Archaeological Research Methods: Field and Laboratory Research
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
To introduce the activities of archaeological research, with a particular focus on the modern methods of investigation related to stratigraphical excavation, archaeological survey and the study of ancient production. Attention is also given to underwater archeology and to the cargoes of the wrecks of the Mediterranean, the study of which allows us to reconstruct the history of ancient trade.
A practical activity on the topics of the course, if possible, will also be carried out directly in the field (at the archaeological site of Castelseprio, VA in collaboration with Prof. G. P. Brogiolo - UNIPD).
A practical activity on the topics of the course, if possible, will also be carried out directly in the field (at the archaeological site of Castelseprio, VA in collaboration with Prof. G. P. Brogiolo - UNIPD).
Expected learning outcomes
The course is designed to provide students with the necessary tools for the study of archaeological contexts and archaeological finds on land and underwater, and for the processing and interpretation of data using archaeological and archaeometric methods.
Lesson period: Second semester
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course will provide an introduction to a wide range of basic themes of archaeological field research including excavation, survey, finds, giving space to the scientific methods (archaeometry) and their application in the archaeological field (dating methods, prospection, determination of origin, technology).
The lectures include the presentation of ongoing archaeometric projects and databases realized within the Immensa Aequora project (www.immensaaequora.org).
The second part of the module aims to offer an overview of the main periods of the Ancient History, through an examination of the evolution of cultural dynamics and archaeological evidence of different societies over the centuries, and practical exercises focused on the study of stratigraphy and of archaeological finds, in particular ceramics, which students will be able to classify.
The lectures include the presentation of ongoing archaeometric projects and databases realized within the Immensa Aequora project (www.immensaaequora.org).
The second part of the module aims to offer an overview of the main periods of the Ancient History, through an examination of the evolution of cultural dynamics and archaeological evidence of different societies over the centuries, and practical exercises focused on the study of stratigraphy and of archaeological finds, in particular ceramics, which students will be able to classify.
Teaching methods
Lectures with the aid of PowerPoint presentations. There will be practical lessons on ancient finds (description and classification of objects/finds).
Teaching Resources
ATTENDING STUDENTS
1) C. Renfrew, P. Bahn, Archeologia: Teorie, Metodi, Pratica, Zanichelli Editori, Bologna 2006 (in particolare, i capitoli: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 e 9).
2) Dizionario di Archeologia, (a cura di R. Francovich e D. Manacorda), Editori Laterza, Roma-Bari 2000
in particular, the items: Archeometria; Campionatura; Commercio (Archeologia del); Contesto; Cronologia; Cultura Materiale; Datazione; Determinazione d'origine; Diagnostica archeologica; Etnoarcheologia; Geoarcheologia; New Archaeology; Produzione (Archeologia della); Post-processuale (Archeologia); Ricognizione archeologica; Scavo archeologico; Scavo, pratica e documentazione; Seriazione; Sperimentale (archeologia); Subacquea (archeologia); Tecnologie produttive; Urbana (archeologia).
3) One to choose from:
- A. Guidi, I metodi della ricerca archeologica, Roma 2005 (in particular, chapters 3 and 4)
or
- E. C. Harris, Principi di stratigrafia archeologica, Roma 1995 (parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 - to be confirmed - and the Appendices of the volume).
4) R. Petriaggi, B. Davidde, Archeologia sott'acqua. Teoria e pratica, Roma 2007 (chapters 1, 2, 6 e 7).
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
For those who have missed more than 3 lessons or have not attended at all, the program will be integrated with:
- Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana (a cura di), Il mondo dell'archeologia: Storia, metodi, protagonisti, Roma 2002
in particular, chapters: L'indagine sul campo (pp. 149-222); Le datazioni (pp. 266-292); Metodi matematici e statistici (pp. 310-326).
+
a volume of your choice between:
- G. P. Brogiolo, Archeologia dell'edilizia storica, Como 1988.
- T. Mannoni, E. Giannichedda, Archeologia della produzione, Torino 1996.
- E. Giannichedda, Archeologia teorica, Roma 2002.
- M. Vidale, Che cos'è l'etnoarcheologia, Roma 2004.
- M. Jones, Cacciatori di molecole. L'archeologia alla ricerca del DNA antico, Roma 2005.
- P. E. McGovern, L'archeologo e l'uva, Roma 2005.
- S. Settis, Paesaggio, Costituzione, Cemento, Milano 2010.
- F. Cambi, Manuale di archeologia dei paesaggi, Roma 2011.
- E. Farinetti, I paesaggi in archeologia: analisi e interpretazione, Roma 2012.
INTEGRATIONS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT ATTENDED OR LOST MORE LESSONS FROM THE PRACTICAL SEMINARS WILL BE COMMUNICATED DURING THE COURSE
1) C. Renfrew, P. Bahn, Archeologia: Teorie, Metodi, Pratica, Zanichelli Editori, Bologna 2006 (in particolare, i capitoli: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 e 9).
2) Dizionario di Archeologia, (a cura di R. Francovich e D. Manacorda), Editori Laterza, Roma-Bari 2000
in particular, the items: Archeometria; Campionatura; Commercio (Archeologia del); Contesto; Cronologia; Cultura Materiale; Datazione; Determinazione d'origine; Diagnostica archeologica; Etnoarcheologia; Geoarcheologia; New Archaeology; Produzione (Archeologia della); Post-processuale (Archeologia); Ricognizione archeologica; Scavo archeologico; Scavo, pratica e documentazione; Seriazione; Sperimentale (archeologia); Subacquea (archeologia); Tecnologie produttive; Urbana (archeologia).
3) One to choose from:
- A. Guidi, I metodi della ricerca archeologica, Roma 2005 (in particular, chapters 3 and 4)
or
- E. C. Harris, Principi di stratigrafia archeologica, Roma 1995 (parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 - to be confirmed - and the Appendices of the volume).
4) R. Petriaggi, B. Davidde, Archeologia sott'acqua. Teoria e pratica, Roma 2007 (chapters 1, 2, 6 e 7).
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
For those who have missed more than 3 lessons or have not attended at all, the program will be integrated with:
- Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana (a cura di), Il mondo dell'archeologia: Storia, metodi, protagonisti, Roma 2002
in particular, chapters: L'indagine sul campo (pp. 149-222); Le datazioni (pp. 266-292); Metodi matematici e statistici (pp. 310-326).
+
a volume of your choice between:
- G. P. Brogiolo, Archeologia dell'edilizia storica, Como 1988.
- T. Mannoni, E. Giannichedda, Archeologia della produzione, Torino 1996.
- E. Giannichedda, Archeologia teorica, Roma 2002.
- M. Vidale, Che cos'è l'etnoarcheologia, Roma 2004.
- M. Jones, Cacciatori di molecole. L'archeologia alla ricerca del DNA antico, Roma 2005.
- P. E. McGovern, L'archeologo e l'uva, Roma 2005.
- S. Settis, Paesaggio, Costituzione, Cemento, Milano 2010.
- F. Cambi, Manuale di archeologia dei paesaggi, Roma 2011.
- E. Farinetti, I paesaggi in archeologia: analisi e interpretazione, Roma 2012.
INTEGRATIONS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT ATTENDED OR LOST MORE LESSONS FROM THE PRACTICAL SEMINARS WILL BE COMMUNICATED DURING THE COURSE
Assessment methods and Criteria
Intermediate Execises, final written test.
L-ANT/10 - METHODS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Olcese Gloria Angela, Surace Domenico Michele
Professor(s)