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Refl ecting on experimental archaeology

Even though most of his and there was competition to infl uential experimental get it! I think the 1973 book work goes back to the was more fun for me to write 1970s, any introduction to and use, but the 1979 book I experimental archaeology hope set out some procedures today will involve reading in a more topical way.” the works on this subject by John Coles. What publications on exper- imental archaeology have Some of his favourite sub- made the biggest impres- jects to which he has made sion on you? major contributions are wet- land archaeology, Bronze Age “I was always intrigued by Se- archaeology, Palaeolithic ar- menov’s work on lithics, by chaeology, the archaeology Hansen of course on houses, of Scotland, rock art and of Q The logboat paddler John Coles (photo was taken by Bryony by Reynolds on his farming course experimental archae- Coles at the Archeon in 1987; the boat was modelled on Pesse). practices. I think it is a trage- ology. Although John Coles’ dy that Peter Reynolds did not interests are broad, we will in of the subjective element in ar- mental work around the world, complete his great work by this interview focus on experi- chaeological research, strong- even in universities.” (Gräslund, writing a fundamental book mental archaeology. ly underlining that element in in Harding 1999, ix). on the subject.” archaeological interpretation. “Archaeology has had a long- He teaches us that there are no How come you wrote an In experiment, three levels of standing interest in experimen- truths and that “archaeologists overview on experimental eff ort and achievement can be tal work. However, for a very can do nothing except deal with archaeology (1973)? recognised (Coles 1997, 307- long time experimental archae- opinions”. (Gräslund, in Hard- 308): ology was given little space in ing 1999, ix). “In 1973 I decided that some university circles, and was to a sort of statement, backed up 1. Display. Superfi cial in the large extent performed by am- “Th e advance of knowledge and by examples, should be made real sense of that word, con- ateurs. John was in fact the fi rst comprehension of human behav- in support of experimental ar- cerned with appearances only. established academic who had iour is the theme of all experi- chaeology. I had been lecturing Designed oft en for public con- the foresight and the courage mental work” (Coles 1997, 310). at Cambridge for some years sumption, to interest, amuse to point out the necessity for on the subject, and found that and instruct, this level is in- and the possibilities of system- How would you describe ex- examples were the best way creasingly preferred over the atic experiments, and to argue perimental archaeology and to explain the concepts, the more scientifi c Levels 2 and for a professional experimen- its position to archaeology problems, the achievements of 3. It might be argued that lev- tal archaeology. By doing ex- in general in the 1960s? experimental archaeology.” el 1 is wholly non-scientifi c. periments himself, by setting Nonetheless, replicas or pre- up sound methodological and “Th e origins of experimental Can you explain the suc- sumptive replicas of ancient theoretical rules for experimen- archaeology lie in the 19th and cess of the 1973 overview houses, or boats, or forts, or tal work, and by summarizing 20th century examination and and why it was translated other large artefacts, have an experimental archaeology in testing” (...) All of these experi- 6 times? attraction for the public, es- books published and distribut- ments were conducted by indi- pecially for its youngest mem- ed all over the world, he gave viduals with little institution- “Th e 1973 book seemed to at bers, and this fact should not experimental archaeology an al support” (...) Since about once fi ll a gap for many ar- be ignored. Th ere are too academic face.” (Gräslund, in 1960, experimental archaeol- chaeologists, as providing a many “heritage centres” using Harding 1999, ix). ogy has emerged as a distinct guide to experiments and an Level 1 experiments to sin- and sometimes dynamic disci- overview of work done and gle out any particular bad, or “He does not regard himself as pline, with its own practition- being done.” good, examples. a theorist and he does not nor- ers, various diff use and wide- mally take part in public theo- ly-separated reports, and an Why did you write a second 2. Level 2 is technological, con- retical discussions. Neverthe- uneasy place in the world of overview (1979)? cerned with the processes of less, as I understand it, many archaeological investigations” production and manufacture. of his works are imbued with a (Coles, 1997, 307). “Th e 1979 book came about deep understanding of the com- as a more refl ective essay on 3. Level 3 is to some the high- plexity of archaeological think- “His books Archaeology by Ex- experiments, allowing me to est level of anticipation, in that ing. ...” “Meaningful scientifi c periment (1973) and Experi- advance more structured ap- it is concerned with the ma- experiments simply cannot be mental Archaeology (1979) are proaches, more focussed upon nipulation, use and presump- performed and evaluated with- classics of their kind. Th eir indi- particular problems, and to in- tive purpose of the artefact. out some talent for theoretical rect infl uence has probably been clude more recent work. Sev- Clear answers at this level are thinking. John’s experimental even greater: they released an eral publishers wanted a book never certain, although they works refl ect a deep awareness explosion of systematic experi- on experimental archaeology are sometimes claimed.

