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What is your take on experimental archaeology? Is is a field that will only get bigger, and will it become more and more accepted by traditional archaeologists?Experimental archaeology is the recreation of historical buildings, vehicles, tools, weapons, and other things so that they can be used to mimic the way they were used in a previous time. The point is to learn more about history based on the information gained through these activities.A very rudimentary instance of experimental archaeology is a show like Pioneer House or Colonial House which have been on PBS in the United States. In the shows, individuals try to live in historical structures, doing historical activities, to see how well they can succeed. At the more academic level, it might be looking at Greek vases and seeing the athletic jumpers holding some kind of weights in their hands while in mid-air. Using replicas of these weight artifacts that have been uncovered, archaeologists might hire olympic-caliber jumpers to see whether or not these weights actually make a difference when they're jumping.Another common example of this include is the construction and testing of period ships. In my opinions, experimental archaeology is one of the more interesting trends and it can provide some interesting insights that would not come about without trying to actually do something in the way it was done historically. On the other hand, there is the problem of lacking complete knowledge about historical construction and behavior. If we try to build a historical vessel, we're probably going to have to make some guesses as to how this was done. Too much guessing in the planning phase can lead to a-historical results when we test the thing out, and so we wouldn't really be learning anything conclusive about the past.
My typical naysaying. How do you gain any historical insight from what is essentialluy roleplaying? Doesnt trying to live like the Romans tell us more about ourselves than it does about the Romans? You example about shipbuilding is a perfect one.
I want to say it's the show Mythbusters on the History channel, but I'm not sure. There is a show that builds old weapons like bows, catapults, and other ancient inventions like firemen hoses (how did Roman firemen reach the 6th floor of buildings?) etc. to see how/if they worked. A while back I was inspired to post something about Archimedes claw after I saw them rebuild one on this show.
I think the you are talkimg about is originally from the BBC. I remember seeing an episode where they tried to reconstruct a trebuchet and Mangonel from medieval warfare. I would say experiments of this kind give us some insight but there is so much we dont know about historical construction methods and everyday luife in gerneral that we must take any results with a healthy grain of salt.We could recreate WWI trenches and have reenactorsa live in them but nothing will ever recreate the fear and horror of living in close contact with rats, decomposing bodies, and the ever present fear of death unless we have another trench war the likes of WWI. Experiment will only take us so far, as historians we must still rely on the words of the participants to try and gain a real appreciation for life in historical periods.
Yes, it may be similar to roleplaying in some instances, and it may include things like what they do on Mythbusters or the History Channel, but these would be someone “pop” versions of it. Part of the appeal is that recreating historical situations or things can be done by most anyone. If we set aside the amateurish things, I think that if it is done within a highly-structured program and approached academically, there is much to gain. Perhaps a better, more realistic example – scholars couldn't figure out how Greeks made the black sheen on their vases until they tried to fire vases and recreate it themselves. Finally, they were able to figure out how it was done.
I think the you are watching is originally from the BBC. I remember seeing an episode where they tried to reconstruct a trebuchet and Mangonel from medieval warfare. I would say experiments of this kind give us some insight but there is so much we dont know about historical construction methods and everyday luife in gerneral that we must take any results with a healthy grain of salt.We could recreate WWI trenches and have reenactorsa live in them but nothing will ever recreate the fear and horror of living in close contact with rats, decomposing bodies, and the ever present fear of death unless we have another trench war the likes of WWI. Experiment will only take us so far, as historians we must still rely on the words of the participants to try and gain a real appreciation for life in historical periods.
The building of the trebuchet was indeed on PBS on NOVA. There's a thread about it here:I agree that stuff like that is of limited use for historical purposes but it was really done a) for entertainment and b) to see whether or not it could be successfully done. I guess the kind of experimental archaeology that would be of historical value would probably not be shown on TV.
I guess the root of it is how much does this experimental archaeology enhance or add to our understanding of historical cause and effect. It probably does to some extent. For instance, a recreation of a medieval village or typical medieval transport could give us a better idea of how the plague spread so far so fast given that the vast majority of the medieval population never really traveled anywhere. I am not saying it is worthless just that its application is limited.
I still think it would cool to see a working trireme tagging along with the other tall ships when they have those festivals in Narragansett Bay or Boston Harbor. I would LOVE to see a trireme in action. I'd probably volunteer to be a rower.
I still think it would cool to see a working trireme tagging along with the other tall ships when they have those festivals in Narragansett Bay or Boston Harbor. I would LOVE to see a trireme in action. I'd probably volunteer to be a rower.
You probably know this already but one of the more (or most) famous instances of experimental archaeology was with the construction of the Olypias trireme in the mid-1980s.
Like I said, it has some utility but anyhting we think learn from this must be tempered with a grain of salt because simulations do not really give us true answers, they just make certain suppositions stronger. It is like computer modeling the data that comes out is only as good as the data we put into it. Extensive research must be done before any experiments are conducted to ensure that the recreation matches the historical record as close as possible.
