ABSTRACT Drunk? Adventures in sixteenth Century Brewing is a research-based film produced within the ERC-funded FoodCult project (2019–2025). Developed in collaboration with historians, archaeologists, craftspeople, scientists, and filmmakers, the film follows the reconstruction of a sixteenth-century beer through experimental archaeology. The film was conceived, from the outset of the project, as a mode of inquiry, with filmmaking shaping how the reconstruction was interpreted and communicated. This article examines the film as creative practice research, focusing on three dimensions: radical interdisciplinarity, where cinematic and editorial decisions brought different forms of expertise into dialogue; materiality, where framing and sound design highlighted tools, ingredients, and environments as co-actors in the reconstruction; and embodiment, where the camera conveyed tacit skills, sensory awareness, and affective responses. Audience reception, gathered through questionnaires, Q&A discussions, and teaching contexts (cited as pers. comm.), is considered alongside close analysis of the filmmaking to evaluate the project’s dialogical and pedagogical value. We show that filmmaking can operate as a research method in its own right, generating historical insights, facilitating interdisciplinary exchange, and extending the reach of historical inquiry to wider publics.

This article examines the reception of Thor Heyerdahl’s controversial theory on the settlement of Polynesia between 1937 and 1963. While Heyerdahl achieved global fame with the Kon-Tiki expedition of 1947, his most enduring impact lay in stimulating debate about ancient transoceanic migrations. Traditionally dismissed by scholars as implausible, his hypothesis challenged prevailing linguistic and archaeological models by emphasizing environmental constraints and experimental voyages. This study traces three phases of academic responses—from cautious interest in the late 1930s and 1940s, to sharp rejection following Kon-Tiki, and gradual acceptance of Heyerdahl as a serious, if unconventional, researcher in the 1950s. By highlighting positive as well as critical reactions, the article demonstrates that Heyerdahl’s engagement with anthropology and archaeology was more nuanced than typically portrayed. His work not only influenced Pacific studies but also helped establish maritime experimental archaeology as a distinct research field.

ABSTRACT This study follows an initial paper in which several samples corresponding to different stages in the production chain leading to coins made from copper‐based metal rods were studied. These samples dated to the third c. AD were found in Châteaubleau (Seine‐et‐Marne, France), a Gallo‐Roman agglomeration where the striking of imitation coins has been attested for several years. The initial paper provided an opportunity to characterize the different manufacturing techniques used in this mint. In this context, the aim of this second paper is to focus on two experimental archaeology sessions carried out in order to reproduce one particular process which is called ‘from rod to coins’, and then to compare the microstructures of the reproduced samples (or intermediates collected at different stages of the process) with their archaeological equivalents. The first session consisted in reproducing this process in a laboratory using an archaeological rod from Châteaubleau. The second, conducted at the ‘Plateforme Des Arts du Feu’ at Melle (Deux‐Sèvres, France), enabled us to make three rods from different alloys and reproduce the entire process using modern metal. Laboratory analyses combined with experimental archaeology are now allowing us to validate and present this process.

The analysis of the manufacturing process in the lithic archaeological materials, have grown noticeably in the past years, this is greatly due to the implementation of archaeometric techniques, focused on different aspects of the artifacts, such as physical and chemical aspects. Another key implementation is to apply these techniques with each other, since with the integration of several techniques, these will contrast each other and complement data, which gets reflected in the achieved inferences. The work shows the results of the photogrammetric analysis made to the archaeological materials that came from the Offering 4 of the archeological site “La Venta” in the Mexican state of Tabasco. This Offering is made by 6 axes and 16 anthropomorphic figurines, all of them made with different green rocks. The intention of the used analysis is to identify a series of aspects in the represented characters, comprised by the physiognomic features, the elaboration techniques, and the required gestures made by the specialists who made them; this exam adds up to the discovered precedents to enrich the knowledge acquired so far. The implemented technique was Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), with it the surface to examine can be reilluminated in an interactive way in order to spot characteristics hard to find at plain sight. In addition to having an extra digital registry, which can be the foundation for further studies, that assure the correct preservation of these materials. Also, the study used experimental archaeology, an Optical Microscope (OM) and a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The analysis of the collection helped to clarify technological issues (tools that were used for the manufacturing of objects). The studies allowed to distinguish that, even among materials that share the same origin context, there are specific differences in the elaboration techniques and in the physical characteristics of the faces and bodies, therefore, it can be considered an indication of individuality that opens new guidelines for future investigations.

