Experimental archaeology (EA) is constantly gaining in importance as a sub-discipline of archaeology. Through the use of scientific methods, techniques or analyses and by means of controlled reproducible experimentation, EA reviews archaeological interpretations and in doing so leads to new archaeological and historical findings.

In Switzerland, experimental archaeology remains relatively unestablished in university research and training, in archaeotechnology as well as education through museums and archaeological parks. This affects the acquisition of knowledge from the rich archaeological heritage on Swiss territory and impedes the historically correct access of broad sections of the population to concrete facts of life and work of former times.

To promote the professionalisation and embedment of experimental archaeology in Switzerland we therefore plan to establish a specialist unit which will perform the necessary tasks on the basis of scientifically solid approaches. The specialist unit will be committed to all regions of Switzerland, all historical epochs, all relevant scientific disciplines as well as research, education and museum communication.

Therefore the specialist unit is part of the overall strategy of “Experimental Archaeology Switzerland (EAS)” Gesamtstrategie von "Experimentelle
Archäologie Schweiz (EAS)"
(only in German)

The setup of the Swiss specialist unit will take place over a three-year pilot phase. On December 2, 2017 a cooperation agreement (see below) was signed with the department of Integrative Prehistory and Archaeological Science (IPNA) from the University of Basel.
Hence, the planned specialist unit possesses an institutional tie and direct access to academic research and training.

To fund the development of the specialist unit the EAS is now looking for a sponsor, who will make an essential contribution to the advancement and professionalization of Experimental Archaeology in Switzerland.
After the three-year development phase, the specialist unit must have sufficient revenue and a fixed financial sponsorship to be self-supporting.

Cooperation agreement with IPNA (in German)