History

In more than two years time, the „Landesmuseum für Natur und Mensch" in Oldenburg (former „Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde und Vorgeschichte") prepared the traveling exhibition „Experimental Archaeology in Germany". It was presented to the public in 1990. Subsequently, the exhibition was shown in 30 European cities. More than 500 000 visitors came to see it altogether. It was last shown in Venlo in the Netherlands until February 2004.

In association with the exhibition the first conference on experimental archaeology took place in Oldenburg from 20th to 22nd September 1990. By this first conference already, it was intended to establish contacts on an international level. It was followed by annual conferences of the „Workgroup of Experimental Archaeology" in changing places. These events got an increasing European character as more and more colleagues from different countries attended. Both annual conferences in Zug (CH) in 1998 and in Eindhoven (NL) in 2001 made them even more famous. In addition to the catalogue which accompanied the exhibition more than ten anthologies on experimental archaeology were published between 1990 and 2002. All came out as supplements to the specialist magazine „Archäologische Mitteilungen aus Nordwestdeutschland". There the latest results in research were published, which had mostly been presented on the preceding annual conference. Here, too, an increasing cooperation of authors from different European countries became evident.

A few years ago, the desire rose to firm the position of the international „Workgroup of Experimental Archaeology", which had been only loosely connected up to then. So in spring 2002 a committee developed ideas for the foundation of a European association for the advancement of experimental archaeology and worked out the statutes. The association was founded on 30th August 2002. The entry in the register of associations in Oldenburg was initiated on 12th October 2002.

Aim of the association is the promotion of works on experimental archaeology, the encouragement of contacts between academics / cultural and academic institutions on the one hand and the public on the other as well as the fostering of education on a national and European level. In addition to the annual publication of the magazine „Experimental Archaeology in Europe" the association supports special publications and academic events that relate to topics of experimental archaeology and its imparting.

Welcome

The board invites all colleagues who are interested in the theme and who whish to consider the benefits of being member of this association to fill out the registration form for becoming member and return it to us.