Since the emergence of Experimental Archeology, one of its objects has been to approach the way in which humans expressed art throughout history. In a lot of cases, this is done through body modifications, and tattooing has been a significant part of this group. Understanding the skin as a living canvas is loaded with symbolism, linked to strokes, techniques and colours. When we delve into how tattooing was done throughout history, often we are influenced by the resources that are available nowadays. In this experimental work, we were looking to pose a series of questions regarding preferences about pigments or techniques used along antiquity. Particularly looking for the texture of the inks, their composition, and elasticity to be applied in two completely opposite body modification techniques. Based on a small fraction of the archaeological and etymological global record.

This experiment studies the spatial distribution of the knapping debris generated during the configuration of a biface of Acheulean tradition with the aim of analyzing how this dispersion differs according to the production phase to which the flake belongs. The knapping was carried out by Javier Baena at the Laboratory of Experimental Archaeology of the UAM (LAEX) and the spatial results were taken with the Total Station. Afterwards, these were processed with QGIS and, after the elaboration of a database with the Excel program, it was observed that there could be a distinguished spatial distribution and that the shift between stages is not an abrupt or linear event. It is an innovative experimental approach in the field of research on the remains produced during the configuration of a lithic tool and in the microstratigraphic analysis of the knapping areas in paleolithic sites.

Tracing ancient artisanal gestures: Digital applications and experimental archaeology on South Italian red-figure pottery production

This article retraces the long tradition of research in material culture and functional studies in the Department of Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology in Tübingen. While the first lectures in prehistory in Tübingen date back to the late 19th century and speculation about the function of tools has a long history in Tübingen, more systematic research in these areas began in the early 1980s. Building on the earlier work by Hansjürgen Müller-Beck, Rolf Rottländer, Joachim Hahn, and others, Linda Owen and Günther Unrath began a program of rigorous study of traceology and helped to turn the Department into one of the most active centers for microwear and residue analyses in Europe. Today this tradition is alive and well in multiple contexts in the activities and projects carried out by the Department. In the wake of establishing the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment in 2017, and in connection with the arrival of Flavia Venditti in Tübingen, we formally founded the current Material Culture Laboratory (MCL) as the core facility of the University of Tübingen in 2020. In 2021, the city of Schelklingen and the Department of Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology established the Eiszeitstudio Hohle Fels and employed Rudolf Walter, who, with support from a large team of students and researchers, has energized our long program in experimental archaeology and thereby strengthened the MCL.

Activity locales at Ohalo II, a 23,000-year-old submerged fisher-hunter-gatherers’ camp in the sea of Galilee, Israel, reconstructed through experimental archaeology and contextual taphonomy of broken bladelets

From Questions to Inferences: Methodological Principles for the Use of Experimental Archaeology in Rock Art Research

This study presents the first systematic investigation of ancient Egyptian votive animal mummy wrappings, based on the analysis of an extensive dataset encompassing specimens from various museum collections and archaeologicalcontexts. The research addresses the long-standing neglect and fragmented understanding of the wrapping chaîne opératoire and aims to establish a consistent terminology, as the different stages of the wrapping sequence, bundle shapes, and decorative patterns have often been described vaguely. Through an interdisciplinary methodology that integrates photogrammetry, colorant identification, textile analysis, and experimental archeology, the study explores the complexity of wrapping practices across their different stages. This approach offers new insights into the structural logic, raw material selection, and design conventions behind this production. The analysis reveals that the bundles exhibit standardized shapes and decorative patterns grounded in well-established visual criteria and manufacturing sequences. These findings demonstrate that the wrappings reflect a codified visual language and a high level of technical knowledge, deeply rooted in Egyptian tradition. The study also emphasizes its economic implications: the wrapping significantly enhanced the perceived value of the offering, becoming the primary element influencing both its material and symbolic worth. Ultimately, this work provides an interpretative framework for understanding wrapping as an essential medium of ritual sacralization for votive animal mummies, allowing the individual prayer to be effectively conveyed to the intended deity. Consequently, this research marks a significant step forward in advancing the technical, aesthetic, and ritual insight of wrapping practices, which preserve a wealth of still-overlooked information.

