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Studies
Experimental Pottery Firing in Closed Firing Devices from the Neolithic - Hallstatt Period
Richard Thér, Society for Experimental Archaeology, Hradec Králové, CZ
This work attempts to evaluate the results of a series experimental pottery firings with particular regard to closed firing devices of the Neolithic - Hallstatt era, which took place on the grounds at the Centre of Experimental Archaeology in Všestary from 1999 - 2004.
We used a number of devices, starting with a subsurface clamp-kiln, partially subsurface one-chamber kiln based on a LBK find, a subsurface one-chamber horizontal kiln based on a find dated to Lusatian culture and a subsurface two-chamber vertical kiln with grate, modelled on a Lengyel feature. During each single test we attempted to optimise the firing process in the sense of reaching the highest possible temperature with the lowest energy input, while keeping the pottery charge as undamaged as possible. We exploited the experience of potters who practised firing in so called 'natural' kilns, although this subordinated the technology and firing regime to certain social-culturally founded experiences, which do not need to correspond with the experience of prehistoric potters.
The experiments allowed us to compare the characteristics of various devices used under the same conditions. Among others, we attempted to determine the thermal profiles for the kilns. The temperature of the pottery firing was measured by thermocouples placed touching the surface of the pottery. We endeavoured to measure the temperature in at least two places of the oven -the places of where highest and lowest temperatures were presumed to be.
The simple firing devices have advantages which could, in certain situations be the reason they would be chosen (low fuel consumption, insignificant amount of energy and time needed for building, movability, possibility of use for other purposes). A potter with sufficient experience could produce in these devices ware, the properties of which would fulfil his expectations, with minimal losses. The maximum temperature does not need to differ to firings of more advanced devices. We cannot automatically exclude firings in bonfire even when considering firings approaching 1 000°C. The choice of more progressive devices may not be a natural decision. On the contrary, for a part time potter who produces only small amounts of utility ware, the technical and aesthetic parameters of which can be achieved in any of the above-mentioned firing devices, a simple firing device like a bonfire or clamp would be a 'good' choice. The terms of the technological progress are relative and it can depend on what parameters we choose for assessing progress. The reason for the development or adoption of new types of firing devices does not seem to be part of a systematic search for improvements in the properties of existing pottery production. Rather it seems to concern newly developed social needs of society with moves towards more complexity, increasing differentiation and dynamism.
Problems of Measuring Physical Performance in Experimental Archaeology
Marek Štěpán, Society for Experimental Archaeology, Hradec Králové, CZ
The aim of this work was to study physical requirements of activities presumed to have occurred in prehistory, their impact on human physiology and to create a scale for single activities organised according to relative energy expenditure. The research took place between 1998 and 2003, mostly at the grounds of the Centre for Experimental Archaeology Všestary, Czech Republic. The main investigative group contained only one person - him, to insure the integrity of the research. In future, it is intended to expend the project into a team of experimenters.
To evaluate the physical performance, energy expenditure was counted as it is considered as the most conclusive evaluation of physical work. The author used three different ways of determining energy expenditure with various rates of accuracy adopted from sports medicine. The first least accurate method concerned a classification according to the type of activity. The second method calculated energy expenditure as a sum of basal metabolic rate, energy expenditure for body position, energy expenditure for a given activity and energy expenditure for the body movement independent of work rate. The most accurate method available expresses energy expenditure by measuring heart rate. It is based on the relation of oxygen consumption to heart rate under defined conditions. The heart rate was monitored during work with a Sport tester and at the same time the reaction of various body segments to various activities were observed and recorded. The tested and evaluated activities were, for each method, arranged from those with lowest energy requirements to the most demanding ones. The lists also consider a number of outside variables that effects energy expenditure and thus influence the result. Although the measured values would always be related to people of01-Aug-2005nto the relative relation between various activities. How close the results are to prehistoric reality is a subject for debate and further research.