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Are there any anecdotes or able music notes. Of course West Stow. Th e classes, of al projects, and a permanent experiments with unexpect- such notes were mine and the about 6-8 students, were en- home for archives and publica- ed outcome you can recall? sequences were mine; all we thusiastic about experimen- tion achieved” ... “Th e impor- can say is that the basic notes tal archaeology as this was in tance of these (...) centres is to “I remember vividly my exper- were those created in the pre- part during the processual / be measured in three ways: iments with shields at the So- historic period, but sequenc- post processual debates and I ciety of Antiquaries in London es, music, fanfares are totally always thought experimental 1. By the scientifi c work com- (published in the Proceedings beyond our re-creation. So archaeology provided a good pleted and fi nished of the Prehistoric Society for any such experiments are for contrast with those concepts. 2. By the interest and support 1962). I was studying Bronze enjoyment, and not much sci- Th e students were oft en very of the public Age shields and had made rep- entifi c value (although some critical of any dogmatic state- 3. By the use made of the cen- licas of a metal shield and a people disagree with me). ments uttered by people like tre by educational authori- leather shield, based on exam- Peter Reynolds (or myself), ties” (Coles 1997, 310). ples from Britain and Ireland. Perhaps the most interest- and good arguments about It seemed obvious to me that ing set of experiments I ever houses, storage pits, plough “Biskupin (and other experi- the beaten sheet copper shield, worked with were concerned marks et cetera oft en took mental centres, ed.) ... has the only slightly less strong than with wood, and both Bryony place in the fi eld to the ben- position and opportunity to the prehistoric bronze shields, Coles and I experimented efi t of all parties. Reynolds present archaeology through would not withstand any blow, with stone, bronze and iron was a special friend to me and experiments to the wider but that the leather shield, be- axes to fell trees and sharpen we always enjoyed debating world in the following ways: ing slightly fl exible and moder- wooden pegs, and split tim- the issues of reconstruction ately thick, would have served ber with wedges, and partic- / construction, and of decay 1. To invite the public to con- as a defensive weapon. ularly to study the facets and over time, and variation in template how ancient people other marks left by our tools methods of work, of experi- may have lived and worked In front of an audience that on the wood. Th ese were then ence and initiation, and in held all of the leading profes- compared with the multitude the slow emergence of a theo- 2. To lead the public to under- sors in archaeology in Britain of axe-marks on our wetland- retical basis for experimental stand something about hu- I held my replica Bronze Age excavated wooden roads and archaeology.” man urges to create and de- metal shield and asked a col- tracks in the Somerset Levels. velop new technologies league to strike it with a spear, We learned a great deal about You were not alone in (inter) then with a sword. I knew it effi ciency, variation, angles, national experimental ar- 3. To guide the public towards would be cut and the sword axe-haft ing et cetera. chaeology. Who should be a comprehension of how ar- blow nearly sliced it into two mentioned? Could you say a chaeologists work, what their pieces; fortunately my hand My students at Cambridge few words about them? aims are and why support is holding the shield avoided the became involved in some of needed blow! Th en the leather shield this work and we also con- “I have mentioned Hansen & was attacked, and resisted all ducted educational experi- Reynolds, and they were pio- 4. To persuade the public to the blows. Applause. Experi- ments in pottery-making, in neers. Th e Polish workers at appreciate and care for the mental archaeology result non-ferrous metal casting Biskupin did much experi- heritage, for present and fu- supported my argument that and beating and drawing (to mental archaeology with their ture generations” (Coles 1997, metal shields were for display, make narrow rods and wire), recreations of Iron Age houses 310). not war or battle. in hurdle-making with wil- and palisades. I think the peo- low, in debating with Peter ple who worked with lithics In the years 1980 – 1990, the Sometimes I was able to ‘ex- Reynolds at Butser Farm, in did valuable research, Crabtree