When I was a prospective student, deciding between different archaeology programs, I remember seeing a picture of the York Experimental Archaeology (YEAR) Centre, and I knew I had to come to the University of York. I had to go where a reconstruction of a Paleolithic hut in the woods could be my classroom! Last semester, I had the opportunity to take the Experimental Archaeology module. This involved an incredible experiment at the YEAR Centre.
The Experiment
Experimental archaeology uses ‘actualistic’ experiments in an attempt to replicate the conditions, methods, and materials used to produce ancient material culture. Our experiment took place over eight weeks, fireside, at the YEAR centre.
The experiment was based on ceramic fragments found at the Coves De Santa Maira site in Spain. It looked at how ancient people used textiles to produce pottery. To test this, we used baskets as moulds to create small pots and plates, which we then fired in a pit by placing clay on stone cobbles in a bed of coals.
After we had fired the ceramics, we did water retention testing of the vessels. We also used stones to grind grain for a simple bread, which we cooked on our ceramic plates. At the end of the course, we wrote a scientific report about our data and discoveries. We may have the opportunity to publish our findings in an archaeology journal!
Reflections
I challenged myself by taking this module because I am studying Museum Studies and don’t have much of a scientific background. At times, I felt overwhelmed by recording and analysing data, but I am so proud of the quantitative skills I gained from taking the module. Our lecturer did a wonderful job of preparing us and supporting us throughout the experiment. Some of us had never done one before. I also loved being able to incorporate my creativity by using photography to document the experiment.
Doing experiments at a state-of-the-art facility like the YEAR centre is a unique opportunity. The University of York is one of the few universities in the world that has a centre dedicated to experimental archaeology. Doing experiments out in nature, by the crackling fire, really allowed me to understand the sensory experiences of ancient humans and connect more deeply with what it may have been like to produce the artefacts we study.
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