ABSTRACT
In the UK and North America, a whole new discipline has been established: material culture studies. The experience of immersion depends in three ways on material culture, which includes costumes, equipment, historical sites, and built environments. “Material culture” is one of the most contentious among them. In anthropological discussions about material culture, the French philosopher and sociologist Bruno Latour and his actor network theory play an important role. The close relationship between material culture and reenactment can be seen on three levels. First, there is the meaning of things for actors while performing reenactments: things do not lie “silently” in a museum showcase; instead, they are actively used and create an experience for actors. Second, there is the meaning of things within the reenactment community: the main focus is on the making of objects. And third, there is the meaning of things as presented to an audience, which involves a degree of mediation.
