An experiment to recreate history. What do scientific designers do?

And then an experiment came to the rescue. It turned out that it takes about 10 hours of grinding to create such a tool.
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Here's another example: for a long time it was believed that before the advent of metal it was impossible to drill a stone axe. It has been experimentally proven that a bow drill, a bone stick (or even a wooden one) with the help of sand and water perfectly drill a stone. And there are many such examples. So, on the Kulikovo field, experiments were carried out on penetrating armor and protective equipment with various types of weapons of the XIV century.

Scientific reconstruction deals with similar things in relation to the museum business. As a rule, this is the production of replicas for the needs of museum expositions and museum classes.
For example, when creating an exhibition, it is necessary to show what a medieval merchant of the Viking era looked like, described in Ibn Fadlan's book «Journey to the Bulgar Country on the Volga». First of all, we conduct a study using written, visual and material sources.
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You need to understand not only the appearance of clothing, but also the details of the cut, the features of the seam, the subtleties of manufacturing and wearing items of equipment and decoration. And then try to recreate the object from materials that are closest to the historical era. As a result, a visual image of a Rus merchant is obtained, which very harmoniously complements the authentic archaeological materials presented in the display cases.

Here's another example. In order to acquaint visitors of the museum with how clothes were washed and ironed in the Middle Ages, the employees create a museum activity called «We wash, we wash, we iron in the 16th century.» But it is, of course, unthinkable to use authentic samples of rubel, trough, fabrics of this era during such a master class. But we can recreate quite decent copies. And with a great deal of accuracy and clarity to conduct such an activity for visitors to the museum. And not just once, but regularly.

In the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan for these and similar types of work, a department of scientific reconstruction was created in 2002, which I head. The department has five employees. We conduct scientific activities — we study materials for creating replicas and make the necessary samples.
— Who is involved in the movement of reenactors?

— A variety of people: from high school students to pensioners, from students to titled scientists and businessmen. This is a very positive and versatile movement, which allows you to realize yourself in a variety of areas of activity: in sports, tourism, craft activities and artistic creativity. Well, in scientific work, of course.
There are many directions in the reenactment movement. At the same time, participants most often have to gain skills not in one, but in several directions at once.
For example, the most ordinary, unremarkable person wanted to go to the Kulikovo Field festival. He begins to study the history of the Battle of Kulikovo, gets an idea of ​​the historical costume. He must be in good physical shape, because he will have to wear armor and take part in at least a reenactment of the battle.

He also gains travel skills. After all, at the festival you will have to live in a tent, cook on a fire, and walk a lot. He sees another region, visits the Museum of the Battle of Kulikovo. And this is if we are talking about the simplest participant in the movement. And often people prepare thoroughly: they learn some craft, train hard, study literature, many sing and write poetry, stories, even novels. If you are the head of even a small club, then you have to carry out organizational work.

So it turns out that, while doing reconstruction, a person develops in all directions, creates. Therefore, there are so many bright, extraordinary personalities in the movement.

– What are reenactor festivals for?
– This is a very multifaceted phenomenon. On the one hand, it is a form of socially useful cultural and mass activity. After all, it so happened that the movement is military-historical, and the vast majority of festivals are associated with memorable events in military history.

And the main event in the program of each festival is a military-historical reconstruction — a reviving picture from the distant past. And then the viewer (and many hundreds or even thousands of people gather for demonstration performances) can see with their own eyes what they read about in books and watched in movies. These are very strong impressions.
On the other hand, this is a great opportunity for participants in reenactment clubs to realize long months of preparation, a time machine that allows you to temporarily live in the conditions of the distant past, feel in the shoes of a distant ancestor, and, of course, chat with like-minded people.
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The festival is like a competition in sports. And the higher the rank of the competition, the more motivation to take part in it.

– How is life in the club outside of festivals?
– Of course, festivals are just a small part of club life. The regularity and variety of classes is the basis of the life of any association. For example, you need to regularly engage in fencing training if you have a club of the Middle Ages. Or drill if you have a Napoleonic Wars club.
It takes a lot of time to make certain things for the festival, both personal and public. After all, in addition to individual costumes and armor, tents, tables, benches, campfire equipment, etc. are also needed.
Many clubs conduct educational activities: performances, lectures, shows, work with young people who are not members of the club. Each club also has its own internal events: holidays, meetings, scientific lectures and trips to exhibitions and museums. The intensity of life, of course, depends on each specific club.

In our military-historical club «Vityaz» (Kazan), classes are held on average three times a week. At the same time, everyone can choose an activity to their liking. And of course, there is an age trend here: young people are more inclined towards physical activities, and the older generation is either engaged in crafts, or excursions, lectures.
However, we also have many common things, because the club works at the museum. We are constantly participating in museum events, such as February 23, Museum Night, May 9, etc.
– Why would a person in the 21st century need to weave cloth or wear armor?
– Why do people go in for sports, go fishing, do embroidery, and do any hobby in general? The reconstruction movement is very positive and multifaceted. Here everyone can realize themselves in a variety of areas: from physical education to scientific activities, from making antiques to poetry.
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And besides, there are many people who has a good financial support from this activity. After all, a fully developed market has now formed: from the sale of things necessary for participation in reenactment events to services for organizing specialized events. And all this is in demand.

For me personally, this is the main job. So I'm generally a reenactor-professional. An example of a happy person whose hobby is a profession.