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Experimental Archaeology: Research and Public Engagement

Module description

The role of experimental archaeology will be explored as both a research method and as an effective public archaeology tool within the heritage sector.  You will be challenged to see the links between the two and identify opportunities for both.  Critical reflection and practical experiences form the heart of the teaching methods.  The module will include a 3-day fieldtrip early in the term.  This is likely to include a visit to Stonehenge (integrated presentation of landscape, monument, exhibitions and reconstructed houses) and The Ancient Technology Centre Cranborne Chase (educational, public and research venue with multi-period reconstructions) with overnight stays in a ‘Viking Longhouse’ and hands on activities working with ATC staff and award-winning volunteers.

If you are interested in the heritage sector, research vs public interactions in experimental archaeology, and the principles of good experiment design you will benefit from this module.

Please note that the class will dovetail scheduled class hours with ARCM109 Practical Pasts and because of the fieldtrip early in the term this will require more hours in the opening weeks of term.

Co-requisites:  Other archaeology or heritage masters level modules. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

Recognise experiment design and methodology as a scientific method in archaeological research and as a powerful tool for public engagement within the wider heritage sector.

Apply the principles of experimental archaeology through reflective practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate critical reflection on practical experiences and the role of experimental archaeology
• 2. Demonstrate originality in identifying opportunities for experimental archaeology

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Deal with complex archaeological issues systematically and creatively within acknowledged ethical, safety and conservation issues
• 4. Evaluate critically and select and apply the methods of recording and analysis most appropriate for case studies

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Write clearly to a high level and succinctly using appropriate language and illustrative material completing work to a deadline
• 6. Demonstrate the ability to work individually and collectively as part of a team

Syllabus plan

While the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

• experimental archaeology as a research tool;
• experimental archaeology as public engagement, outreach and education;
• principles of good experiment design;
• the role of archaeological open-air museums;
• integrated approaches and case studies;
• planning events (logistics, risk assessments, social media posts).

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Essay:  a new essay topic will be set
Written report is based on the practical experiences provided in the module.

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Coles, J 1979 Experimental Archaeology, London: Academic Press.
• Hurcombe, L. 2004 Experimental Archaeology, in C. Renfrew and P. Bahn (eds) Archaeology: the key Concepts, London: Routledge pp.110-115.
• Hurcombe, L. 2015 Tangible and Intangible Knowledge: the unique contribution of Archaeological Open Air Museums, EXARC Journal 2015/4:1-3, http://exarc.net/issue-2015-4/aoam/tangible-and-intangible-knowledge-unique-contribution-archaeological-open-air-museums.
• Jackson, A. and Kidd, J. (Eds.) (2012) Performing Heritage: Research, Practice and Innovation in Museum Theatre and Live Interpretation. Manchester: Manchester University Press
• Jameson, J. H. (Ed.) (2004) The Reconstructed Past: Reconstructions in the Public Interpretation of Archaeology and History. Lanham, MD: Altamira Press
• Outram, A.K. 2008 Introduction to Experimental Archaeology. World Archaeology 40(1), 1-6.
• Millson, D.C. E. (ed.) 2010 Experimentation and Interpretation: the use of experimental archaeology in the study of the past, Oxford: Oxbow.
• Reynolds, P.J. 1999 The nature of experiment in archaeology, in A.F.Harding (ed)  Experiment and Design: Archaeological Studies in Honour of John Coles Oxford: Oxbow, pp.156-62
• Pardekooper, R. 2019 Experimental Archaeology: who does it, what is the use? EXARC Journal 2019/1
• Simon, N. (2010) The Participatory Museum. Santa Cruz, CA: Museum 2.0

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – Faculty to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
• Foster, S. and Jones, S. (2020) New Futures for Replicas: Principles and Guidance for Museums and Heritage. University of Stirling. Available at: https://replicas.stir.ac.uk/principles-and-guidance/
• Hurcombe, L. and Inker, P. 2021 Keynote closing address for EAC12: The worldwide state of experimental archaeology and the agenda for the future, EXARC Journal  issue 2021/3 p1-8. https://exarc.net/issue-2021-3/mm/keynote-closing-address-eac12 persistent identifier: https://exarc.net/ark:/88735/10583

Key words search

Experimental Archaeology, Archaeological Open-Air Museums, Heritage, Public Archaeology, Experiment Design