Advanced Mineralogical Analysis Applied to Cultural Heritage, Laboratory
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Students should be able to: (i) understand the principles of analytical techniques; (ii) understand the most appropriate methods for the study of specific topics in cultural heritage studies; (iii) understand critically the results of analytical techniques.
Expected learning outcomes
A detailed knowledge of the most common analytical techniques specific for mineralogical and petrographical analysis.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Overview of the analytical techniques in the Cultural Heritage (X-Ray Powder Diffraction, Imaging and Spectroscopic Techniques): fundamental concepts, instrumentation, applications and analytical problems
Optical mineralogy
Present and future trends in the characterisation of materials belonging to Cultural Heritage: the use of synchrotron radiation and the innovative analytical techniques (micro-diffraction, tomography, diffraction tomography, etc)
Structural materials (clay products, ceramics, cements, mortars, binders), glass and faience, metals, gems
Optical mineralogy
Present and future trends in the characterisation of materials belonging to Cultural Heritage: the use of synchrotron radiation and the innovative analytical techniques (micro-diffraction, tomography, diffraction tomography, etc)
Structural materials (clay products, ceramics, cements, mortars, binders), glass and faience, metals, gems
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of Chemistry and Mineralogy
Teaching methods
Lecturing; assignment of scientific real research studies where the students will be engaged in discussing the research problem; optical mineralogy laboratory; on line and off line tests to verify the acquired competences; n.1 seminar offered by ELETTRA synchrotron; visiting to the Earth Sciences Dept laboratories (XRD, EMPA; etc)
Teaching Resources
Lecture notes on Ariel
Books: Klein, Mineralogia, Zanichelli; Artioli, Scientific Methods and Cultural Heritage: An introduction to the application of materials science to archaeometry and conservation science, Oxford
Books: Klein, Mineralogia, Zanichelli; Artioli, Scientific Methods and Cultural Heritage: An introduction to the application of materials science to archaeometry and conservation science, Oxford
Assessment methods and Criteria
The oral examination will be considered and the examiner will pose questions to the students in spoken form and the students will have to answer the question in such a way as to demonstrate their appropriate knowledge as well as their synthesis, clarity, land language skills will be highly appreciated.
Oral test: n. 1
Evaluation: the oral test score (from 18/30 to 30/30 cum laude)
Oral test: n. 1
Evaluation: the oral test score (from 18/30 to 30/30 cum laude)
GEO/06 - MINERALOGY - University credits: 3
GEO/07 - PETROLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY - University credits: 3
GEO/07 - PETROLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY - University credits: 3
Practicals: 12 hours
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professor:
Merlini Marco
Professor(s)