Photo: Anders Botnmark
When we see old crafts in action, it’s easy to think that we’re getting a glimpse of the past. Does a blacksmith who makes a Viking sword really show how it was done in the past, or do we have to dig deeper to find out the truth?
Craft demonstrations give us a vivid insight into the techniques of the past, while experimental archaeology is about scientific research to test how something really worked. One conveys history – the other examines it.
Let’s explore the differences together.
Craft demonstrations – “See how it’s done!”
Craft demonstrations are about showcasing old craft traditions. A skilled craftsman uses traditional tools and techniques to make something – for example, forging, pottery, or weaving. The goal is to convey historical knowledge and give the audience an understanding of how people in the past worked. There is often a focus on aesthetics and skill, and the result is important.
Experimental archaeology – “How did this actually work?”
Experimental archaeology is more than just making something ? It is a scientific method of understanding the past. Here, researchers and archaeologists test hypotheses by recreating the technology and processes of the past. They carry out systematic experiments to see how something might have been done, how long it takes, what traces it leaves behind, and whether archaeological finds agree with their theories.
In the picture above, Professor Gørill Nilsen tests how people in the Iron Age and Middle Ages in Northern Norway extracted whale and seal oil[1]. Nilsen constructed stone pits and used heated stones to melt fat from whales and seals. The experiment showed that the method was very effective, and in this way people could obtain large amounts of oil for light, cooking, preservation and impregnation.
The table shows the differences between craft demonstration and experimental archaeology.
| Comparison criteria | Craft demonstration | Experimental archaeology |
| Goal | Convey historical crafts and techniques to the public. | Testing hypotheses and understanding how things actually worked in the past. |
| Focus | To create something with traditional techniques. | To test scientific theories about the technology and methods of the past. |
| Method | Hands-on demonstration of well-known crafts. | Systematic experimentation based on archaeological findings. |
| Accuracy | Can be adapted to modern materials and methods to make the process more audience-friendly. | Rigorous use of authentic materials, tools, and techniques to test theories. |
| Scientific approach | More educational than scientific – is about showing and explaining. | Based on research and testing, often with thorough documentation of the process. |
| Audience | Often interactive and aimed at visitors to museums, festivals, etc. | Primarily for archaeologists and researchers, but can also be part of dissemination. |
| Examples | A blacksmith demonstrates Viking Age forging techniques. | Researchers are testing whether a Viking sword can be forged using only the technology of the time. |
| Result | A finished product (e.g. a clay jar or a forged knife). | A better understanding of the technology of the past, with documented discoveries and results. |
In short: Craft demonstrations are about showing how something was done, while experimental archaeology investigates whether and how a historical technique actually worked.
*This article is written with the help of ChatGPT.
[1]Gørill Nilsen, «Surplus Production and Marine Resource Use in the North», Norwegian Iron Age, The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology (2017) 1?22. DOI: 10.1111/1095-9270.12237.