The importance of Roman Reconstruction Archaeology

[Salvianus]

Useful discussion. I think reconstruction archaeology is quite a specific branch of archaeology and these days has to follow specific scientific rules to qualify as such and be worthy of publication, as already outlined.

For me, these include testing a specific hypothesis, stating the methods, expectations or criteria for 'success' & limitations on interpretation from the outset. Results ought to be repeatable and interpreted in the light of other relevant evidence and literature. These are high standards, I know, better than much early archaeology, but while I teach 7 year olds by day, I'm a scientist by blood and upbringing. I'd love to see more published experiments, honest about their limitations but helping us build ever further our 'everyday' re-enactment authenticity and historical understanding of artefacts and culture.

Clearly re-enactment groups can do a lot more besides these specific experiments that can support archaeology and I think another, less exacting term would be useful a great deal of the activities which attain a certain level of authenticity, without requiring that the man who pumped the bellows in the forge that produced the spearhead had lung disease. This may be where most of us place 'Living History', although that, I believe technically implies anthropological studies to some. 'Experimental Re-enactment' occurs to me of the bat.