Touching the Past: Experimental Archaeology and Experiential Learning in Public Outreach

Namrata Biswas

Public engagement with prehistory often relies on static displays, creating distance between and early human lifeways. This paper presents an outreach model that integrates experimental archaeology and tactile pedagogy into hands-on workshops for children. The program combines live stone tool knapping demonstrations with supervised participation, followed by the use of replicated tools to create rock art using natural pigments. Through this structured process, participants directly engage with prehistoric technologies and creative practices. The workshop framework follows the chaîne opératoire – from raw material selection and flake production to tool use and symbolic expression. By physically replicating these stages, children gain insight into prehistoric cognition, skill transmission, and material constraints. Learning shifts from passive observation to embodied experience, encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry. Based on workshops conducted in India, this paper discusses methodological design, safety protocols, audience engagement strategies, and observed learning outcomes. Findings suggest that hands-on replication significantly enhances understanding of prehistoric technology compared to lecture-based approaches. The integration of tool production and artistic expression bridges scientific communication and creativity, extending archaeology beyond museum settings. This study argues that experimental archaeology, grounded in tactile pedagogy, offers a dynamic model for science communication.