Archaeological Materials Science

Educational objectives

This course aims to provide students coming from a Humanities academic background (archaeology, Conservation, Art History) with the basic principles in Chemistry (including Biochemistry), Geology (Petrography and Mineralogy), Physics (Properties of the Matter, Electromagnetic Radiation) needed for them to understand the scientific methodologies and techniques used in archaeometry research field.

Educational objectives

This course is intended to provide students coming from a Science academic background with theoretical and practical basic knowledge and skills to:
- Grasp and understand the past through its material culture;
- Develop ability to perceive the physical space;
- Ability to identify the main material and cultural features of different archaeological periods.
- Understand basic archaeological excavation principles and techniques in theory and in the field.

Educational objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the methods for assessing earthquake destruction in archaeological sites;
- Understand the effects of uncontrolled environmental conditions on artistic and historic artefacts;
- Understand the sources and causes of biodeterioration and their relationship to the intrinsic properties of the materials involved;
- Understand the need for constant environmental monitoring of archaeological sites and monuments

Educational objectives

This course is intended to provide students with basic theoretical and practical knowledge on a set of innovative, state of the art IT, Bio-chemical, Chemical, Geo-Physical and Image Processing techniques currently being applied in Archaeology and the study of Archaeological and Cultural Heritage materials. Students will be able to develop critical thinking in assessing the potential and limitations inherent to the technologies studied in order to be able to correctly apply them to real case studies.

Educational objectives

By the end of the course students will be able to:
•Explain the physical principles, survey geometries and data characteristics of the main geophysical methods used in archaeology (magnetic, electrical, electromagnetic, GPR, seismic).
• Select appropriate techniques and survey strategies for specific archaeological questions and site conditions.
•Design a basic geophysical survey, including acquisition parameters, logistics, and health-and-safety considerations.
•Carry out basic data processing and visualisation using suitable software tools.
•Interpret geophysical results in combination with archaeological, stratigraphic and geomorphological information, and communicate conclusions in written and oral form.

Educational objectives

The course introduces to general knowledge and updated data regarding the human bio-variability, with reference to populations of the past and species of the deep time. Skills in critical analysis and presentation will be developed in presenting one or more case-studies.

Educational objectives

At the end of the course the student will have acquired a knowledge on the use of Geographic Information Systems in in archaeological sciences and an understanding of a range of ideas about quantitative approaches to archaeology from how to make better graphs to how we can phrase archaeological questions in a range of quantitative ways.

Educational objectives

Objectives
Archaeology is an immensely data-rich activity that records the characteristics of sites, landscapes and artefacts, sometimes in great detail. Making sense of that data often relies on quantitative or statistical methods to identify patterns, associations and relationships. This module aims to provide students (who do not necessarily have a recent background in maths or statistics) with some statistical concepts and methods, and the knowledge to apply them using readily available software (spreadsheets). It aims to deliver an understanding of a range of ideas about quantitative approaches to archaeology from how to make better graphs to how we can phrase archaeological questions in a range of quantitative ways.

Educational objectives

The module aims to provide students with knowledge on the use of Geographic Information Systems in archaeological sciences. The knowledge will be acquired of methods for collecting, storing, visualizing and analysing georeferenced thematic data for archaeological studies.

Educational 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.

Educational objectives

The aim of the module 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.

Educational objectives

The aim of the course is to improve the knowledge about the innovative materials (nanomaterials and smart materials) for the conservation of monuments and archeological sites.