Controls, conceits, and aiming for robust inferences in experimental archaeology

Abstract

Although experimental archaeology in some form has existed for more than a century, in the last couple of decades it has matured as a useful approach for making inferences and developing testable hypotheses about the archaeological record and the evolution of technology. However, despite several theoretical and methodological advances and growing consensus about best practices, problematic issues persist. One problem with which archaeologists must still contend – and our focus here – is understanding the inferential limits of an archaeological experiment. Using historic and modern experimental disagreements regarding North American beveled points as a case study, we explore issues of experimental controls and their tradeoff with experimental realism. We conclude with a discussion of several suggested ways archaeologists can temper inferences made from experiments.

Topics & Concepts