Mediterranean Archaeology

LAURA MEDEGHINI
LAURA MEDEGHINI

The aim of the course is increasing the knowledge acquired after the Bechelor Degree concerning the nature, alteration processes and degradation of materials used in the field of cultural heritage (stone, ceramics, glass, plasters), as well as studying the investigation methods usually applied, focusing on recent and innovative applications. This information will allow students to independently develop a research project (which will be set during the laboratory hours and evaluated at the end of the course) to present it and promote it.

A - Knowledge and understanding
OF 1) Knowing the composition of the main geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone).
OF 2) Knowing the production processes and the degradation phenomena of the main geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone).
OF 3) Knowing the analytical methods usually used in the characterization of the main geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone).
OF 4) Knowing some advanced analytical methods used recently in the characterization of the main geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone).
OF 5) Understanding the problems connected to the mortar dating and the recent projects focused on this topic
OF 6) Understanding the problems connected to the white marble provenance and the recent projects focused on this topic

B - Application skills
OF 7) Being able to deduce the innovative aspects proposed in the scientific articles in the analysis of the main geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone).
OF 8) Being able to deduce the problems still present and not solved in the analysis of the main geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone).

C – Autonomy of judgment
OF 9) Being able to deduce a possible method useful to solve the problems still present in the analysis of the main geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone)
OF 10) Being able to create a scientific project focused on the analysis of one of the main geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone).

D - Communication skills
OF 11) Knowing how to write a scientific project
OF 12) Knowing how to communicate the project to people not included in the academic world

E - Ability to learn
OF 13) Having the ability to consult scientific literature on geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone)
OF 14) Having the ability to consult database on national and international scientific projects

A - Knowledge and understanding
OF 1) Knowing the composition of the main geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage
(ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone).
OF 2) Knowing the production processes and the degradation phenomena of the main
geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone).
OF 3) Knowing the analytical methods usually used in the characterization of the main
geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone).
OF 4) Knowing some advanced analytical methods used recently in the characterization of the
main geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone).
OF 5) Understanding the problems connected to the mortar dating and the recent projects focused
on this topic
OF 6) Understanding the problems connected to the white marble provenance and the recent
projects focused on this topic
B - Application skills
OF 7) Being able to deduce the innovative aspects proposed in the scientific articles in the
analysis of the main geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and
plaster, stone).
OF 8) Being able to deduce the problems still present and not solved in the analysis of the main
geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone).
C – Autonomy of judgment
OF 9) Being able to deduce a possible method useful to solve the problems still present in the
analysis of the main geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and
plaster, stone)
OF 10) Being able to create a scientific project focused on the analysis of one of the main
geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone).
D - Communication skills
OF 11) Knowing how to write a scientific project
OF 12) Knowing how to communicate the project to people not included in the academic world

E - Ability to learn
OF 13) Having the ability to consult scientific literature on geomaterials applied in the cultural
heritage (ceramic, glass, mortar and plaster, stone)
OF 14) Having the ability to consult database on national and international scientific projects

Definition of mineral. Microscopic identification of the main minerals. Fundamental minerals of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Macroscopic and microscopic identification of the main igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, with particular attention to those used in the field of cultural heritage.

The lectures will be focused on production processes, alteration and degradation processes of stone materials, ceramics, glass and plasters. Particular attention will be focused on the methodologies of analysis usually applied for an archaeometric characterization of the
material, and also on the innovative methodologies recently applied in the field. The topics addressed are summarized below:
Ceramics
Definitions and production technology of ceramic material. Alteration processes and related problems in conservation. Methods for characterization and provenance studies. Case studies. Technological innovations applied in the study of ceramic material.
Stone material
Definition and origin of stone material used in the field of cultural heritage. Main techniques of extraction and surface treatments. Alteration processes and related conservative problems. Problems connected to provenance studies of white marbles. Case studies and recent innovative applications.
Glass
Definition and technology production of glass. Conservation problems related to the different alteration processes. Analytical methods applied in the characterization. Case studies and technological innovations recently applied.
Mortars and plasters
Definition and production methods of mortars and plasters. Alteration and conservation problems. Analytical methods usually applied in the characterization, dating and provenance of plasters and mortars. Case studies and examples of innovative projects applied in the field
of mortar dating.
During the laboratory, based on the knowledges and skills acquired during the lectures, and thanks to the in-depth studies proposed by the professor concerning the latest discoveries and innovations in the field, a research project will be elaborated on the topics discussed.

Teaching materials, including handouts, thematic websites and scientific articles will be distributed in class and posted on a dedicated Moodle page.

- Reedy, C. L. (2008). Thin-section petrography of stone and ceramic cultural materials. Archetype.
- Maggetti M and Messiga B. (2006) Geomaterials In Cultural Heritage (Geological Society Special Publication) (No. 257).
- Winkler E.M. (1994) – Stone in Architecture. Properties, durability. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. 313 pp.

The lectures will be focused on production processes, alteration and degradation processes of stone materials, ceramics, glass and plasters. Particular attention will be focused on the methodologies of analysis usually applied for an archaeometric characterization of the material, and also on the innovative methodologies recently applied in the field.
SECOND PART-LABORATORY, research project (12 hours)
During the laboratory, based on the knowledges and skills acquired during the lectures, and thanks to the in-depth studies proposed by the teacher concerning the latest discoveries and innovations in the field, a research project will be elaborated on the topics discussed.

The attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended to understand the issues of the lectures and to carry out the project during laboratory hours.

To pass the exam the student must obtain a grade of not less than 18/30. The student must
demonstrate that he/she has acquired a sufficient knowledge of the properties of geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage, their production processes, their alteration processes and the analytical methods usually used to study these materials as well as innovative methods.
To achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, the student must instead demonstrate that he/she has acquired excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, being able to link them in a logical and coherent way.

How can you identify the tempering process?