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Experimental Archaeology: Mycenaean Human and Animal Figurines

The students in Prof. Hasaki's  graduate seminar on experimental archaeology (Fall 2024) attempted to recreate the ubiquitous human and animal figurines from the Mycenaean times. In this experiment they recorded their set of gestures, issues with rapid drying, and assessed the mastery level that a contemporary maker needed to have.

Experimental Archaeology: Mycenaean Human and Animal Figurines

The students in Prof. Hasaki's  graduate seminar on experimental archaeology (Fall 2024) attempted to recreate the ubiquitous human and animal figurines from the Mycenaean times. In this experiment they recorded their set of gestures, issues with rapid drying, and assessed the mastery level that a contemporary maker needed to have.

Lefkandi Centaur: Recreating an Iconic Figuring from Iron Age Greece

For his final project in Ancient Greek Technology (Spring 2024) Dillon Britten recreated a replica of the iconic The Lefkandi Centaur from the Greek Iron Age. The Lefkandi, or also known as the Euboea Centaur was discovered in the year 1969 by the British School at Athens and was excavated in a cemetery known as Toumba in Lefkandi, Euboea. The original clay statuette is 36 centimeters (14.2 inches) tall and 26 centimeters (10.2 inches) long and is the largest terracotta figurine and earliest of a centaur discovered in the region of the Aegean. Dillon worked closely with the Resident Potter, Cynthia Jones, and Prof. Eleni Hasaki.

Lefkandi Centaur: Recreating an Iconic Figuring from Iron Age Greece

For his final project in Ancient Greek Technology (Spring 2024) Dillon Britten recreated a replica of the iconic The Lefkandi Centaur from the Greek Iron Age. The Lefkandi, or also known as the Euboea Centaur was discovered in the year 1969 by the British School at Athens and was excavated in a cemetery known as Toumba in Lefkandi, Euboea. The original clay statuette is 36 centimeters (14.2 inches) tall and 26 centimeters (10.2 inches) long and is the largest terracotta figurine and earliest of a centaur discovered in the region of the Aegean. Dillon worked closely with the Resident Potter, Cynthia Jones, and Prof. Eleni Hasaki.

Publications by Hasaki and Martin

Eleni Hasaki and Stephanie Martin  published their research in an edited volume by E. Angliker and J. Tully, Cycladic Archaeology and Research: New Approaches and Discoveries (Oxford, 2018). Eleni Hasaki co-authored the chapter "Terracotta Statues from Ayia Irini, Kea: An Experimental Replication." Martin's chapter was entitled “Abandoning Akrotiri (Thera): A Comparative Model Approach to Relocation Strategies After Volcanic Eruptions.”

Publications by Hasaki and Martin

Eleni Hasaki and Stephanie Martin  published their research in an edited volume by E. Angliker and J. Tully, Cycladic Archaeology and Research: New Approaches and Discoveries (Oxford, 2018). Eleni Hasaki co-authored the chapter "Terracotta Statues from Ayia Irini, Kea: An Experimental Replication." Martin's chapter was entitled “Abandoning Akrotiri (Thera): A Comparative Model Approach to Relocation Strategies After Volcanic Eruptions.”

Schiffer Pottery Sale December 7 from 9AM-5PM



Our beloved colleague and LTT founder Dr. Michael Schiffer has graciously agreed to sell some of his wonderful creations to benefit the Louie and Frances-Fera Schiffer Scholarship, which provides funding for archaeology graduate students to present a poster or paper at a national meeting. 

 

All proceeds go to the scholarship fund but we would like to emphasize that any amount you contribute above the stated price is fully tax deductible as a charitable donation.

 

The sale will take place this Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, from 9AM-5PM in theLaboratory for Traditional Technology (Haury #125). Needless to say that his pots make wonderful Christmas presents.

Potter's Wheels in Ancient Greece

Eleni Hasaki: Potters' Wheels in Ancient Greece

An on-going study of the possibilities and limitations of a hand-operated potter's wheel. A number of professional potters have tested it and their times for completing various stages in the forming process have been recorded. For a UA story on this project click here 

Publications with undergraduate students involved in  this experimental program include:

Neth, B., and E. Hasaki. 2021. The Potter’s Wheel in Ancient Greece: Experimental Archaeology and Web Applications for Velocity, IANSA 2: 115–125

Hasaki, E. 2019.Potters and their Wheels in Ancient Greece: Skills and Secrets in Communities of Practice. In M. Denti and M. Villette (eds.), Archéologie des espaces artisanaux. Fouiller et comprendre les gestes des potiers, Rennes, 297–314 (with appendix by Honors Undergraduate student,  D. Pont, 313–314)

 

LTT Global Engagement

LTT Global Engagement

Our students conduct research all across the globe focusing on cultures of different periods.

LTT Global Engagement

LTT Global Engagement

Our students conduct research all across the globe focusing on cultures of different periods.

Support LTT

Scope: The Laboratory for Traditional Technology focuses on the study  of traditional technologies (both in antiquity and in recent times) primarily through experimental archaeology. Major areas of research are ceramics and metallurgy. The lab has a fully-functioning ceramic studio as well as equipment for processing metallurgical samples. It houses graduate students as long-term interns and short-term visitors. Currently the lab offers ceramic instruction through the LTT Resident Ceramics Instructor and hosts a number of lectures throughout the academic year.

LTT Ceramics Instruction: Fall 2024 Tuesdays 11:00am-1:00pm

History: The Laboratory for  Traditional Technology has a long and celebrated history at the School of Anthropology.  Professor Michael Brian Schiffer began in 1983 to collect equipment and write grant proposals for what would become, in 1984, the Laboratory for Traditional Technology. His goal was to enable  archaeology students, who previously lacked facilities, to carry out experiments and analyze materials. Prof. Schiffer together with James M. Skibo (Laboratory's Assistant Director until 1991), co-authored publications in ceramic technology and archaeological theory and method. A large number number of students have conducted research in the lab, as part of their Ph.D. research.  Beginning in 2013,  The Laboratory of Traditional Technology is managed by Profs. Hasaki, Killick, and Triadan continuing the focus on traditional technologies, and keeping the laboratory as a welcoming place for  UA students, faculty, and visiting scholars to conduct their research.