Reconstruction

“Reconstruction” is intended to refer to structures (buildings, earthworks, etc.), and “replication” for artifacts (weapons, clothing, pots, vehicles, etc.). Either of these activities might be intended to produce “compounds” for use in “experiments” or “observations”: using replica tools to build a longhouse which might then be monitored to see how a specific roof design performs under different weather conditions, or occupied as part of a “re-enactment.” Or the construction process itself might be “observed,” to see how much time and labour might be involved, etc.

At present, the main distinction is one of location: “structures” can be located on a map, while “replicas” will be portable. Then there are questions of whether modern or “traditional” (archaeological) methods and/or tools are used in the replication/reconstruction process, and if the archaeological methods are documented or merely inferred, etc. In some cases, “replication” might be treated as an “experiment”: “can this artifact be replicated using this method?”

The present list of entry fields includes:

• Reconstruction Name
• Reconstruction Type
• What do you want to reconstruct?
• Why do you want to reconstruct this?
• Activity Area
• Purpose
• Web Page
• Comment