Prof Aidan O'Sullivan - It might have been like this? Experimental archaeology

Описание: "It might have been like this? Experimental archaeology: Making, understanding, storytelling" by Prof Aidan O'Sullivan, University College Dublin.

This talk was recorded as part of the Garrod research seminar series hosted by the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research on 11 November 2021.

Abstract: Experimental archaeology is the reconstruction of past buildings, things and practices, based on archaeological evidence, and their use, testing, recording, and experience as analogies, so as to enable a better understanding of people and material culture in the past. It has a unique potential to investigate the archaeological evidence of the past and vividly interpret and present narratives to the public. It ranges from scientific testing in laboratory conditions, to experiential approaches to things as diverse as houses, fabrics and weapon use. However, it is always us doing it in the end, and it can never ‘prove’ how things were, only that it “might have been like this.” This lecture will present the work of the UCD Centre for Experimental Archaeology & Material Culture, at University College Dublin, Ireland, whose key pillars of activity are experimental archaeological research, teaching and public engagement through social media at a global level, with some case studies of successes, disasters, mistakes and storytelling.