Handcraft as Time Thavel

Abstract

According to the theory of special relativity the only possible form of time travel is to the future. Handcraft as a part of experimental archaeology is a way travelling to the past. The article discusses the concept of control theory in experimental archaeology widely applied in the Anglo-American and continental European tradition. The tradition is applied in Norway as well, especially in academic contexts. However, most experiments are geared towards action-mediated knowledge, in many cases starting as events that develop into long-term practices. The article proposes the need for a humanistic experimental archaeology expressed as action mediated knowledge, but has no firm answer as to how to verbalize it. The empirical material is mainly the eleven archaeological open air museums and the 23 existing archaeological reconstructed ships/boats of Norway, with special emphasis on Lofotr Viking Museum as an example well known to the author.