Using Experimental Archaeology to Engage the Public in Arkansas

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Experimental Pedagogies: Teaching through Experimental Archaeology Part II" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

One aspect of the Arkansas Archeological Survey’s mission is “to share what we learn with the people of Arkansas.” But how do we share and explain larger concepts such as innovation and technique changes in hunting or gardening when all we have archaeologically is a broken spearpoint or a resharpening flake from a hoe blade? Experimental archaeology and replication of tools has been essential to answering this question in Arkansas. People will stop at a table showing replica tools almost immediately upon seeing it and most people are excited when offered the opportunity to actually try out the tool. After a couple of attempts at throwing a spear with an atlatl or using a pump drill, engagement and questions abound. When these activities are done in small groups, constructivist, collaborative, and reflective pedagogical approaches are utilized. Participants have experiences that lend themselves to better understanding how the technologies work and bring these up to help other participants understand things as well. Students and members of the public come away from engagement with experimental archaeology and replica tools with an appreciation of the skill and innovation it took to design those technologies and with more respect for Native American ingenuity.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)   •
• Experimental Pedagogies: Teaching through Experimental Archaeology Part II

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Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 39250.0