What is Experimental Archaeology?

[Kineas]

Hopefully the majority of groups now use good reproduction equipment. It is much easier to source than 20 years ago. But making it yourself is always more worthy than just buying it from someone else. Some will ask if the item was made using the correct period tools, or using modern tools and methods. Frankly, I don't care that much. I appreciate we can learn from studying the various methods of construction. Roman saddles deserve an honourable mention at this point. But no modern replica can mirror the original artefact. If nothing else they were made by different people with different perceptions of the world in which they live. But a good reproduction artefact can fire the imagination and inspire people to learn more.

Here, here.

John, the only difference ( is this just the reenactment manager talking? I may be turning into a bureacrat) is the use of "higher." If we confess that this is both a passion and a hobby to most (you are a professional, I sometimes am a professional) than I think terms like "higher" and "better" just serve to annoy without accomplishing anything. I think that there's a good case that most reenactors start out as cavorting ninnies--goodness knows I did, despite the objections of my family archaeologist and my family costume designer... I think that these are often stages, and sure, peole can get stuck at a stage, but by and large groups mature.

And then, when they make it all magnificently hard and super-keen authentic, they die... at least, 9 of 10 do.

Anyway, that's a nitpick. Otherwise, enthusiastic agreement. But in North America, the keeners (or what ever you want to call them) are "Experimental Archaeologists." Before Christian's comments, I'd never heard a word from Europe on the subject. My, the ocean is big and deep!