Modiwl HTA-2114:
Experimental Archaeology

Ffeithiau’r Modiwl

Rhedir gan School of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences

20 Credyd neu 10 Credyd ECTS

Semester 2

Trefnydd: Dr Kate Waddington

Amcanion cyffredinol

Archaeology by experiment is one way that we can gain valuable insights into how people did things and experienced materials in the past. It is through the routines of doing things and making things that people generate understandings of themselves and also the world around them. This course will provide students with both theoretical and practical knowledge of experimental archaeology. The course aims to provide students with a critical understanding of how experiments with materials, technologies and processes can broaden conceptions of the past and enhance a researcher’s knowledge of the past. This course explores the theory and practice of experimental archaeology and will provide systematic studies on the nature of human experience, addressing various processes of artefact production and consumption, metallurgy, building construction and dwelling practices, food production and consumption, cremation, and discard practices and decay processes. The closely related fields of ethnography and ethnoarchaeology will also be explored via a series of case-studies. The course is grounded in archaeological case-studies which include examples stretching from the Neolithic to the Iron Age.

Cynnwys cwrs

  1. Introduction: experimental archaeology today and its links with ethnoarchaeology
  2. The history of experimental archaeology
  3. Experiment by design: designing experiments, recording data and methodology
  4. Prehistoric metallurgical practices: copper and bronze production
  5. Stone and flint technologies; production and use-wear analysis
  6. Prehistoric metallurgical practices: iron production
  7. Food production: cooking with stone and food storage pits
  8. Making prehistoric roundhouses
  9. Cremation pyres: a case study on Early Bronze Age practices
  10. Taphonomies: understanding the formation of the archaeological record through experimental archaeology
  11. Experiencing experiments and materials; revision lecture

Meini Prawf


Threshold students (D- and D) will have done only a minimum of reading, and their work will often be based partly on lecture notes and/or basic textbooks. They will demonstrate in their written assessments some knowledge of at least parts of the relevant field, and will make at least partially-successful attempts to frame an argument which engages with archaeological theories/interpretation, but they will fail to discuss some large and vital aspects of a topic; and/or deploy only some relevant material but partly fail to combine it into a coherent whole; and/or deploy some evidence to support individual points but often fail to do so and/or show difficulty weighing evidence (thereby relying on unsuitable or irrelevant evidence when making a point). Alternatively or additionally, the presentation of the work might also be poor, with bad grammar and/or punctuation, careless typos and spelling errors, and a lack of effective and correct referencing.

C- i C+






Canlyniad dysgu

  1. Critically evaluate the historical development of experimental archaeology;

  2. Evaluate the utility and characteristics of a range of materials including ceramics, stone, metals and organic materials, via a range of experimental case-studies.

  3. Critically assess the role of archaeological ‘reconstruction’-sites in the production of archaeological interpretation.

  4. Demonstrate knowledge, critical understanding and theoretical grounding in the scientific and experiential use of experiments within archaeological research.

  5. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the role of material culture theory, ethnography and ethno-archaeology in the construction of archaeological interpretations.

  6. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the emerging synergies between material culture theory and experimental archaeology.

  7. Show and critically assess how experimental reconstruction can assist with the creation of archaeological narratives, and specifically assist with the (re)construction of ancient technologies, material culture practices and dwelling practices.

Dulliau asesu

Strategaeth addysgu a dysgu

Practical classes and workshops

Field trips: 3 trips (21 hours)


Seminars: 1 hour per week for 10 weeks


Feedback on assessments and exams


Lectures: 1 hour per week for 11 weeks

Private study 152

Sgiliau Trosglwyddadwy

  • Llythrennedd - Medrusrwydd mewn darllen ac ysgrifennu drwy amrywiaeth o gyfryngau
  • Rhifedd - Medrusrwydd wrth ddefnyddio rhifau ar lefelau priodol o gywirdeb
  • Defnyddio cyfrifiaduron - Medrusrwydd wrth ddefnyddio ystod o feddalwedd cyfrifiadurol
  • Archwilio - Gallu ymchwilio ac ystyried dewisiadau eraill
  • Adalw gwybodaeth - Gallu mynd at wahanol ac amrywiol ffynonellau gwybodaeth

Sgiliau pwnc penodol

  • problem solving to develop solutions to understand the past
  • producing logical and structured arguments supported by relevant evidence
  • demonstrating a positive and can-do approach to practical problems
  • demonstrating an innovative approach, creativity, collaboration and risk taking
  • preparing effective written communications for different readerships
  • making effective and appropriate forms of visual presentation
  • making effective and appropriate use of relevant information technology
  • critical evaluation of one's own and others' opinions


Rhestr ddarllen

Ascher, R. 1961. Experimental archaeology. American Anthropologist 63 (4), 793-816.

Coles, J. 1966-7. Experimental Archaeology. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 99, 7-27.

Coles, J. 1973. Archaeology by experiment. London: Hutchinson.

Coles, J. 1979. Experimental Archaeology. London: Academic Press.

Cunningham, P., Heeb, J. and Paardekooper, R. 2008. Experiencing archaeology by experiment: Proceedings of the Experimental Archaeology Conference, Exeter 2007. Oxford: Oxbow Books.

Ferguson, J.R. (ed.) 2010. Designing experimental research in archaeology: examining technology through production and use. Boulder: University Press of Colorado.

Forrest, C. 2008. The nature of scientific experiment in archaeology: experimental archaeology from the nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. In P. Cunningham, J. Heeb, and R. Paardekooper. 2007. Experiencing archaeology by experiment: Proceedings of the Experimental Archaeology Conference, Exeter 2007, 61-8. Oxford: Oxbow Books.

Hodder, I. 1982a. Symbols in action: ethnoarchaeological studies of material culture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Jewel, P.A. and Dimbleby, G.W. 1966. The experimental earthwork on Overton Down, Wiltshire, England: the first four years. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society 32, 313.

Marshall, A. 2011. Experimental archaeology: 1. Early Bronze Age cremation pyres: 2. Iron Age grain storage. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports (British Series 530).

Mathieu, J.R. 2002. Introduction: experimental archaeology: replicating past objects, behaviours and processes. In J. R. Mathieu (ed.), Experimental Archaeology: Replicating Past Objects, Behaviors, and Processes, 1-11. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports (International Series 1035).

Ó’Drisceoil, D. 1988. Burnt mounds: cooking or bathing? Antiquity 62, 671-80.

Outram, A.K. 2008. Introduction to experimental archaeology. World Archaeology 40 (1), 1-6.

Reynolds, P.J. 1979. Iron Age Farm: the Butser experiment. London: British Museum Press. (see also

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, 156-62. (see also

Rowlands, M.J. 1971. The archaeological interpretation of prehistoric metalworking. World Archaeology 3(2), 210-24.

Schiffer, M.B. 1976. Behavioural archaeology. New York: Academic Press.

Townsend, S. 2007. What have reconstructed roundhouses ever done for us...? Proceedings of the Prehistoric society 73, 97-111.

Wood, J. 2000. Food and drink in European prehistory. European Journal of Archaeology 3, 89.

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