Experimental archaeology
• Experiments
• Media
• Otzi
• Screen savers
The history of development of archaeology is relatively short. The origins of its development date back to 18 century, when it was reserved only for rich and influential people. It became a way to make a career, to come to fame and to make big money. Unfortunately it had a collector’s character, not scientific.
150 more years were needed for stricte archaeology, true science to be crystallized. The science that started to pose various questions and finding anwers for them. Over years archaeology was inward - looking, it was only about collecting findings, classifying them and description. It didn’t generate wide perspective conditioning understanding of surrounding world. It was science for the sake of science but not for people.
Science centre in Great Britain in the late 19 th century began to lay foundation for "real cognitive archaeology" - experimental archaeology. The first man who conducted serious experimental research was F.C.J. Spurrell. He made a series of experiments on cutting grains and wood, bone and horn processing. A precursor of experimental - traceological method is S. A. Siemionow, a great Russian archaeologist not understood by many researchers living in his times. Experimental archaeology wasn’t present in Poland until 70s of 20th century. "Pioneers of this branch of knowledge were professors W. Hołubowicz and Z. A. Rajewski".
Area of research mentioned above made archaeology familiar in a minimal way. It was still incomprehensible for ordinary people. Experimental archaeology was deep in "inanimate" typology. Evidence of past cultures were still presented in a bland, mechanical way. It didn’t stimulate human imagination and it limited his cognitive horizon.
With time most western archaeological centres realised that existence of such archaeology, the science available only for some people, is limited. It was understood that proper presentation of the beauty of past cultures fills the cognitive hunger of every man. General approval and curiosity stimulates archaeology to a great extent, however proper conditions have to be created.
Slight interest in prehistory reconstruction, especilly in reconstruction of outfits from the end of Stone Age made me create autumn - winter outfit and equipment, characteristic of middle Europe ot that time. Reconstruction of this outfit has some function such as stimulating and propagating archaeology among society. We can’t forget about stricte scientific aspect, experimental - traceology sphere.
Schema of is based on extraordinary finding in Otzi Alp, namely the Iceman – Otzi. Such finding is very rare and unfortunately we can’t present it as a perfect example of eneolithic outfit made and used on todays Polish ground. This finding may be only a foundation, base for our reflections and limited fuel for imagination.
POZI is working on one of his chalets
I was forced to think over and draw conclusions about making the outfits on the basis of perceptible, durable remains from eneolith era. Scrapers, awls, needles indicate that outfits were made from leather, whereas weaving weights suggest that yarn and fabric were made. We need to mention such materials like wood, bark or sprouts, which were often used.
Unfortunately, sensible thoughts and conclusions wouldn’t contibute nothing new to science. So as to be "credible" I need to materialise them, start to make an outfit, using only reconstructions of eneolithic tools and techniques from 5000 years ago.
It should be emphasized that most contemporary reconstructions are based on rational reflections of researchers, reflections not confirmed in natural environment. This limitation, barrier to rely on nature causes that we cannot have full confidence in most reconstructions of prehistory outfits encountered in literature and exhibitions. Only properly tested reconstructions can be treated as a way to be closer to the truth of the past and this reconstruction is just like that.
Could this way of fixing the trousers be comfortable? Was this covering of leg reconstructed and tested in environment? The answer is obvious
Durable and comfortable reconstruction not pressing against blood - vessels and tendons. Tested in natural environment (front)
The way of leather legs fastening (side and rear)
Adittional warming of legs bottom part - rabbit leather
J. Coles sugggests to direct attention to a few rules connected with the experiment.
1. In order to make a reconstruction we need to use materials which were available to people in the past.
2. Suitable preparation and using methods from prehistory
3. Not using the contemporary methods and techniques influencing the result of experiment
4. Posing some questions before starting an experiment.
5. Repetitiveness of experiment.
6. Alternative methods of experiment.
7. The results, observations and conclusions of experiment.
8. Critical approach towards the experiment.
Bearing in mind J. Coles rules I got down to creating an outfit. Before I had made necessary reconstructions of prehistory tools – as they are the most credible witnesses of my experimental - traceological activities.
I used 4 deer hides, 2 ram hides, one fox hide and also a fragment (2x1,5m) of linen. I also used 2 deer hides and 1 cowhide to make an equipment (rucksack and mattress) and leather straps. Reconstructed outfit includes:
- cap with ornaments;
- shirt;
- scarf;
- sleeves;
- diaper;
- shoes;
- cloak;
The straps cut out from cattle leather as a decoration of serdak
The reconstruction of summer shoes - cattle leather impregnated with birch tar and a dry hay input
The reconstuction of winter shoes - cattle leather impregnated with birch tar and a dry hay input
Additional things in this eneolithic reconstruction are:
- mattress;
- rucksack;
- vessels and tools.
Reconstructions of prehistory tools
A flint shaving mounted in an antler - an eneolith knife during dear leather cutting
This reconstruction shows that a person who is very enthusiastic but has little opportinities can successfully stimulate and propagate archaeology among ordinary people.
Professional outfit making testing it, drawing conclusions and studying on it will probably stimulate archaeology and archaeologists. We can revive everyday, "dull" archaeology. We are willing to establish contacts with media (newspapers, radio, tv) because in this way we are able to "sell" archaeology and its mysterious beauty to lots of people looking for the beginnings of their identity.
While conducting my experiment that is walking tour through the old routes in the outfit reconstructed by myself, I could observe incredible " cognitive hunger" of our society, willing to get acquaited with archaeology and its mysterious beauty. Keen interest and curiosity was characteristic of these people. Contact with Pozi "man from thousands of years ago" encourage them to familiarize with the past and with the beauty of past culture hidden in their lands.
The situations I encountered confirmed me in my belief that archaeology in our country has lots of difficult functions to fulfill, the most difficult is satisfying "cognitive hunger".
A plait made of young willow bark - strong and widely avaliable
Conducting such experiments enable to create hypothesis about live of prehistory man and achieving a material result. Unfortunately it is not enough to state whether a given element was produced this or that way. However, undertaking such research allows laymen and archaeologists to get closer to primeval evolution of technology and everyday life of the past. They also allow us to step in the mysterious world, the "wild" world of our forefathers.
The reconstruction of a sling
A mixture of herbs - a necessary remmedy for cold
Walnuts always satisfy hunger
Dried blackberries are the best for digestive problems. When you don't have them, you can use charcoal as well
Honey - primaeval remedy and a sweet
