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Experimental Archaeology: A New Outlook

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Stephen C. Saraydar
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Cornell University
Izumi Shimada
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona

Abstract

The potential contributions which imitative experiments can make to archaeology are far greater in scope, complexity, and overall "value" than is commonly realized. A sketch of some of these potential contributions is given and, in support of the claims advanced, a method of measuring the efficiency of hand operated implements is described and then applied in a comparison of different agricultural practices. The results show that experiments can provide important data unobtainable by traditional research methods and aid in the analysis of past subsistence and technological systems.

Type
Reports
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1973

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