October 2023 at the Experimentalarchäologischen Freilichtlabor Lauresham in Lorsch (Germany) and was attended by more 90 participants. It was the 20th edition of this conference. The Jahrbuch 2024 contains as before essays from lectures held at the 2023 conference and was presented at the 2024 conference.

This paper investigates the potential for experimental archaeology and X-radiography to improve our understanding of the manufacture and use of two categories of prehistoric Cretan administrative clay objects: clay tablets and hanging nodules. The results are encouraging: the simple and three-fold tablet shaping techniques can be distinguished confidently, incised writing that was erased can, potentially, be made visible again and...