Session title: EXPERIMENTING THE PAST. THE POSITION OF EXPERIMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARADIGM OF THE 21 CENTURY

In the second part of the 20 century, experimental archaeology gradually grew as a sub-discipline of archaeology. It often finds a mixed acceptance in mainstream academia, as different people mean different things when they use the term ‘experimental archaeology’. Whereas many flint knapping experiments have greatly enhanced the understanding of the lithics chaînes opératories of certain sites and traditions, house ‘re’constructions are often criticised for reducing the complexity and potential variables found in the archaeological record. Experimental archaeology has a vast potential to test our practical hypotheses. However it can also unlock the sense world of the past, as well as uncover problems and unforeseen aspects of our theoretical arguments. These issues need to be engaged with in an interdisciplinary way. The present session intends to put together some of the current trends in European experimental archaeology, and will try to identify emergent original trends within the present paradigm. Theoretical papers are encouraged as well as traditional experimental case studies. We are especially interested in the way the young generation of European archaeologists approach experimental archaeology today and what the future of the discipline might hold. Additionally we will encourage those who would like to present part of their experimental work in a workshop organised alongside the session.