Definition and Scope
Experimental Archaeology refers to a category of experiments which entails operations in which matter is shaped, or matter is shaped and used, in a manner simulative of the past (Ascher, 1961). It is the systematic approach used to test, evaluate and explicate method, technique, assumption, hypothesis and theories at any and all levels of archaeological research (Ingersoll et al., 1977). It is a replication of past processes in order to test falsifiable hypotheses or to gather data systematically (Flores et al., 2014). Experimental Archaeology is an approach that employs a number of different methods, techniques, analyses, and approaches in order to generate and test hypotheses or an interpretation, based on archaeological source material like ancient structures or artifacts (Mathieu, 2002). Coles (1979) states that the aim of Experimental Archaeology is to reproduce former conditions and circumstance, while Mathieu (2002) says it is designed to replicate past phenomena. However, it should not be confused with primitive technology which is not concerned with any archaeological or historical evidence, and generally undertaken as a hobby for entertainment or to demonstrate a romantic atmosphere of a specific prehistoric period (Fagan, 2001). Experimental archaeology began in Europe in the 18th century when people tried to blow the bronze horns recovered from peat bogs in Scandinavia and Britain. Robert Ball of Dublin, Ireland after years of experimentation was able to produce a deep, bass sound resembling a bull. In one of his enthusiastic experiments he ruptured a blood vessel and died. However, it was in the mid-twentieth century that experimental archaeology actually began. One of the incidents that helped create this approach was the capture of Ishi, one of the last surviving members of the Yahi Indians, near Oroville California. Even though the story of Ishi is a tragic one, he left behind a mine of knowledge about Indian technology such as laying of traps and snares. Ishi was accompanied to his home by anthropologist Alfred Kroeber and others who documented his life and behaviour in his homeland, and in the Berkeley museum where he spent his last few years. In the field of experimental archaeology stone working has been the most studied – how and in what manner prehistoric people made and used the stone tools. A few dedicated scientists have spent years experimenting with stone tools. Largely through the trial and error efforts of scholars such as Francois Bordes of France and S. A. Semenov of erstwhile Soviet Union a tremendous amount has been rediscovered about the process of manufacturing stone tools (Hurst, 1974). Don Crabtree, an Idaho rancher worked for more than 40 years trying to replicate the Folsom points (originally used 9,000 to 11,000 years ago by Palaeo Indians as hunting weapons). He was ultimately able to produce points of great variation and beauty, and recorded 11 different methods of flake removal.
Criteria for Experimental Archaeology
Enthusiastic experimentation on stone tool technology has led to the replication of beautifully flaked stone tools. However, the making of these stone implements, makes one ask whether mere replication of implements would be the answer to what, why, and how, prehistoric people lived in an era past gone, some thousands of years ago. The answer to that is that we can never be sure. However, even when replicating past technology or phenomena, there are certain criteria that have to be adhered. Following are the criteria required for experimental archaeology: 1) Materials used in the experiments must be those available locally to the prehistoric society one is studying; 2) Methods must conform to the society’s technological abilities. Modern technology must not be allowed to interfere; 3) Results must be replicable and consist of tests that lead to suggested conclusions.
Types of Experimental Archaeology
Reynolds (1999) mentioned five major types of experiments in experimental archaeology, which are reproduced below: i) Construction: 1:1 scale constructions that test a hypothetical design for structure (such as a house) based upon archaeological evidence. ii) Process and function experiments: Investigations into how things were achieved in the past. This includes investigations into what tools were for, how they were used and how other technological processes were achieved. iii) Simulation: Experimental investigations into formation processes of the archaeological record and post-depositional taphonomy. iv) Eventuality trial: Usually combining all the three categories above, these are large-scale and long duration experiments that investigate complex systems (such Introduction to Archaeological Anthropology 5 5 as agriculture) and chart variations caused by unexpected or rare events (such as extreme weather). v) Technological innovations: Where archaeological techniques are themselves trialed in realistic scenario.
Examples of Experimental Archaeology
One of the best known examples is the Kon Tiki expedition undertaken by Thor Heyerdahl in 1947, in which he attempted to prove that Polynesia was settled by adventurous Peruvians (Heyerdahl, 1950). The popular theory at that time was that it was colonized by people from Southeast Asia. After sailing for 101 days in a raft that was built, from balsa logs and in a manner that was mentioned in a 16th century Spanish report, he was successful in reaching the Tuamotu islands of Polynesia. His experiment proved that people from South America could have undertaken such a long journey over the ocean; however it did not prove that it was the Peruvians who did it. Many experiments have been done on tool technology. Many experiments on clearance of forests in Europe and elsewhere have been conducted. One Danish experiment yielded estimates that a man could clear half an acre of forest in a week. Tree ring and fire have been shown to be effective tree felling techniques in West Africa and Mesoamerica. Experiments with agriculture have also been conducted in Southern Maya lowlands and Mesa Verde National Park. The latter experiment lasted seventeen years. In this experiment, 1½ acres of land was planted with maize, beans and other such crops. Good crop yields were obtained in all but 2 of the 17 years, when there was drought (Fagan, 2001). One of the longest ongoing experiments is Overton Down earthwork in England lasting 128 years. Here, some archaeological materials like pottery, bone, leather, wood, textiles etc were buried in the earthwork, which were to be sectioned off at intervals and unearthed to study its decay patterns.