Experimental archaeology

During the summer of this year, the first Experimental Archaeology Research (EAR1) session of the project took place in Poland. This two-week international event marked a key stage in the project’s methodological programme, providing a foundation for future analytical and comparative work. The research focused on building a comprehensive reference base for the analysis of raw materials, particularly products made from plant fibres, as well as on reconstructing the technological processes of wood working and documenting the associated macro- and microscopic traces.

These experiments were part of a broader experimental research programme, essential for addressing questions arising from ongoing analytical results. Such ad hoc experimentation is a standard and integral element of the project’s workflow, ensuring that interpretations are grounded in empirical observation.

During the late summer of this year, the second Experimental Archaeology Research session (EAR2) was held in Lithuania, concluding the project’s major experimental programme. This international workshop focused on experimental studies of use-wear and functional traces on wooden artefacts, directly complementing the outcomes of the Polish session (EAR1) conducted earlier in the summer.