Teaching code

4S008922

Teacher

Diana Sergeeva Dobreva

Coordinator

Diana Sergeeva Dobreva

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

L-ANT/07 - CLASSICAL ARCHAEOLOGY

Period

1 A, 1 B

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

The course aims to direct the students into the set of problems relevant to the archaeological research in order to obtain theoretical knowledge of the methodological and technical fundamentals of Archaeology of production, to be improved additionally by practical exercises during field work and laboratory practises. KNOWLEDGES: 1. To be familiar with interdisciplinary methods and approaches in Archaeology of production in order to read and understand the material culture data correctly. 2. To be aware of particular archaeological terminology of the field. SKILLS: 1. To understand the principal techniques and strategies in manufacture of archaeological finds. 2. To use correctly particular archaeological terminology. 3. To learn the variety of archaeometrical approaches that are commonly used in the study of material culture.

Prerequisites and basic notions

There are no prerequisites, but it is advisable for the student to have attended the Archaeological Research Methodology course. Attendance at follow-up seminars and excavations organised by the archaeological disciplines is highly recommended.

Program

The course aims to develop the ability to analyse and critically rework information in relation to the methodological approaches used. In particular, topics related to the archaeology of Classical Age production, trade and consumption of the main classes of artefacts from the moment of their creation to that of their final burial and transformation into artefacts will be addressed. After a brief methodological introduction, the course will be divided into four major sections:
- Section 1 will be devoted to clay production with particular reference to the main pottery classes of the Roman period (from fine tableware to kitchenware and lighting devices).
- Section 2 will be devoted to the analyses and scientific methods used in the field of material culture: from archaeometry to statistical analysis.
- Section 3 will be devoted to the production, consumption and trade of foodstuffs: structures, tools and containers.
- In the last section 4, the production cycles of other materials (glass, metal, stone and textiles) will be analysed.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Teaching is organised in face-to-face lectures with the support of power point presentations, in interactive lectures and classroom discussion for in-depth thematic studies, laboratory experiences and exercises. In addition, it will be possible to participate in seminars, conferences and study visits aimed at directly illustrating some of the topics addressed in the classroom. Students will also have the opportunity to participate between November and May in the workshop meetings on the graphic and photographic documentation of archaeological finds in which participants will be involved in activities such as marking, cataloguing, photography, manual and digital drawing of materials from selected excavation contexts.

Learning assessment procedures

The objective of the examination is to test the ability to analyse, synthesise and interpret the data and topics covered during the course. The examination includes an oral interogation.

Evaluation criteria

At the end of the course the student will have to demonstrate that he/she is aware of the issues involved in the archaeology of productions and that he/she has acquired a theoretical basis on the methodological and technical aspects of the discipline, to be refined through field and laboratory work. During the examination, the student is required to demonstrate that he/she is familiar with the topics covered during the course, that he/she is able to present them in formally and that they have acquired the ability to correlate approaches and methodologies of investigation in order to arrive from the archaeological datum to its interpretation. Critical and argumentative skills will also be assessed.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

There are no intermediate tests.

Exam language

Italiano Per gli studenti stranieri e gli studenti Erasmus le prove d'esame possono essere svolte in Inglese.