Archaeometallurgy
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the themes of metallurgy and metal science, not otherwise covered in the CdS.
The aim of the course is to give students the fundamentals of extractive metallurgy, thermal treatments and metal manufacturing processes of metallic alloys of interest in the field of cultural heritage.
The educational objective of the course is to provide students with the skills necessary to evaluate the choice of the most appropriate analysis techniques for the study of metal artifacts of historical, archaeological and artistic interest.
The aim of the course is to give students the fundamentals of extractive metallurgy, thermal treatments and metal manufacturing processes of metallic alloys of interest in the field of cultural heritage.
The educational objective of the course is to provide students with the skills necessary to evaluate the choice of the most appropriate analysis techniques for the study of metal artifacts of historical, archaeological and artistic interest.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able:
to know how metals and alloys were produced and processed in ancient times;
to interpret the phase diagrams and understand the phase transformations in alloys;
to understand how microstructures are originated and how to modify them in order to get the desired properties;
to know the principles of corrosion of metal artifacts in relation to their environment;
to trace the history of the artifact through the compositional, microstructural and mechanical analysis.
to know how metals and alloys were produced and processed in ancient times;
to interpret the phase diagrams and understand the phase transformations in alloys;
to understand how microstructures are originated and how to modify them in order to get the desired properties;
to know the principles of corrosion of metal artifacts in relation to their environment;
to trace the history of the artifact through the compositional, microstructural and mechanical analysis.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Metals and alloys of archeological interest. Elements of extractive metallurgy. State and iron-carbon diagrams. Thermal treatments. Microstructural analysis techniques and metallography. Melting and casting processes. Solidification of metals, casting structures and defects. Earth casting and lost wax processes. Corrosion principles and most common morphologies. Atmospheric and marine corrosion. Study cases.
The first research and use of metals. The age of copper: from native metal to the first metal reduction systems starting from ores. The Bronze Age: casting techniques, techniques for the production of castings and statuary art in antiquity. The Iron Age: from meteorites to the birth of the steel industry. Metallurgy of the Romans: steels, brasses, copper and lead alloys for hydraulic engineering. The evolution of iron ore reduction techniques. The Renaissance and statuary art. The industrial revolution and the birth of the modern steel industry. The use of metal alloys in civil applications.
The first research and use of metals. The age of copper: from native metal to the first metal reduction systems starting from ores. The Bronze Age: casting techniques, techniques for the production of castings and statuary art in antiquity. The Iron Age: from meteorites to the birth of the steel industry. Metallurgy of the Romans: steels, brasses, copper and lead alloys for hydraulic engineering. The evolution of iron ore reduction techniques. The Renaissance and statuary art. The industrial revolution and the birth of the modern steel industry. The use of metal alloys in civil applications.
Prerequisites for admission
No formal pre-requirements or propedeucity are required.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons.
Teaching Resources
Lesson materials are made available to students on Ariel as pdf files or videos.
"Archeometallurgia", edited by W.Nicodemi and C.Mapelli, published by Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia, Milan, Italy (2003).
"La metallografia nei beni culturali", edited by M.Cavallini and R.Montanari, published by Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia, Milan, Italy (2004).
"Archeometallurgia", edited by W.Nicodemi and C.Mapelli, published by Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia, Milan, Italy (2003).
"La metallografia nei beni culturali", edited by M.Cavallini and R.Montanari, published by Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia, Milan, Italy (2004).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral interview on the contents of the course. There may be a written pre-assessment for those attending the lessons only through two possible intermediate tests.
ING-IND/23 - APPLIED PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours