Geomaterials and Geoarchaeology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide Ms students with cultural and technical basis to carry out research and professional activities in archaeological excavation projects, territorial reconnaissance, reconstruction of the formation processes of archaeological sites and for diagnostic and conservation activities of the archaeological cultural heritage based on mineralogical-petrographic analytical techniques.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to identify the best protocols to approach the study of archaeological sites and landscapes, to describe a stratigraphic sequence, to sample it correctly for laboratory analysis. They are also expected to acquire the ability to characterize natural or synthetic archaeological materials.
In particular, the following skills will be acquired:
- describe and understand sedimentary sequences and soil profiles of archaeological sites, exposed in excavations, assays and core sampling;
- analyze archaeological landscapes using appropriate cartography and remote sensing;
- select which laboratory analyses can be applied to archaeological sediments and soils;
- provide a description of the natural materials (minerals, rocks) and their synthetic counterparts (ceramics, ligands), along with pigments
- have a familiarity with the most common mineralogical-petrographic material characterization techniques
In particular, the following skills will be acquired:
- describe and understand sedimentary sequences and soil profiles of archaeological sites, exposed in excavations, assays and core sampling;
- analyze archaeological landscapes using appropriate cartography and remote sensing;
- select which laboratory analyses can be applied to archaeological sediments and soils;
- provide a description of the natural materials (minerals, rocks) and their synthetic counterparts (ceramics, ligands), along with pigments
- have a familiarity with the most common mineralogical-petrographic material characterization techniques
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
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
First semester
If necessary, this course will be delivered online using a synchronous format via the TEAMS platform, on the basis of the calendar lesson plan for the academic year 25/26.
Course syllabus
First part: Geomaterials (Gatta - 20 h)
- Natural materials and their utilization: Minerals and rocks (definition, properties, and genetic conditions). Rocks distribution in Mediterranean region. Rocks utilization in ancient and modern geomaterials. Ornamental stones and gemstones.
- Ancient ceramic materials: natural raw materials and production processes.
- Minerals and rocks characterization protocols (scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction methods).
- Practicals.
Second part - Geoarcheology (Zerboni - 20 h)
- Time measurement and dating methods for archaeological contexts, including applications.
- Geoarchaeological investigation methods.
- Archaeological stratigraphy and geological stratigraphy.
- Description and sampling of archaeological soils and sediments.
- Introduction to analytical methods for archaeological soils and sediments.
- Case studies, the concept of land use, the Anthropocene.
- Natural materials and their utilization: Minerals and rocks (definition, properties, and genetic conditions). Rocks distribution in Mediterranean region. Rocks utilization in ancient and modern geomaterials. Ornamental stones and gemstones.
- Ancient ceramic materials: natural raw materials and production processes.
- Minerals and rocks characterization protocols (scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction methods).
- Practicals.
Second part - Geoarcheology (Zerboni - 20 h)
- Time measurement and dating methods for archaeological contexts, including applications.
- Geoarchaeological investigation methods.
- Archaeological stratigraphy and geological stratigraphy.
- Description and sampling of archaeological soils and sediments.
- Introduction to analytical methods for archaeological soils and sediments.
- Case studies, the concept of land use, the Anthropocene.
Prerequisites for admission
The Coursework Rule ("Manifesto degli Studi") does not establishes any set of teachings to be attended in preparation for this course.
Teaching methods
The main part of the course is delivered as traditional lessons in Italian and is backed by plentiful supporting materials such as graphs, tables, sketches, photographs, geological sections, and instrumental logs.
The course also features hands-on sessions at department labs dedicated to mineralogical and chemical characterization of rocks and minerals, practicals, and seminars (subject to availability).
Students' questions and interaction are welcome and encouraged.
The course also features hands-on sessions at department labs dedicated to mineralogical and chemical characterization of rocks and minerals, practicals, and seminars (subject to availability).
Students' questions and interaction are welcome and encouraged.
Teaching Resources
All text and picture slides presented at classes are available in digital format (.pdf).
The following textbooks are recommended for reference and further reading:
- John P. Grotzinger & Thomas H. Jordan, "Capire la Terra" - Terza edizione italiana condotta sulla settima edizione americana. A cura di Elvidio Lupia Palmieri, Maurizio Parotto. Trad. di P. Fredi, R. Parotto. ZANICHELLI, ISBN: 9788808821232, 2016
- AA.VV., "Analisi mineralogiche in ambito forense" - A cura di Mariano Mercurio, Alessio Langella, Rosa Maria Di Maggio, Piergiulio Cappelletti. ARACNE Editrice, ISBN: 978-88-255-2235-8, 2019
- Mauro Cremaschi, "Manuale di Geoarcheologia" - Laterza Editore, 2000 ISBN: 9788842060253
The following textbooks are recommended for reference and further reading:
- John P. Grotzinger & Thomas H. Jordan, "Capire la Terra" - Terza edizione italiana condotta sulla settima edizione americana. A cura di Elvidio Lupia Palmieri, Maurizio Parotto. Trad. di P. Fredi, R. Parotto. ZANICHELLI, ISBN: 9788808821232, 2016
- AA.VV., "Analisi mineralogiche in ambito forense" - A cura di Mariano Mercurio, Alessio Langella, Rosa Maria Di Maggio, Piergiulio Cappelletti. ARACNE Editrice, ISBN: 978-88-255-2235-8, 2019
- Mauro Cremaschi, "Manuale di Geoarcheologia" - Laterza Editore, 2000 ISBN: 9788842060253
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessments cover the entire program and are usually carried out by means of an oral exam. Assessment sessions with a high number of candidates shall be dealt with by means of a written test, based a set of open questions similar to those discussed during classes.
Scores are in thirties.
Exams aim at assessing not only the candidate's learning and retention of concepts and essential notions but also, and more importantly, his/her ability to summarize and correlate complex subjects, in the broader frame of the above-mentioned propaedeutic disciplines
Scores are in thirties.
Exams aim at assessing not only the candidate's learning and retention of concepts and essential notions but also, and more importantly, his/her ability to summarize and correlate complex subjects, in the broader frame of the above-mentioned propaedeutic disciplines
GEO/09 - MINING RESOURCES, MINERALOGIC AND PETROGRAPHIC APPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Gatta Giacomo Diego, Zerboni Andrea
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tue, Wed and Thu: 2.30-6.30 p.m. (please, contact me via email too)
Via Botticelli 23 (first floor). Postal address: Via Botticelli 23, I-20133 Milan (Italy)
Reception:
Mon-Fri, 9-11.
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra "Ardito Desio", Via L. Mangiagalli 34, 20133 Milano