reCLAYm – Re-connecting citizen scientists with material culture research in archaeology

The reCLAYm project seeks to re-integrate citizen scientists (CS) into the analysis of archaeological material culture – a field where they played a foundational role in archaeology’s early development. As the discipline professionalized, CS involvement in post-excavation analysis declined. reCLAYm aims to counter this trend in order to strengthen not only archaeological research but also the dialogue between science and society. Focusing on the Early Neolithic Linear Pottery Culture (LBK) in Lower Austria, the project combines typology, experimental archaeology, and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) to investigate prehistoric pottery production, raw material sourcing, cultural development, and social interaction. The project centers on the extensive pottery assemblage from Asparn/Schletz and nearby sites. Its volume makes comprehensive analysis – vital for reconstructing chronological development, technical traditions and social dynamics of the famous site of Schletz – a major challenge. We believe that strong, partly co-directed CS involvement, with a standardized methodological approach, can help mitigate this challenge. This includes collaborative finds analysis; reconstruction of LBK production techniques using experimental archaeology; and pXRF-analysis on ceramics and local clays to identify raw material sources and possible imports. By involving CS in all research stages – from proposal design to interpretation – reCLAYm explores their potential as co-researchers in complex analytical workflows, including education, training, co-led presentation, and public dissemination. The project also addresses methodological challenges like user bias, data standards, and legal boundaries of CS-integration, aiming to develop scalable, inclusive models for participatory research.