Bulletin of Experimental Ar- periment’ with Bronze Age viewing and assessing exper- for example, and Errett Calla- chaeology was published by Irish horns, and it was enjoya- imental earthworks at Over- han whom I know well, carried the University of Southamp- ble to work with their unusual ton and Wareham in South- on the concept of experimen- ton. You were an editorial character to produce accept- ern England and houses at tal archaeology as have Bruce advisor, just like Dr Peacock Bradley, Linda Hurcombe and and Dr Reynolds. Could you others too. Th e experimental mention something about centre at Lejre has been a long its goal and role? From what term and continuing achieve- backgrounds did it start? ment; the Pfahlbauland exhi- bition at Zurich made a great “I don’t think the Bulletin of impression on many visitors Experimental Archaeology during its six-month existence” ever got into mainstream ar- chaeology. It needed a much “Perhaps the best way to en- stronger structure, targeted courage and develop ex- aims and authors, better dis- perimental archaeology as a tribution network. Th e ad- discipline is to support the es- visors did not get much in- tablishment of centres for ex- volved in it, I regret to say. periment. Here a combination Its origin lay in a conference Q John Coles & R. J. Darrah felling an ash tree with bronze and of studies can be supported, on experimental archaeology stone axes (John Coles’ archive) a base provided for individu- but there was no real impetus

6666 euroREA 6/2009 REPORTS / INTERVIEW 1 put towards it, the advisors 1. Th e provision of funds for were too busy with their own scientifi c work is always a con- Selected biography work to get deeply involved, cern, particularly as develop- Prof. Dr. John Morton Coles, MA PhD FBA FSA a pity.” er-funded rescue archaeology Born in March 1930 in Woodstock, Ontario. assumes more attention at the Experimental archaeology expense of research projects; 1952: Graduation from Toronto University is sometimes used as a 1955 – 1957: Diploma in Prehistoric Archaeology, phrase to cover, building 2. What we might call main- University of Cambridge house (re)constructions stream archaeology, the ex- 1959: PhD, University of Edinburgh 1959 – 1960: Carnegie Scholarship or life size models, educa- cavation and analysis of sites, 1960 – 1986: Assistant lecturer, lecturer, reader, professor, tional programs for chil- and the study of material cul- University of Cambridge dren, demonstrations for ture, do not yet include exper- 1970 – 1979: Editor of the Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society a tourist public et cetera. iments as a normal part of ar- 1975 – 1989: Editor of the Somerset Levels Papers How would you explain the chaeological investigation; 1989: Academia Europaea phrase experimental ar- 1992 – 2002: Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical chaeology has become so 3. Th ere has been a serious Monuments of Scotland popular outside academic decline in the observation of 2001 – 2006: Discovery Programme, Ireland Directorate circles? traditional practices in non- industrial societies, as such “Th e term “experimental ar- societies are transformed by chaeology” has come to mean contact and infl uence; a large number and variety of things to many people. I 4. With the increase in travel would like it to be restricted to and tourism, and the pressures Q John Coles what practitioners of scientifi c created by competition, there anno 1980 experimental archaeology do, is a temptation to provide ex- and answering questions through citement and action for visi- anno 2008 practical and analytical work, tors, sometimes at the expense but I know that today the of accuracy and assessment; Prizes and Awards words “experimental archae- 1995: Grahame Clark Medal, the British Academy ology” mean all manners of 5. Experiments, particularly 1997: Honorary doctorate, Uppsala University approaches, popular recon- those concerned with buildings, 1998: British Archaeological awards, for book and project structions included, and even tend to become fossilised and 2000: Europa prize, the Prehistoric Society on the occasion of his modern humans (TV person- accepted as truth just because Europa lecture to the society on Wetland Archaeology alities) pretending to be what they present a reasonable im- 2002: Gold medal, Society of Antiquaries of London they never were and never pression. On so doing, they can 2005: Honorary member, Royal Irish Academy could be but “it looks authen- mislead and discourage future 2006: the European Archaeological Heritage