EAC 13 - Torun, Poland
The EXARC/EAC conference held from 1–3 May 2023 at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland marked EXARC’s first fully hybrid conference. Building on experience gained during the 2021 EAC World Tour, the event successfully combined in-person and online participation by using pre-recorded presentations broadcast via EXARC’s YouTube channel. This innovative format allowed broad international participation, ensured smooth scheduling, and created a relaxed environment for presenters, while live and remote speakers alike engaged in question-and-answer sessions.
The conference opened with welcoming addresses from university representatives, organisers, and EXARC’s president, followed by a keynote on the history, science, and education of experimental archaeology in Poland. Sessions were introduced by short sponsor videos and generally ran in parallel thematic tracks, covering an exceptionally wide range of topics.
Across ten sessions, presenters explored experimental archaeology from multiple perspectives, including lithics, bone and organic materials, pyrotechnology, architecture, textiles, shipbuilding, metalworking, food and drink, pigments, and body decoration. Numerous papers demonstrated how experimental methods contribute to understanding chaîne opératoire, use-wear, technological choices, and cultural practices across prehistoric and historic contexts. Experimental archaeology’s role in public engagement, education, archaeological open-air museums, and reenactment was also a recurring theme.
Several sessions highlighted methodological advances, including the use of robotics, reference collections, imaging techniques, experimental design tools, and open-source collaboration. Others focused on the practical realities of reconstruction projects such as Viking ships, chariots, buildings, boats, and crafts, illustrating how experimental work challenges assumptions and reveals decision-making processes in the past.
A significant and moving component of the conference was the launch of the Support Ukraine Network (SUN). Through a dedicated round table, Ukrainian colleagues shared how museums and open-air sites continue to preserve cultural heritage amid war. The initiative aims to connect individuals and organisations to support Ukraine’s cultural heritage in both the short and long term, emphasising the fundamental role of culture in identity and resilience.
Two fully online-only sessions demonstrated that pre-recorded content could be seamlessly integrated into the conference programme, ensuring equal access for remote participants. The availability of all presentations on EXARC’s YouTube channel has made the conference a true Open Access event, extending its impact far beyond those attending live.
Overall, the hybrid format proved highly successful. Strong technical support ensured smooth delivery, while the diversity of topics, presenters, and approaches highlighted EXARC’s unique global community. The conference showcased how experimental archaeology continues to grow through collaboration, shared knowledge, and inclusive practices, making EAC13 a landmark event in both scope and accessibility.
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