Editorial
This issue goes to press as conditions for international archaeological research continue
to be diﬃcult due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with ongoing restrictions on international
travel. Over the past year we have all had to become expert in online communication. One
advantage is the possibility of holding Editorial Meetings with members of the committee
in diﬀerent continents, even if time diﬀerences mean early mornings and late nights forsome. The original papers in the Special Section presented in this issue were given in May
2019, for an English language session at the last in-person Annual Meeting of the JapaneseArchaeological Association, and preparations are underway to hold the 2021 conference
online as well. One of the themes of the special section is sustainability, and we build
towards the ‘new normal,’ it will be incumbent on all of us to reconsider the sustainabilityof our practices and their impact on our landscapes and planet. Further papers from the2019 session will be published in the next issue.
In many countries (including my own, the UK), where survey and excavation are partof the development process, archaeological ﬁeld staﬀ count as ‘key workers,’ permitted tocontinue going to work while the majority of the population are ‘locked-down’ in attempts
to slow the rate of infection. This makes sense in many ways, including because we knowthat the transmission rate of Covid-19 is very low outdoors. Around the world, museums
and other parts of the heritage economy have fared less well. Despite the invaluable
educational and well-being roles that they fulﬁl, museums are among the last facililities
allowed to open as restrictions are lifted. It remains to be seen what the longer-term impact
on the sector will be.
The original research paper by John Ertl published in this issue focuses on one of
the most distinctive aspects of Japanese archaeology: open air historical parks with‘reconstructed’ buildings based on understanding of ancient construction techniques. As
Ertl deftly demonstrates, there are more such buildings in Japan than any other country.
For some, this enthusiasm for building such structures raises issues of authenticity, a termthat has received very considerable attention not least from the UNESCO World Heritage
Committee. For others it is evidence of the importance of tangible, experiential pointers to
the past for the production and reproduction of local identities. This issue goes to press justas 12th iteration of the largest conference on experimental archaeology takes place https://exarc.net/meetings/eac12 —with over 120 experiments being presented (online) fromall around the world. In the UK, the Ancient Technology Centre usually oﬀers excellent
interactive and immersive educational experiences https://ancienttechnologycentre.com.
There is a widespread hunger to experience everyday life in the past, and the chance towonder at technological ingenuity in action.
We hope you enjoy this issue and ﬁnd the reports from the Japanese ArchaeologicalJAPANESE JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY 8 (2021): 131–132

Simon KANERAssociation of interest, and look forward to being able to resume the full range of in-person
activities as soon as circumstances permit. In the meantime, stay safe and well.
Professor Simon KANER
Co-Editor, Japanese Journal of Archaeology© Japanese Archaeological Association132