WP 5: Dialogue with Science

Writing up Experimental Actions:

Museum´s point of view

Miska Sliden

Workshop on Experimental Archaeology

Exeter, October 8th- 10th 2012

WP Objectives • WP 5 will focus on experimental archaeology and how experiments can

contribute to make the visitor experience at archaeological open air museums even better.

• Large trans-national experiments are important, but there must also be a presentation aspect in the experiments (not just scientific value).

• The experiments will be defined in cooperation with experimental archaeology experts and universities, so that the experiments of this project add value and are not just replications of previous experiments.

Target groups:• Specialists from Universities and other academic institutions; archaeologists;

students• Craftspeople • Visitors.

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Why we do it?• Experimental archaelogy is one of the ways of bridging the gap between

”ordinary people” and archaeological science and raising interest towards archaeology.

• Reconstructions and re-enacting play vital roles in getting people interested in past cultures and thus, archaeology.

• These things are crucial for the success of archaeological open air museums.• We aim to study and learn about the past as well as entertain the public, using

experimental archaeology.

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Experimental Actions• Archaeological remains and objects need to be interpreted to give meaning

today. Experiments help people to understand how objects were made, how constructions looked like and how people acted in the past.

• The partners will conduct experimental studies, including e.g. life experiments, event development with re-enacting activities, building reconstructions and artefact replication.

• Documentation and experience sharing with other partners is of importance – with added value to visitors in mind.

• Co-operation with experimental archaeology experts and universities. • Presentation aspect; experiments should have an impact on the visitor

experience, or be used as visitor attractions by themselves.• Research and final publication (online)• Our objective is to get one step up in experimental archaeology. To get there,

Exeter will produce an online booklet for partners to use.

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Themes of Experimental Actions1) Everyday life of the past (Stone, Bronze, and Iron Age, Middle Ages)2) Clothing3) Tools & Processes4) Architecture• Building with natural materials • Reconstructions of (pre)historic buildings • Maintenance of reconstructions

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Tips to start with• Start with small and simple and move on to more challenging experiments• Do the planning during the (s)low season• What to do yourself and what to outsource or delegate to others?• Co-operation with experts outside your organisation (e.g. affiliate partners) ->

make clear that it´s also their duty to participate actively in reporting!• Involve university researchers and students (whenever possible)

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Writing up the Experiments• The difficult thing is to decide what is an exp. action• Luckily, you can discuss these things with Linda now • Template found on the website gives the outlines of what the report

should include: preparations, goals (possible hypothesis), implementation, problems, good practices, and results.

• It´s easy to come up with a report when you think about these questions already when conducting the experiment

• Make notes during the experiment • Start writing the report a.s.a.p. • Note: Using a translator is an eligible cost in the project!

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Uploading the report• The most time-consuming task is to scale the photos do it

beforehand• Uploading: http://openarch.eu/

1) Choose Add content -> Work Package Activity • Cut & paste the text from your file • Add photos & related files (press release, press clips etc.)• There is an online manual available. It´s easy!

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Examples of experiments done

EXAMPLE 1: Primitive pottery making & burningKierikki Stone Age Village, July 2011

• Designed and conducted Elsa Hietala and Miska Sliden• The goal was to try pottery burning on open fire and learn the process.

http://openarch.eu/work-packages/activities/everyday-life-past-primitive-pottery-making-burning

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Examples of experiments done

EXAMPLE 2:

Crafting a wooden anthropomorphic statue using wooden, stone and bone tools• Designed and conducted by Tuukka Kumpulainen• The goal was to craft a wooden anthropomorphic statue using only Stone Age tools and to explore the demands of this activity on the tools and on the workers using them.

http://openarch.eu/work-packages/activities/everyday-life-past-crafting-wooden-anthropomorphic-statue-using-wooden

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Thank you for your attention!

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