Artifacts vs. lifestyle knowledge

I've recently been musing on the whole "periodness" idea in the SCA. 
Mostly, we use the term "period" to refer to clothing or gear or food. 
  The pursuit of a strong historical understanding of a particular 
culture, or the day to day life of one person, is far less emphasized.

I wonder how we would interact if this side of it were more important?

I don't mean "persona" though, which is sort of an ongoing personal 
play, but a deeper understanding of the history and the way people 
really did things.  I know that I make sure I have fairly 
accurate-looking clothing on, and then go to events and do things that 
may or may not be something medieval people did.  In this respect, the 
sobriquet of "costume party" is quite applicable to what we do.

I've met a few Scadians who are really into the history and deep 
understanding attempts.  They're very interesting, mostly.  I'm rather 
in awe of them.  Perhaps I should ask them how they think their 
experience of the SCA differs from those of us who aren't as strong on 
history!

--
Cynthia Virtue and/or
Cynthia du Pré Argent

No buckles, no pointy collars!  What did the pilgrims really wear? 
http://t3.preservice.org/T0210276/pilgrimsindex.html