Geoarchaeology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to train students in the field of Geoarchaeology, providing them with the cultural and technical basis for carrying out research and professional activities in projects of archaeological excavations, surveys, reconstruction of the formation processes of the archaeological record, rescue archeology, and diagnostic and conservation for archaeological heritage.
Expected learning outcomes
Students are expected to learn to select the relevant methods to carry out archaeological excavation and survey; students will be also able to describe a stratigraphic sequence and to properly collect samples for laboratory analyses and dating. In details, students will be able to :
- describe and understand soil and sediments in archaeological context, observed in archaeological excavation, test trenches and drilling cores;
- describe and understand archaeological landscape on the base of mapping and remote sensing;
- perform in laboratory basic sedimentological and pedological analyses applied to archaeological context;
- set up and produce reports on the formation processes of archaeological sites and landscapes.
- describe and understand soil and sediments in archaeological context, observed in archaeological excavation, test trenches and drilling cores;
- describe and understand archaeological landscape on the base of mapping and remote sensing;
- perform in laboratory basic sedimentological and pedological analyses applied to archaeological context;
- set up and produce reports on the formation processes of archaeological sites and landscapes.
Lesson period: First 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
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
History of the discipline.
The techniques of archaeological research in the field: stratigraphic excavation, territorial reconnaissance.
Dating the evidence: chronotypological series in lithics and ceramics, incremental and radiometric dating methods (varves, lichens, radiocarbon, TL, OSL, U/Th).
The tools of geoarchaeological research, soils, continental deposits, landscape forms aimed at geoarchaeological research. Geognostic tools applied to geoarchaeological research, cartography, aerial photography, remote sensing, surveys, core sampling.
The processes of site formation: laboratory diagnostics, textural analysis, routine chemistry, thin sections of soil (micromorphology) for archaeological contexts.
The role of Geoarchaeology in Archaeological Research, illustrated with a variety of examples:
Earth Sciences for the validation of archaeological data, Traces of anthropic activity in geological archives: syndepositional and postdepositional processes.
Geoarchaeology as a tool for the history of human impact on the environment.
Privileged archives: Geoarchaeology of late Pleistocene cave deposits at mid-latitudes and Holocene deposits in arid regions.
Evanescent archives: Geoarchaeology of open-air contexts at mid-latitudes and arid regions.
Geoarchaeology of land use and sustainability of archaeological communities.
Geoarchaeology of deforestation and agricultural practices.
Geoarchaeological aspects of intensive land use (agriculture and irrigation in Mesopotamia and in the Po Valley Bronze Age). Geoarchaeology of pastoralism (the case of Holocene deposits of rock shelters).
Geoarchaeology in arid areas.
Consequences of human impact on landscape modeling, relationship between climate and human work in historical and archaeological perspective.
The techniques of archaeological research in the field: stratigraphic excavation, territorial reconnaissance.
Dating the evidence: chronotypological series in lithics and ceramics, incremental and radiometric dating methods (varves, lichens, radiocarbon, TL, OSL, U/Th).
The tools of geoarchaeological research, soils, continental deposits, landscape forms aimed at geoarchaeological research. Geognostic tools applied to geoarchaeological research, cartography, aerial photography, remote sensing, surveys, core sampling.
The processes of site formation: laboratory diagnostics, textural analysis, routine chemistry, thin sections of soil (micromorphology) for archaeological contexts.
The role of Geoarchaeology in Archaeological Research, illustrated with a variety of examples:
Earth Sciences for the validation of archaeological data, Traces of anthropic activity in geological archives: syndepositional and postdepositional processes.
Geoarchaeology as a tool for the history of human impact on the environment.
Privileged archives: Geoarchaeology of late Pleistocene cave deposits at mid-latitudes and Holocene deposits in arid regions.
Evanescent archives: Geoarchaeology of open-air contexts at mid-latitudes and arid regions.
Geoarchaeology of land use and sustainability of archaeological communities.
Geoarchaeology of deforestation and agricultural practices.
Geoarchaeological aspects of intensive land use (agriculture and irrigation in Mesopotamia and in the Po Valley Bronze Age). Geoarchaeology of pastoralism (the case of Holocene deposits of rock shelters).
Geoarchaeology in arid areas.
Consequences of human impact on landscape modeling, relationship between climate and human work in historical and archaeological perspective.
Prerequisites for admission
Basics in Earth Sciences and Archaeology
Teaching methods
Lessons and seminars; suggested readings
Teaching Resources
Slides and books on specific topics
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam with a grade expressed out of thirty. The actual understanding of the contents provided and the processes described will be assessed. The ability to summarize and use appropriate terminology will also be taken into consideration. Possibility of carrying out a seminar supplementing the final exam on a topic agreed with the teacher.
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Zerboni Andrea
Professor(s)
Reception:
Mon-Fri, 9-11.
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra "Ardito Desio", Via L. Mangiagalli 34, 20133 Milano