Archaeological Materials Science

The course will cover a wide range of topics within Roman archaeology, such as urbanism, architecture (public and private buildings, temples, tombs etc.), sculpture, painting, mosaics, numismatics and material culture, in order to offer a thorough idea of the main aspects of Roman life and society. Following a short introduction focused on the historical background, offering a diachronic outline of the evolution of Roman culture from its origins into Republican Rome and then into the Empire, it will then examine various selected sources of archaeological evidence. Specific focus will be given to Rome, analysing its main buildings and monuments, including temples, baths, fora, and the related decoration and sculpture. This information will be compared with that of cities and monuments in Italy and in the whole Roman Empire, extending to the Mediterranean and to some European countries. It will be possible then to examine how Roman art and culture spread in a so wide geographical area and which were the peculiar features characterising the provinces if compared with the capital city. A large emphasis throughout the course will be given also on methodologies of archaeological research and on how modern techniques applied to archaeological evidence can help in reconstructing specific aspects of ancient lifestyle and environment. Structure of the course This course will be taught primarily in a lecture format with projection of slides and videos, providing an overview of the archaeology and art of ancient Rome. Through seminar presentations and guided excursions to a number of monuments and Museums in Rome, essential skills will be trained and the students will be able to give an interpretation of the evidence in the broadest possible context. - Introduction and historical background, evolution of Roman culture (4 h lecture) - buildings and monuments, including temples, baths, fora, and the related decoration and sculpture (20 h lecture; 20 h laboratory) - Cities and monuments in Italy and in the whole Roman Empire, extending to the Mediterranean and to some European countries (6 h lecture, 4 h laboratory) - modern techniques applied to Roman archaeology (6 h laboratory)

The course is introductory and basic, so it does not imply any previous competence or requisite.

Selected chapters from: A. Claridge, Rome. An Oxford Archaeological Guide, Oxford 2010; R.B. Ulrich, C.K. Quenemoen, A Companion to Roman Architecture, Chichester 2014.

The course foresees frontal lessons and didactic excursions

The exams will be in both written and oral form. The written part will consist in recognising and describing, through images, some of the features of Roman art and architecture examined during the lessons and the excursions. The oral part will focus mainly on the evaluation of the acquired capacities of the student in understanding Roman archaeology in its historical and political context.

Frontal lessons and didactical excursions