Reconstructing technology: Late Neolithic oven construction techniques at Vinča–Belo Brdo– excavation methodology and experimental archaeology

Background and Aims: Qin-Han clay seals have traditionally been viewed as bureaucratic artifacts with limited artistic value. This study challenges such views by examining these objects' aesthetic and cultural significance, situating them at the intersection of administrative regulation and artistic production. The research aims to: (1) catalog the typological spectrum and formal diversity of Qin-Han clay seals, (2) uncover aesthetic values and engraving paradigms, and (3) reinterpret the doctrine of “Yinzong Qin-Han” through material and symbolic analysis. Methodology: An interdisciplinary methodology was employed, integrating archaeological typology, visual semiotics, and digital humanities. The study analyzed over 1,200 seal specimens using tools like 3D modeling, XRF composition analysis, and experimental archaeology. It introduced a “material-art-history” conceptual framework, combining institutional, material, and expressive dimensions. Results: The analysis identified six major seal types and revealed significant regional and material variation. Notably, 14% of Qin seals contain hybrid scripts, contradicting long-standing assumptions of uniform script policy. Findings showed that artisans creatively negotiated institutional constraints through aesthetic deviation. Late Qing artists, particularly Wu Changshuo, intentionally revived and recontextualized Qin-Han visual motifs, demonstrating a lineage of artistic reinterpretation. Conclusion: Qin-Han clay seals embody a complex interplay of institutional authority, material agency, and aesthetic innovation. The concept of “Administrative Aesthetics” redefines these artifacts as dynamic carriers of historical memory and cultural identity. This research not only reframes traditional art historiography but also proposes practical implications for heritage preservation, digital curation, and cultural revitalization.

This study investigates the influence of seasons and weather conditions on cremation processes, using experimental archaeology and advanced analytical techniques. Four outdoor cremation experiments were conducted across different seasons in Greece, during which the four fleshed legs (front and hind) of the same domestic pig (Sus scrofa) were burned. The study highlights the effects of variables such as temperature, dryness of fuelwood, atmospheric pressure, and precipitation on the structural and chemical composition of burned bones. Results demonstrate a strong correlation between burning conditions and isotopic (δ13C, δ18O) as well as infrared indices (Infrared Splitting Factor (IRSF), Carbonyl-to-Carbonate ratio (C/C)), which are temperature-related. Comparisons with archaeological data from Belgium reveal potential seasonal patterns in past cremation practices. The findings underscore the need for expanded experimental research in various geographical areas with different altitudes and weather conditions to further investigate how the location in which burning was performed in combination with weather conditions affected the cremation settings and therefore past funerary practices.

This study investigates technological traces in stone epigraphs to reconstruct the methods, tools, and gestures used by artisans. It aims to analyze the techniques behind these inscriptions, highlighting skills, challenges, and interactions between craftspeople and stone, as well as territorial differences. Experimental archaeology enables the creation of a reference collection of replicated inscriptions, providing a comparative framework for technological trace analysis. By integrating experimental archaeology with traceological analysis, this research introduces a novel methodology for epigraphic studies through qualitative and quantitative approaches. A key contribution is the use of micro-photogrammetry as a non-invasive, non-destructive documentation technique, particularly valuable for fieldwork. This method enables high-resolution, meso-scale recording of inscriptions, even on immobile surfaces, common in epigraphic studies. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses are applied to interpret technological traces, including fatigue and abrasive wear. These traces reveal information on the direction, depth, and angle of engraving, shedding light on artisans' techniques and challenges. Quantitative methods refine the analysis by providing precise insights into the engraved surface topography and roughness. Moreover, slope analysis clarifies tool orientation and movement, enabling the visualization of trace profiles and validating qualitative observations.