Prize, the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA). tic”, and it sells. No need to research” (Coles 1997, 310). worry about it so long as real Since 2007, the British Academy awards the “John Coles Medal for experimental archaeology In 1997 you looked back on Landscape Archaeology”. continues to explore the ques- the developments in experi- tions we want answered.” mental archaeology: “Experi- mental archaeology in reality future for experimental ar- periments on subjects that I What is the added value of has not moved signifi cantly be- chaeology? used to be involved in, such experimental archaeology yond its pioneering phase, and as wood-working, metal-cast- to society? it has little structure, it remains “My opinion of 1997 has not ing, fl int-knapping, tool and mostly ad hoc and individual, changed much. Th ere is a lot weapon-testing, but I remain “Th e ‘added value’ is surely it has few well-acknowledged of good work being done, committed to the concept of that the general public comes rules, and it has not produced some wider grouping of ex- experiments in archaeologi- to appreciate past societies a widely-circulated list of active perimentalists, in e.g. Ger- cal research. Th is concept and their contributions, and experimentalists” (Coles, 1997, many, Denmark, America, but has been applied, I think, to to respect and help protect 307). “Th e most we can hope basically I think the individual my recent and current fi eld- the heritage. It has been said for is a greater understanding worker is the driving force in work in wetlands and on rock ‘any publicity is good public- of the material evidence of the experimental archaeology to- carvings, where I remain con- ity’; I don’t believe this but ex- past, and that is the purpose day. Maybe we don’t need an vinced that the principles of perimental archaeology can of experimental archaeology” overall structure, rules, prac- experimental archaeology are move along with the growth (Coles 1997, 309). tical procedural methods et valid, a testing of the evidence of archaeology in its work to cetera, or a society or a jour- and trying-out new ways of explore, analyse, interpret and At present, what do you nal. Instead, let the discipline looking at, recording and in- protect the heritage.” think are the biggest chal- evolve, let the results of ex- deed interpreting the traces lenges and chances for ex- periments well done and pub- of past activities. Some things “Th ere are several problems perimental archaeologists? lished be our overall aim.” work, some things do not, but which still face and will face What infrastructure or in- unless you make the attempt, experimental archaeology in struments should be de- “Since about 1985 I have not you’ll never discover the most the late 1990s and beyond. veloped to ensure a bright carried out any detailed ex- fruitful lines of enquiry.

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Selected bibliography A more comprehensive bibliography (1960-1998) is published in A. F. Harding (editor) 1999: Experiment and design, archaeological stud- ies in honour of John Coles, Oxford: Oxbow and can also be found on line at www.publicarchaeology.eu. 1962: European bronze age shields, Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society. New Series, Volume 28, (Cambridge) 156-190 1963: Archaeology by experiment: “Bronze age” shields made at Cambridge which establish that leather was for use, bronze for ritual and show. Th e Illustrated London News, Volume 2-3-1963, 299-301. 1967: Flere forsøg. Skalk 1967, No. 1, Århus, 26-30 1967: Experimental archaeology. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Volume 99, Edinburgh, 1-20 1973: Archaeology by experiment, London: Hutchinson University Library Translated and published into Dutch, Danish, German, Portuguese, Polish, Japanese and Italian as follows: Q Techniques at working timber at West Stow Anglo Saxon Vil- 1975: Experimentele archeologie (translation by SJE lage were inspired by Coles’ extensive research and experimental Pannekoek-Westenburg), Groningen: H.D. Tjeenk work (John Coles’ archive). Willink. 1975: Forsøg med Fortiden (translation by Jørgen Lund), Højbjerg I detect a great deal of ex- restreint aux activités des scienti- 1976: Erlebte Steinzeit: experimentelle Archäologie, perimental archaeology in fi ques archéologues expérimenta- München: Bertelsmann modern archaeological stud- teurs, lorsqu’ils cherchent par la 1976: Arqueologia Experimental, Lissabon: Tempo Aberto ies, where we are forced to manipulation et l’analyse critirque 1977: Archeologia doswiadczalna, Warszawa: Panstwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe confront the problems of ar- à trouver les réponses à leurs in- terrogations.” 