Roman experimental archaeology, from the bottom up
Lee Graña Nicolaou is a Research Fellow in Archaeology at the University of Bologna, Italy. He is an editor of The Bloomsbury Handbook of Experimental Approaches to Roman Archaeology.
Roman experimental archaeology, from the bottom up
In addition to working as Assistant Field Director of excavations at the CRC project (Pompeii, Italy) and Research Fellow on the Coastal Lagoons project (University of Bologna), I have recently co-edited the Bloomsbury Handbook of Experimental Approaches to Roman Archaeology (with Tatiana Ivleva and Bill Griffiths). This handbook is the first of its kind in Roman studies and it attempts to present a range of topics and current experimental research, while also promoting ethnographic and artisanal collaborations and offering a set of guidelines to non-academics wishing to contribute to the discourse.
My story
I decided my career path at age 11. Growing up working class in London, and coming from a Spanish immigrant family, my access to archaeology was restricted to visits to the British museum whenever I got the chance, no small prize indeed! Television, though arguably problematic as an educational resource, was vital those long evenings after school in a pre-internet city landscape. Time Team, above all, supplied a preliminary education in archaeological techniques, convincing me of conducting my first excavation of Victorian bricks in the playground of the Portobello Road Spanish school (Vicente Cañada Blanch) and earning me a worthwhile detention. Among the various books and magazines that followed, there was always a draw to reconstructions and replicas, which were frequently included in Time Team episodes, or Adam Heart Davis’ ‘What the Romans Did for Us’; even MythBusters dealt with ancient technology from time to time. How could one know what these objects looked like? What was done with them after? Surely all archaeology included experiments as part of the scientific discourse.
My undergraduate BA in Archaeology and Ancient History at the University of Reading was my first introduction to academic experimental archaeology. What was intended as a 45min session with husband-and-wife John and Val Lord (expert flint-knappers), ended three hours later, and those of us still staring intently at this artform were converts. The department at Reading was indeed influential, with an additional four experimental sessions throughout the BA, with some prehistoric students even incorporating experiments in their dissertations. My conundrum, however, as a Joint Honours student with the Classics department, was incorporating experiments in Roman studies.
After an MA at Leicester, I worked for five years as a commercial archaeologist and environmental archaeologist for Oxford, only continuing experimental research with the student-run Oxford Palaeolithic Technology Society, but never for publication or research. It was on my return to Reading and a PhD in ancient fishery studies, that the Oxford group gave me the opportunity to reconstruct fishing nets, first for a television programme (Channel 5’s ‘10,000 BC’) and finally for my own use in the interpretation of Roman fishing practices.
I soon became a member of EXARC (Experimental Archaeology Group), an invaluable resource for experimental research of any historical period. TRAC (The Theoretical Roman Archaeology Group) also supports experimental archaeology in Roman studies and, in 2018, Tatiana Ivleva organised a session on the subject at RAC/TRAC Edinburgh. I presented a paper on the challenges of Roman experimental research, and it was here where the editors first discussed the publication.
An additional workshop was organized that year (TRACamp) at Vindolanda Roman Fort. The sessions demonstrated that current experimental research covers a range of topics, from clothing and cooking to full-scale structures or the use of 3D reconstructions. The second day was open to the public and one could see the additional benefit of experimental research, as an attractive educational tool.
Quick Q&A interview:
What inspired you to write your book?
As for numerous Romanists, experimental archaeology was not sort after in my research but appeared to be a logical next step. It became instantly clear that there was very little written on the subject, so understanding how to combine data from experiments with Romanist studies was quite difficult. When Tatiana Ivleva organised a session at RAC/TRAC Edinburgh (2018), I was surprised by the number of likeminded Romanists who wanted to include and legitimise experiments in their research. It was here where the three editors decided a publication was needed.
What is/was the writing process like?
Arduous, to say the least! A volume of this size and this many contributors requires constant communication and a lot of time. That said, every deadline met, and chapter completed, is incredibly rewarding. It is also important to have a good repour with the contributors. As with everything, respect merits respect.
What chapter was the most fun to write?
The introductory chapter is the largest contribution by the editors, as opposed to our individual chapters and position papers, but it was also the most fun. Although it was impossible to write a comprehensive history of experimental archaeology in Roman studies, it was rewarding to have 100 years of this subdiscipline summarised in one place for the first time.
Why should we care about archaeology?
When I was at school and computers were only just being introduced to the classroom, the argument for studying history was the same as always: learn from our past to avoid making the same mistakes in our future. In a very short time, those giant 30kg and monochrome PCs had become smartphones by the time I was applying for my MA; and yet, with all our technological advances, the same threats persist. In my own field of ancient fisheries, I see a growing trend among modern fisheries: a combination of modern technology and ancient techniques to ensure more sustainable practices. It is clear to me that this is the ideal application of archaeology and that a greater understanding of the past is essential for reaching a more harmonious future.
What’s the most exciting thing you’ve found on a dig?
The best discoveries are those that remain a mystery and fuel the imagination. Once, while excavating on the grounds of one of the colleges at Oxford for a building extension, some of the ground disappeared beneath us to reveal a void. Upon further inspection and with a hole large enough to put our heads through, we could see a vaulted ceiling and walls disappearing into darkness. This was beyond our limit of excavation and not in threat of the construction work, so it was sealed and left unexcavated. What was hidden in that cellar? I often ask myself that question and perhaps one day we will find out.
How do you pick out a site and decide where to dig?
In my opinion, there are three types of sites: those in threat of destruction and therefore in need of excavation; those that are ‘culturally significant’ and protected, which will be excavated by academics for decades to come; and those that you pick yourself after ample investigation because the historical sources and smaller archaeological surveys suggest there is something of interest there. I have been fortunate to have excavated in dozens of sites relating to the former two. Next year, I will be fortunate enough to head an excavation on the latter type. The decision of where to dig is based on decades of small artefacts being uncovered by farmers and builders, a survey of keyhole investigations that provide us with small pieces of a large puzzle, and what historical evidence is available. In this case, the X on the map is drawn by us.
How do you become an archaeologist?
While a university degree does help, if you truly want to spend your adult life shifting dirt and earning minimum wage, you are already halfway there. There are many ways one can get involved in a dig without a degree, but the most crucial asset is passion for the subject. My approach, from a working-class background, was not easy, but once I showed my determination for the subject, I encountered an inclusive and supportive group. The amiable nature of our small community will encourage anybody wishing to become an archaeologist.
How can more people get involved in archaeology?
A large number of excavations in the UK are organised and conducted by local archaeological groups, several of which are supported by the Council for British Archaeology and can be contacted via their website. These often work alongside commercial units or museums and are in need of your support. It is also possible to get involved in field schools run by Universities, where enthusiasts are welcome alongside students.