Teaching Workshop: Digital Archaelogy
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The aim of the teaching workshop is to provide the student with a general overview of the main IT tools applied to archaeological research, with particular reference to data management through databases and geographic information systems (GIS). A theoretical and methodological introduction to digital archaeology will be also provided, with specific insights dedicated to relational databases, geomatics, cartography, GIS and photogrammetry, giving the opportunity to better understand and consolidate the theoretical aspects through practical exercises on real case studies.
The exercises will include the data collection, visualisation, management, analysis and presentation with digital tools both in the context of an archaeological excavation and in the context of a landscape archaeology research.
The exercises will include the data collection, visualisation, management, analysis and presentation with digital tools both in the context of an archaeological excavation and in the context of a landscape archaeology research.
Expected learning outcomes
Students of the teaching workshop will acquire the basic knowledge to be able to evaluate the most suitable digital tools in the development of an archaeological research. They will also acquire the basic skills to organise and analyse archaeological data with the help of computer-based tools in their research and the skills to evaluate the correct use of information technology in the projects he will encounter in his training and professional path.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
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 laboratory provides, in addition to a general introduction on Digital Archeology, the discussion of three main topics: the organization and management of archaeological data through databases, Geographic Information Systems, photogrammetry.
The seven scheduled lessons will be divided as follows:
- Introduction to Digital Archaeology - Databases
- Introduction to Geographic Information Systems - Cartography - Data Models
- Practical GIS exercise with raster and vector spatial data: project properties, reference systems, layer management, vector design, georeferencing
- Practical GIS exercise with raster and vector spatial data: data management, searches on alphanumeric and geographic data, print layout setting - bases of geoprocessing
- Practical GIS exercise with raster and vector archaeological excavation data
- Practical GIS exercise with raster and vector archaeological excavation data
- Introduction to photogrammetry for archaeology - The use of drones - Practical exercise of photogrammetry
The seven scheduled lessons will be divided as follows:
- Introduction to Digital Archaeology - Databases
- Introduction to Geographic Information Systems - Cartography - Data Models
- Practical GIS exercise with raster and vector spatial data: project properties, reference systems, layer management, vector design, georeferencing
- Practical GIS exercise with raster and vector spatial data: data management, searches on alphanumeric and geographic data, print layout setting - bases of geoprocessing
- Practical GIS exercise with raster and vector archaeological excavation data
- Practical GIS exercise with raster and vector archaeological excavation data
- Introduction to photogrammetry for archaeology - The use of drones - Practical exercise of photogrammetry
Prerequisites for admission
There are no prerequisites for admission to the course; it would be advisable for the student to have a good familiarity with the use of computers.
The workshop is intended for students of the Master's Degree in Archaeology, but students of the Three-Year Degree in Cultural Heritage can also enroll, up to a total of 20 students.
The workshop is intended for students of the Master's Degree in Archaeology, but students of the Three-Year Degree in Cultural Heritage can also enroll, up to a total of 20 students.
Teaching methods
The workshop includes frontal lessons that introduce practical activity. These lessons will be followed by practical exercises that will take place in a computer lab and exercises to be carried out at home and then verified in the classroom with the teacher. The exercises will concern concrete cases in the archaeological field.
There are 7 lessons, of which the first of 2 hours and the following of 3 hours, in order to grant more time to the practical part and to the exercises.
There are 7 lessons, of which the first of 2 hours and the following of 3 hours, in order to grant more time to the practical part and to the exercises.
Teaching Resources
Forte M., 2002, I Sistemi Informativi Geografici in archeologia, I quaderni di MondoGIS, Roma.
Wheatley D., Gillings M., 2002, Spatial technology and archaeology. The archaeological applications of GIS, London.
Lock G., 2003, Using Computers in Archaeology, Towards Virtual Pasts, Routledge, London.
J. Conolly, M. Lake, 2006, Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology, Cambridge 2006, Cambridge University Press.
Evans T.L., Daly P., 2006, Digital Archaeology. Bridging method and theory, Routledge, London.
Giorgi E. (a c.), 2009, In profondità senza scavare. Metodologie di indagine non invasiva e diagnostica per l'archeologia (Groma 2), Bologna http://books.bradypus.net/groma2
Moscati P., 2021, Digital Archaeology: From Interdisciplinarity to the 'Fusion' of Core Competences. Towards the Consolidation of New Research Areas, in magazén. International Journal for Digital and Public Humanities, 2, 2, 2021, pp. 253-274.
Morgan C.L., 2022, Current Digital Archaeology, in Annual Review of Anthropology, 51, 2022, pp. 213-231.
Archeologia e Calcolatori, http://www.archcalc.cnr.it/
Wheatley D., Gillings M., 2002, Spatial technology and archaeology. The archaeological applications of GIS, London.
Lock G., 2003, Using Computers in Archaeology, Towards Virtual Pasts, Routledge, London.
J. Conolly, M. Lake, 2006, Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology, Cambridge 2006, Cambridge University Press.
Evans T.L., Daly P., 2006, Digital Archaeology. Bridging method and theory, Routledge, London.
Giorgi E. (a c.), 2009, In profondità senza scavare. Metodologie di indagine non invasiva e diagnostica per l'archeologia (Groma 2), Bologna http://books.bradypus.net/groma2
Moscati P., 2021, Digital Archaeology: From Interdisciplinarity to the 'Fusion' of Core Competences. Towards the Consolidation of New Research Areas, in magazén. International Journal for Digital and Public Humanities, 2, 2, 2021, pp. 253-274.
Morgan C.L., 2022, Current Digital Archaeology, in Annual Review of Anthropology, 51, 2022, pp. 213-231.
Archeologia e Calcolatori, http://www.archcalc.cnr.it/
Assessment methods and Criteria
The assessment of learning will be carried out by the teacher by verifying the achievement of the expected objectives. Both the activity carried out in the classroom and the exercises that will be assigned at home will be taken into consideration.
Attendance is mandatory for a total of not less than 80% of scheduled activities (maximum 1/2 absences = 4h).
Attendance is mandatory for a total of not less than 80% of scheduled activities (maximum 1/2 absences = 4h).
Professor(s)