1977: [Archaeology by experiment] Tokyo: Gakushi tifacts, structures and land- 1981: Archeologia Sperimentale, Milano: Longanesi & C. scapes, their fragmentary Gedanken über die nature, oft en their lack of or- 1976: Experiments in prehistory, Mitscha-Märheim, H.; Experimentelle Archäologie Friesinger, H,; Kerchler, H. (editors): Festschrift für Richard ganic components, and their Pittioni zur 70. Geburtstag. 1. Urgeschichte, Wien: Deuticke, Jede Einführung in die loss of immediate context and Archaeologia Austriaca. Beiheft 14, 7-22 Experimentelle Archäologie environment. By at least con- 1977: Experimental archaeology: theory and principles, McGrail, umfasst auch heute noch sidering the variety of options, Sean (editor): Sources and Techniques in Boat Archaeology, das Studium der Bücher von Oxford: BAR Supplementary Series 29, 223-243 we are in eff ect conducting an John Coles, welche er in den experiment or series of exper- 1977: Experimental investigations in hurdle making, Somerset 1970er Jahren schrieb. Das Levels Papers Volume 3, 32-38 (with Darrah, R.J.) iments in the mind.” erste ,1973 publizierte Buch 1977: Parade and display: experiments in Bronze Age Europe, „Archäologie und Experiment“ Markotic, V. (editor): Ancient Europe and the Mediterranean. by Roeland Paardekooper war – nach Aussage des Autoren Studies presented in honour of Hugh O. Hencken, – „eine von Beispielen getragene Warminster: Aris & Phillips, 50-58. Stellungnahme zur Förderung der 1979: An experiment with stone axes, Clough, T.; Cummins, W. Summary Experimentellen Archäologie“. Das (editors): Stone Axe Studies, York: Council for British Archaeology, Research Report 23, 106-107 Réfl échir sur l’archéologie folgende Buch „Experimentelle 1979: Experimental archaeology, London: Academic Press. expérimentale Archäologie“ präsentierte einen stärker strukturell 1982: Ancient woodworking techniques: the implications Toute introduction à l’archéolo- ausgerichteten Ansatz, der sich for archaeology, McGrail, Sean (editor): Wood working gie expérimentale aujourd’hui auf spezifi sche Problemstellungen Techniques before A.D. 1500. Papers presented to a passe encore par la lecture des bezog. Wenn John Coles Symposium at Greenwich in September, 1980, together with ouvrages que John Coles a écrit heute über die Experimentelle edited discussion (Oxford) BAR International Series, vol. 129, 1-6. 1997: Book review: Th e Experimental Earthwork Project dans les années 1970. Le premier Archäologie spricht, dann 1960-1992, Journal of Archaeological Science, Volume 24, livre “Archéologie et expérimen- ist er der Meinung, dass die London a.o.: Elseviers, 865-866 tations” publié en 1973 était, de Experimentelle Archäologie 1997: Experimental archaeology, Brzezinski, Wojchiech; l’avis de l’auteur, “une déclara- weiterhin von individuellen Piotrowski, Wojchiech (editors): Proceedings of the First tion de soutien à l’archéologie Forscherpersönlichkeiten International Symposium on Wood tar and Pitch, Held by the expérimentale appuyée par des vorangetrieben wird. Der Begriff Biskupin Museum (department of the State Archaeological exemples”. Le suivant, “Archéo- „Experimentelle Archäologie“ Museum in Warsaw) and the Museumsdorf Düppel (Berlin) logie Expérimentale”(1979), pré- umfasse seines Erachtens derzeit at Biskupin Museum, Poland, July 1st – 4th 1993, Warszawa: sentait une approche structurelle eine große Zahl und uneinheitliche State Archaeological Museum, 307-312. avec des réfl exions orientées sur Vielfalt von Th emen für viele 2006: Ancient wood, woodworking and wooden houses des problèmes précis. A propos Personen. Coles sagt: „Ich würde (contribution to the ESF workshop on the reconstruction de l’archéologie expérimentale den Begriff darauf beschränken of wooden buildings from the prehistoric and early historic actuelle, John Coles déclare qu’elle wollen, was Praktiker der period in Århus, Denmark in 1987), Dvořaková, J. Kateřina; est toujours dépendante des indi- wissenschaft lich fundierten Dohnálková, Hana; Kelm, Rüdiger; Paardekooper, Roeland vidualités. “Le terme d’archéolo- Experimentellen Archäologie tun, (editors): EuroREA. Journal for (Re)construction and gie expérimentale a aujourd’hui nämlich Fragen durch praktische Experiment in Archaeology, Volume 3-2006, Hradec Králové: de très nombreuses signifi cations und analytische Arbeit zu DAEA & EXARC, 50-57 pour chacun. J’aimerais qu’il soit beantworten (...)“.

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