From post-mortem practice to forensic insight. A review of craniotomy studies.

The history of humankind has been shaped by the development of tools and technology, with tool use playing a critical role in human adaptation and survival. The Neolithic period marked a fundamental shift from foraging to agriculture and sedentism, during which grinding tools such as querns (galpan) and handstones (galdol) emerged as key implements for processing plant-based resources. These tools not only facilitated daily subsistence activities but also offer vital insights into Neolithic technology, dietary practices, and social organization. In Korea, various types of querns and handstones have been excavated from Neolithic sites, yet prior studies have primarily focused on typology and excavation data, lacking comprehensive analyses of manufacturing techniques, functional variability, and socio-cultural implications. This study aims to bridge these gaps by analyzing the manufacturing processes and use-wear traces of Neolithic grinding tools. Through a combination of experimental archaeology and ethnographic comparisons, this research r econstructs t ool u se b ehaviors a nd examines h ow f actors s uch as material properties, user posture, duration of use, and grinding techniques influence patterns of wear and surface modification. The results demonstrate that grinding tools reflect not only functional use but also broader aspects of labor division, technological knowledge, resource management, and symbolic practices. Additionally, considering the full life cycle of these tools—from production to use and disposal—reveals their embedded meanings within Neolithic communities. This study emphasizes the value of grinding tools as integrated cultural artifacts that embody both the practical and symbolic dimensions of Neolithic life, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of prehistoric societies and proposing new directions for future research.

Antler overlays-plates for strengthening bows, which appeared in the Hunnic period, underwent significant changes by the IX and X centuries and soon disappeared. There is an opinion that these ear and grip plates were used to strengthen the joints during bow making, and then with the development of new gluing methods the bows became much stronger and more durable making such overlays unnecessary. During the same period, the bowcase for carrying a strung bow appeared. Its use may have been made possible by changes in the design of bows that made them suitable to leave the bow strung for long periods of time. A bow that could be carried strung for long periods of time not only eliminated the need of stringing, but also gave the warrior a significant combat advantage.

Photogrammetric 3D modelling and experimental archaeology reveals new technological insights into engraved soapstone sinker production in Western Norway (6400-3300 cal. BC)

Despite extensive research into the biomechanical and cognitive dimensions of early hominin material culture, no study has explored these aspects together in the context of stone tool production and use. In contrast to fields like rehabilitation and sports science, where electroencephalography (EEG) and surface electromyography (sEMG) are often integrated, experimental archaeology lacks such a combined approach. This paper introduces and validates a new protocol that integrates EEG and sEMG to measure neuromechanical activity during a classic stone tool task: cutting leather with a flake. Our experimental design divides the task into three phases: Hold, Aim, and Execute. Consistent with our expectations, results show that all eight muscles are most active during task execution, with the non-dominant hand playing a key role in stabilization during both the Aim and Execute phases. In the preparatory Aim stage, we observed increased beta power in the left frontal region (linked to planning, problem-solving, and working memory) as well as heightened motor activity associated with using the non-dominant hand, which contributes to the stabilization of the target material during this stage. During the Execute phase, beta power in these cortical areas decreased, with peak muscle activation occurring alongside suspected beta desynchronization in the motor region, reflecting intensified movement activity. Overall, these findings closely align with our expectations, validating our combined EEG-sEMG protocol and highlighting the importance of segmenting tool-using tasks into distinct phases, which allows for the identification of dynamic brain-hand interactions throughout the process. The proposed step-by-step protocol offers a new methodological basis for future research into the complexities of hominin behaviors and tool use.