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Replication and experimental archaeology

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Abstract

The construction or replication of objects, assemblies, or processes, and their subsequent testing are the next steps in any complete exercise in anthropological archaeology. This has been called “experimental archaeology,” because it allows testing of conclusions reached through normal avenues of research, fine-tunes these conclusions, or determines the order of steps in a procedure through replication. “Replica” is often used very loosely, i.e., in reference to efforts to provide sets for theatrical events or part of a promotion. In fact, experimental archaeology differs greatly from mere copies or reconstructions and there are strict limits on its efficacy. After an experiment is successfully carried through to completion, it is impossible to say that the ancients did the same thing, but only that they may have used the same technique. Even if the archaeologist is able to establish convincingly how a procedure was accomplished, the question remains, “But why?”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ships of Discovery, Dallas, Texas, USA, P.O. Box 542865, 75354

    Toni L. Carrell

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  1. Toni L. Carrell
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Carrell, T.L. Replication and experimental archaeology. Hist Arch 26, 4–13 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03374508

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