Essays on Experimental Archaeology

Few people know the name Hōkūle’a, yet its importance in some archaeological circles is unquestionable.  The Hōkūle’a is a full-scale replica of a double-hulled Polynesian canoe, known as a wa’a kaulua.  It was constructed in the late 1970s and sailed from Hawaii to Tahiti in order to prove that the Polynesian canoes could have been used to trade with the ancient Americans.  The construction of the Hōkūle’a is a prime example of experimental archaeology.

Experimental archaeology is a specialized field of archaeology where only techniques and technology available to specific ancient civilizations are used to demonstrate how certain things, such as the Polynesian canoes trade usage, might have been possible.  Experimental archaeology is often used to gather data on the reasonableness of a given hypothesis, not one the absolute accuracy of the hypothesis itself.

Perhaps one of the most well known examples of experimental archaeology centers around one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the Great Pyramids of Giza.  Over many decades, archaeologists have proposed several possible techniques on their construction.  Using a variety of experimental archaeology techniques, each has attempted to show how the ancient Egyptians could have done the work, though conclusive proof has yet to be found.

• How have programs such as “Building the Impossible” affected the field of experimental archaeology?  Are the time constraints placed upon the workers by the documentary deadlines incentive or impediments to experimental archaeology?
• How can the results of experimental archaeology help with the investigation of ancient technologies and cultures?  Can the lack of knowledge of ancient techniques interfere with the usefulness of experimental archaeology data?

Every discipline has its points of controversy.  For archaeology, experimental archaeology definitely fits this description.  Opponents attack with arguments that, since experimental archaeology proves nothing, the entire category is less than useless.  Proponents claim that by proving something could have been done in a certain way allows new avenues of exploration and understanding of the many anomalistic discoveries over the years.

Regardless of one’s position on the topic, understanding and communicating the significance of experimental archaeological findings takes strong academic skills, including the ability to write effectively.  Since not everyone has such talent, many turn to companies like ours for assistance.  Our fully qualified research writers are ready and will to assist at a moment’s notice on your experimental archaeology essay.