Experimental Archaeology

Knapping

CAHO has a strong interest in experimental archaeology. Our location in southern England gives us access to good sources of flint for knapping experiments and all students at CAHO have an opportunity to try their hand at flint knapping. Flintknapping is conducted regularly at CAHO for research purposes. CAHO students and/or staff come together to knap, using a special knapping area close to the John Wymer Palaeolithic Laboratory. CAHO provide a variety of hammerstones, flint nodules and the relevant safety gear for anybody interested in learning to knap.

The research students have recently established the Southampton University Knapping Society (SUKS) and meet regularly to practice their knapping skills. We also hope to organise some knapping events with visiting experts in the near future.

Butchery

CAHO have developed links with Sparsholt College, near Winchester where the Game and Wildlife department have in the past, kindly offered us the opportunity to undertake butchery experiments: we provide the stone tools and they provide the deer. This was organised by research students and MA students and interested undergraduates were encouraged to participate. It is hoped that this collaboration will become a regular one, and all new students will be encouraged to help and participate in all experimental archaeological practices.

Lejre Experimental Centre, Denmark

A number of research students from CAHO obtained research grants from the Lejre Experimental Archaeology Research Centre in Denmark and travelled there to undertake experiments in flintknapping, handedness, flint tool use, and wood working. Thanks to the generous grants of the centre these research projects have contributed to the Ph.D. projects of those students and future collaborations are expected.