Catalogo dei Corsi di studio

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

Programme

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 (10 hours)
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.
Definizione e metodi di produzione di malte e intonaci. Alterazione e problemi conservativi. Metodi usuali applicati nella caratterizzazione, datazione e provenienza. Casi di studio ed esempi di progetti innovativi applicati nell’ambito della datazione delle malte.
Durante le ore di laboratorio, sulla base delle conoscenze e competenze acquisite durante le lezioni frontali, e degli approfondimenti proposti dal docente concernenti le ultime scoperte e innovazioni nel campo, verrà elaborato un progetto di ricerca inerente alle tematiche affrontate.
STONE (10 hours)
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 (10 hours)
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 (10 hours)
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.
LABORATORY (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.

Adopted texts

- 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.
- Artioli G. (2010) Scientific Methods and Cultural Heritage - An introduction to the application of materials science to archaeometry and conservation science.

Articles, powerpoint presentations are available on e-learning

Prerequisites

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.

Frequency modes

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.

Exam modes

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.

Exam reservation date start	Exam reservation date end	Exam date
22/11/2020	24/01/2021	27/01/2021
22/11/2020	22/02/2021	25/02/2021
22/11/2020	11/04/2021	15/04/2021
22/11/2020	13/06/2021	17/06/2021
22/11/2020	12/07/2021	15/07/2021
22/11/2020	06/09/2021	09/09/2021
22/11/2020	20/09/2021	23/09/2021
22/11/2020	08/11/2021	11/11/2021