I would like to apologize for an incomplete bibliography in the article. It was caused by technical reasons. Here is the complete PDF version. (Richard Thér)
Items
A necklace of a woman from Chamblandes (Switzerland)
Fashion in the fourth millennium BC: Necklace from the grave no. 1 from Pully-Chamblandes
Paulette Pauc: Recherches & Développement Culturel en Corbieres, 11220 Coustouge; EHESS Toulouse, France, Patrick Moinat : MHAVD Lausanne, Suisse, Jacques Reinhard : Service archéologique de Neuchâtel; Galerie-Atelier O'Local Estavayer-le-Lac, Suisse
In 1943 Louis Bosset uncovered in Pully-Chamblandes a prehistoric cemetery. One of the cists found contained an inhumation with many ornaments in the neck area. Anthropological analysis determined that the burial belonged to a woman, about 30 years old.
In 2003, based on new research, a new replica of the necklace was made in the Gallery - Studio O'Local d'Estavayer-le-Lac under the supervision of Jacques Reinhard. The necklace contained 20 pendants of white marble in the shape of an axe, 41 rings of white marble, 39 cylindrical beads of white marble, 3 cylindrical beads of brown coal, 12 tube shaped beads of the shell of Worm-shell (Dendropoma) and 7 round or semi round beads of Lithosperma seeds. The diameter of the beads from the Worm-shell corresponds in diameter to the other elements of the necklace, which suggests that these were adjusted as it is easier to make models and choose seeds of wanted size that supply seashells. The necklace cord may have been made from a linen thread of a 1 mm diameter but possibly from very thin tapes of poplar bast.
The careful choice of Worm-shell cylinders with similar diameters, which corresponds to the diameter of the other elements of the necklace, points towards precise and valuable work. This necklace is unique because of its composition from beads of different materials. Their combination might have created an impression that it is an ornament of an outstanding aesthetic value. Its value consists also in the careful choice of the material and the time needed for its making.
Experiments on pottery manufacture
Felix Adrian Tencariu, Romania
The article describes the first attempts to recreate pottery production of the Romanian Neolithic including building and testing of various firing devices confirmed or supposed to have been used in that era.
Two burnt-down houses examined
Jeroen P. Flamman, Netherlands
After two experimental constructions of LBK houses burnt down accidentally, Dutch archaeologists observed and recorded the formatting processes. The article brings a preliminary report of the first two years of the project.
Education
I'll never be the same again!'
Inspiring a passion for the past by working with young people out of school
Towse Harrison, Sun Jester: Consultants for Lifelong Learning, Historical Interpretation and Community Arts, United Kingdom
The Project 'Window on the Past'
Vaněčková, Markéta, Villa Nova, Czech Republic
Educational Introduction to the Historical Workshops in Denmark
Jorgen Bay, Skoletjeneste, Denmark
Discussion
Mock-up Presentation of the Gate Tower to the Hill fort at Liptovská Mara
Dr Oto Makýš, Department of Building Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
The author discusses the importance of including maintenance costs while planning an experimental construction based on the example of Liptovská Mara.
On the responsibilities of accurately interpreting prehistoric life in full scale
Gunter Schöbel, museum director Pfahlbaumuseum Unteruhldingen, Germany
The author summarises the development of the concept of an open-air museum and calls for discussion, which should formulate quality criteria.
Reports
The MA in Experimental Archaeology at the University of Exeter Becomes More Established
Dr. Alan K. Outram, Department of Archaeology, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
Archaeopark Liboc. Origins and Conception of one Educational Project
Michal Bureš, Pavel Vařeka, Czech Republic
. The Archaeopark in Liboc was founded in 1994 to improve the accessibility to the results of archaeological research and raise awareness of archaeological heritage. The Archaeopark itself is divided into two parts: one representing the early medieval environment of the settlement below Prague castle and another representing the late medieval environment of countryside around Prague.
Project Delphi
Miriam Bloema, Netherlands
Reviews
Kathy Fox and Heidi Hollis, graduates of the MA in Archaeology for Screen Media, Bristol University, United Kingdom
Dai Morgan Evans: Rebuilding the Past: A Roman Villa
J. Kateřina Dvořáková, United Kingdom
It takes two
Roeland P. Paardekooper, Historisch Openluchtmuseum Eindhoven, Netherlands
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