Archaeological Materials Science

Module 1: GEOMATERIALS

Activity type: Attività formative affini o integrative
SSD: ING-IND/27
Year: N/D
Semester: N/D
CFU: 3
Hours distribution: 20 classroom hours, 10 laboratory hours
Lecturers: MARIA LAURA SANTARELLI

Module 2: SMART MATERIALS

Activity type: Attività formative affini o integrative
SSD: GEO/09
Year: N/D
Semester: N/D
CFU: 3
Hours distribution: 20 classroom hours, 10 laboratory hours
Lecturers: LAURA MEDEGHINI

Objectives

General objectives
The aim of the madule is to introduce the student to the analysis of archaeological materials using the methods typical of condensed-matter physics and material science. The course includes both lectures and lab sessions.

Specific objectives
- Knowledge and understanding: The student will acquire the knowledge of basic concepts in condensed matter physics and how these relate to specific analysis techniques.
- Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The student will acquire the ability to interpret microscopy, imaging, x-ray, and radioactivity data from archeological materials.
- Critical and judgmental capacities: The student will develop critical and judgmental skills by analysing case studies and defining appropriate physical methods for archaeological studies. These skills will be developed through interaction with the lecturer during the course.
- Communication skills: The student will be asked to interact in the analysis of study materials and during the lectures to identify the appropriate physical methods in archaeological studies.
- Learning skills: The student will acquire the theoretical and practical ability to apply physical methods to the identification and dating of archeological materials.

Learning outcomes

OF 1) Knowing the composition of the main geomaterials and smart materials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic,
glass, mortar and plaster).
OF 2) Knowing the production processes and the degradation phenomena of the main
geomaterials and smart materials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, bricks, glass, mortar and plaster).
OF 3) Knowing the analytical methods usually used in the characterization of the main
geomaterials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, bricks, glass, mortar and plaster).
B - Application skills
OF 4) Being able to deduce the problems still present and not solved in the analysis of the main
geomaterials and smart materials applied in the cultural heritage (ceramic, bricks, glass, mortar and plaster).
C – Autonomy of judgment
OF 5) Being able to deduce a possible method useful to analyze the single geomaterials and smart materials applied in
the cultural heritage (ceramic, bricks, glass, mortar and plaster)
D - Communication skills
OF 6) Knowing how to communicate scientific information to people not included in the academic
world
E - Ability to learn
OF 7) Having the ability to consult scientific literature on geomaterials and smart materials applied in the cultural
heritage (ceramic, bricks, glass, mortar and plaster)

Prerequisites

Definition of mineral. Microscopic identification of the main minerals. Fundamental minerals of
igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.

Knowledge of basic chemistry and Cultural Heritage Chemistry

Programme

Module: GEOMATERIALS
Syllabus
- Smart materials for the cleaning of painted surfaces
- Smart materials for the consolidation of stone surfaces
- Smart materials for autocleaning, antifouling and antimicrobic behaviour of the surfaces
- Smart materials as detection sensors
- Smart materials for the restoration of the masonries after a hearthquake
- Smart materials for design in conservation

Module: SMART MATERIALS
Objectives
The aim of the course is to acquire knowledge about the nature, alteration processes and degradation of materials used in the field of cultural heritage: ceramic, bricks, stone, glass, metals, mortar and plaster.

Syllabus
- Definitions and production technology of ceramic material focusing on bricks and building material. Alteration processes and related problems in conservation.
- 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. Definition and different painted surfaces with related alteration problems.
- Definition and technology production of glass. Conservation problems related to the different alteration processes.
- Definition and production of metals and alteration processes
- Definition and production methods of mortars and plasters. Alteration and conservation problems.

Books

Module: GEOMATERIALS
Study material
- G.Torraca, Lectures on Materials Science for Architectural Conservation, The Getty Conservation Institute 2009
- M.Laura Santarelli - Notes from the lectures about Smart Materials and their uses

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

Bibliography

Module: GEOMATERIALS
N/D
Module: SMART MATERIALS
N/D

Lessons mode

GEOMATERIALS
LECTURES
The lectures will be focused on production processes, alteration and degradation processes of
geomaterials (ceramic, bricks, glass, mortar and plaster). Particular attention will be focused on the
methodologies of analysis usually applied for an archaeometric characterization of the material.
LABORATORY
During the laboratory, students will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of various
aspects of archaeometric characterization analyses, reinforcing the knowledge and skills acquired
during the lectures.

SMART MATERIALS
The lectures will be focused on production processes, alteration, degradation processes and application on different substrates of smart materials.

Frequency

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

Exam mode

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.
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.

Example exam questions

How can you identify the tempering process?
How can you define the dimension of a nanoparticle?

Course catalogue