Accessing intangible technologies through experimental archaeology : a methodological analysis
This thesis concerns the relationship between research in experimental archaeology and the intangible of the past. Only a quarter of technological experiments in a sample of 100 studies addresses the intangible of technological practice, and this project sets out to explore if there are conceptual or practical obstacles for this low rate. The thesis begins with an in-depth examination of experimental archaeology and the criteria, paradigms and theories that determine its practice. Through this study, elements of the dichotomy positivism/postmodernism are uncovered and discussed. To resolve this dualism, a third paradigm â philosophical pragmatism â is introduced as an alternative. This conceptual debate represents Part I, and is subsequently collated into a methodological framework for the creation of a typified experiment. Part II consists of the experimental segment of this study, in search for practical obstacles for the exploration of the intangible. Through experimenting with Iron Age Bucket-shaped pots, Mesolithic faceted pebbles and Middle Palaeolithic birch bark tar production, different components of an experiment are highlighted for investigation. An element that comes forward as problematic
Schenck, Tine
Experimental Archaeology ; Philosophy of Science ; Ancient Technology ; Epistemology of Archaeology ; Archaeological Theory ; Intangible Practices ; Burcket-Shaped Pots ; Mesolithic Pebble Tools ; Mousterian Birch Bark Tar Production
Accessing intangible technologies through experimental archaeology : a methodological analysis. This thesis concerns the relationship between research in experimental archaeology and the intangible of the past. Only a quarter of technological experiments in a sample of 100 studies addresses the intangible of technological practice, and this project sets out to explore if there are conceptual or practical obstacles for this low rate. The thesis begins with an in-depth examination of experimental archaeology and the criteria, paradigms and theories that determine its practice. Through this study, elements of the dichotomy positivism/postmodernism are uncovered and discussed. To resolve this dualism, a third paradigm â philosophical pragmatism â is introduced as an alternative. This conceptual debate represents Part I, and is subsequently collated into a methodological framework for the creation of a typified experiment. Part II consists of the experimental segment of this study, in search for practical obstacles for the exploration of the intangible. Through experimenting with Iron Age Bucket-shaped pots, Mesolithic faceted pebbles and Middle Palaeolithic birch bark tar production, different components of an experiment are highlighted for investigation. An element that comes forward as problematic
intangible technology experimental_archaeology methodological analysis concern_relationship experimental_archaeology intangible past quarter technological sample study address intangible technological_practice project set_explore conceptual practical obstacle low rate begin depth examination experimental_archaeology criterion paradigm theory determine practice study element dichotomy positivism postmodernism uncover discuss resolve dualism third paradigm philosophical pragmatism introduce alternative conceptual debate represent part subsequently collate methodological_framework creation typify experiment part_consist experimental segment study search practical obstacle exploration intangible experiment iron age pot mesolithic middle_palaeolithic bark production different component highlight investigation element come forward problematic