Archaeological Materials Science

The unit on Preventive Conservation aims at providing students with an overview of preventive conservation of archaeological sites and monuments. It deals with active and passive environmental control and monitoring of critical parameters in open-air situations, including preventive control in archaeological areas. The unit further deals with the various aspects of preventive conservation of museum environments. Finally, students are acquainted with the principles and applications of optical microscopy in the examination of environmentally affected artefacts. Introduction to the preservation methods. Related bibliography and Ιnternational Organisations. Documentation methods of archaeological materials- conservator approach. Conservation materials. Deterioration factors of organic archaeological materials. Burial environment. Environmental parameters- documentation- control-solutions. Techniques and materials of storage archaeological materials.

There are no specific prerequisites

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

Time schedule - 15 weeks/2 h per week - general concepts: 4 h - deepening in the issues mentioned in the syllabus: 26

Attendance is mandatory

final examination: written assignments with presentation in class

Time schedule - 15 weeks/2 h per week - general concepts: 4 h - deepening in the issues mentioned in the syllabus: 26