Geomaterials and Geoarchaeology
A.Y. 2026/2027
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 can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Part I - Geomaterials (Gatta - 20 hours)
Natural materials and their uses: overview of the characteristics of minerals and rocks, including their properties and formation environments. Distribution of rocks in the circum-Mediterranean region. The use of rocks from antiquity to modern geomaterials. Ornamental stones and minerals of gemmological interest.
Production of ancient ceramic materials: raw materials and manufacturing processes.
Advanced techniques for mineralogical and petrographic investigations, with selected case studies (scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray diffraction).
Technical and practical activities, including laboratory exercises and visits to the University's analytical facilities.
Part II - Geoarchaeology (Zerboni - 20 hours)
Measuring time and methods for dating archaeological contexts, with practical examples.
Geoarchaeological investigation methods.
Archaeological 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, and the Anthropocene.
Natural materials and their uses: overview of the characteristics of minerals and rocks, including their properties and formation environments. Distribution of rocks in the circum-Mediterranean region. The use of rocks from antiquity to modern geomaterials. Ornamental stones and minerals of gemmological interest.
Production of ancient ceramic materials: raw materials and manufacturing processes.
Advanced techniques for mineralogical and petrographic investigations, with selected case studies (scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray diffraction).
Technical and practical activities, including laboratory exercises and visits to the University's analytical facilities.
Part II - Geoarchaeology (Zerboni - 20 hours)
Measuring time and methods for dating archaeological contexts, with practical examples.
Geoarchaeological investigation methods.
Archaeological 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, and the Anthropocene.
Prerequisites for admission
The programme regulations do not establish any prerequisites between the courses offered during the two-year programme and this course.
Attendance is strongly recommended, as the course introduces several fundamental concepts in the geosciences that are not covered elsewhere in the curriculum and guides students in identifying and understanding the most relevant information.
Attendance is strongly recommended, as the course introduces several fundamental concepts in the geosciences that are not covered elsewhere in the curriculum and guides students in identifying and understanding the most relevant information.
Teaching methods
Most of the course consists of traditional lectures delivered in Italian, supported by extensive visual material (graphs, tables, sketches, geological cross-sections, instrumental records, and photographs). Some technical and practical sessions are generally held in the departmental laboratories and focus on the chemical and mineralogical characterisation of minerals and rocks. Should remote teaching be required for public health reasons, this may limit the practical activities. Students' questions and contributions are welcome and encouraged.
Teaching Resources
All lecture slides, including text and illustrations, are available in digital format.
The following texts are recommended for further reading:
John P. Grotzinger and Thomas H. Jordan, Capire la Terra, third Italian edition, based on the seventh American edition, edited by Elvidio Lupia Palmieri and Maurizio Parotto, translated by P. Fredi and R. Parotto. Zanichelli, 2016. ISBN: 9788808821232.
Mariano Mercurio, Alessio Langella, Rosa Maria Di Maggio, and Piergiulio Cappelletti (eds), Analisi mineralogiche in ambito forense. Aracne Editrice, 2019. ISBN: 978-88-255-2235-8.
Mauro Cremaschi, Manuale di Geoarcheologia. Laterza Editore, 2000. ISBN: 9788842060253.
The following texts are recommended for further reading:
John P. Grotzinger and Thomas H. Jordan, Capire la Terra, third Italian edition, based on the seventh American edition, edited by Elvidio Lupia Palmieri and Maurizio Parotto, translated by P. Fredi and R. Parotto. Zanichelli, 2016. ISBN: 9788808821232.
Mariano Mercurio, Alessio Langella, Rosa Maria Di Maggio, and Piergiulio Cappelletti (eds), Analisi mineralogiche in ambito forense. Aracne Editrice, 2019. ISBN: 978-88-255-2235-8.
Mauro Cremaschi, Manuale di Geoarcheologia. Laterza Editore, 2000. ISBN: 9788842060253.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination covering the entire course content. If a particularly large number of students register for an examination session, a written examination consisting of open-ended questions may be held instead. Grades are awarded on a 30-point scale.
The examination is intended to assess not only students' understanding of key concepts and knowledge of essential information, but also, and above all, their ability to synthesise and establish connections among the topics covered in the course.
As an alternative to the standard examination, students may take the examination in the form of a seminar presentation. The topic must be agreed upon in advance with the lecturers and must relate to subjects covered during the course.
The examination is intended to assess not only students' understanding of key concepts and knowledge of essential information, but also, and above all, their ability to synthesise and establish connections among the topics covered in the course.
As an alternative to the standard examination, students may take the examination in the form of a seminar presentation. The topic must be agreed upon in advance with the lecturers and must relate to subjects covered during the course.
GEOS-01/D - Mining Georesources, Mineralogical and Petrographical Applications for the Environment and Cultural Heritage - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Gatta Giacomo Diego, Zerboni Andrea
Educational website(s)
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