Introducing Archaeo-Tech: Renaming the UCL Institute of Archaeology Experimental Archaeology Course

The name ‘Prim Tech’ was initiated when the course was first set up in 1982 as ‘The Primitive Technology’ course. However, it has long been recognised that using the word ‘primitive’ in this context is unacceptable due to its historic, racist, and pejorative connotations. The course was renamed ‘Experimental Archaeology’ in the 1990s, but we recognise that the ‘Prim Tech’ abbreviation persisted.

Renaming it ‘Primary Technology’ has not proved to be an effective way to distance ourselves from the previous title. As we seek to develop the content and scope of the course further through our new partnership with Butser, we wish to adopt the new name ‘Archaeology and Technology in Society’, which will use the abbreviation Archaeo-Tech as a new short-hand for this much loved and inclusive part of our teaching.

Archaeo-Tech better expresses the full scope of our teaching and partnership with Butser Ancient Farm and our desire to take the skills, expertise and perspective that experimental archaeology brings to address broader contemporary social and environmental issues. Our activities include working with a wide range of materials, engaging in technical processes, active learning through experience, understanding site formation process and the challenges of interpreting material traces, as well as public outreach. 

Experimental archaeology will continue to play a strong role, but the new name more easily encompasses the experience and engagement which are key features of the course. The shortened name Archaeo-Tech embraces both our core subject focus of a material-led approach and makes a direct link to our departmental identity as the UCL Institute of Archaeology.