(Although of course after anthropology class I am tempted to say that a) just because you can't recreate something in some way doesn't mean that way is "clearly wrong", and b) if you manage to recreate something following some theory, that still doesn't mean the theory is right. *ducks*)
Oh no, I agree on both of those things, absolutely. A lot of the past will be speculation perforce - and I think that's one of the things that makes it so exciting! - and I also think it's very, very important to bear in mind that recreating something and having it work does not prove that's how it was, it can only ever show how it might have been.
As to the experimental archaeology/re-enactment thing I don't know. I wonder if it's because one is counted as "academic" based and the other as "hobby", "weekend warrior" stuff? I'm just speculating here, because I can't think of another reason!
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syntheid
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Date: 2007-11-25 10:19 pm (UTC)Oh no, I agree on both of those things, absolutely. A lot of the past will be speculation perforce - and I think that's one of the things that makes it so exciting! - and I also think it's very, very important to bear in mind that recreating something and having it work does not prove that's how it was, it can only ever show how it might have been.
As to the experimental archaeology/re-enactment thing I don't know. I wonder if it's because one is counted as "academic" based and the other as "hobby", "weekend warrior" stuff? I'm just speculating here, because I can't think of another reason!
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Date: 2007-11-25 10:22 pm (UTC)Yeah, that's probably it. If you don't earn money with it, it's considered crazy. Alas!
And I absolutely agree on the excitement and fascination of finding out how it might have been.