Den experimentella musikarkeologin

Abstract

The aim of this essay is to try to find out what significance and relevance experimental archeology has within music archeological research. The study takes it starting point in four different aspects of experimental archaeology: replication, testability, archeology in action and conservation to approach the problems. The latter two can also have a potential synergistic effect, that is, connections that can serve to facilitate and broaden public engagement and appreciation of archeology and heritage in various contexts, from education to tourism. Experimental archeology involves recreating and conducting experiments, using ancient techniques, materials and instruments, of how people lived and acted in the past. It can therefore have a great significance in music archeological research by enabling a more concrete and practical understanding of ancient musical instruments. How they were built and what inherent musical qualities, acoustics, playability and tonality, they may have had. Experimental archeology can thus be helpful and useful when we look at technical and material aspects, manufacturing methods, material selection, craftsmanship and more. It is more difficult to draw concrete conclusions regarding what the music sounded like, how the music was used and its significance for its contemporaries.