Methodology of the Archaeological Research
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
To introduce the activities of the archaeological research, with a particular focus on the modern methods of investigation related to excavation, archaeological survey and the study of the ancient production. Attention is also given to underwater archaeology and to the cargoes of the wrecks of the Mediterranean, whose study allows us to reconstruct the history of ancient trades.
A section of the module aims to take into account the main periods of the Ancient History, in order to provide a tool for understanding the evolution dynamics of past societies; furthermore, a series of practical exercises will be aimed at offering the basic knowledge on archaeological documentation and the study of the finds.
A section of the module aims to take into account the main periods of the Ancient History, in order to provide a tool for understanding the evolution dynamics of past societies; furthermore, a series of practical exercises will be aimed at offering the basic knowledge on archaeological documentation and the study of the finds.
Expected learning outcomes
The course is designed to provide students with the necessary tools for the study of archaeological contexts, of the on land and underwater finds, and to elaborate and to interpret the data through archaeological and archaeometric methods.
Student will be able to find orientation through the different periods of the Ancient History; they will also have the opportunity to gain practical experience of the different phases of the archaeologist's work, through a series of practical activities.
Student will be able to find orientation through the different periods of the Ancient History; they will also have the opportunity to gain practical experience of the different phases of the archaeologist's work, through a series of practical activities.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
The course will provide an introduction to a wide range of basic themes of archaeological field research including excavation, survey, finds, giving space to the scientific methods (archaeometry) and their application in the archaeological field (dating methods, prospection, determination of origin, technology).
The lectures include the presentation of ongoing archaeometric projects and databases realized within the Immensa Aequora project (www.immensaaequora.org).
Some hours of lesson aim to offer an overview of the main periods of the Ancient History, through an examination of the evolution of cultural dynamics and archaeological evidence of different societies over the centuries, and practical exercises focused on the study of stratigraphy and of archaeological finds, in particular ceramics, which students will be able to classify.
The lectures include the presentation of ongoing archaeometric projects and databases realized within the Immensa Aequora project (www.immensaaequora.org).
Some hours of lesson aim to offer an overview of the main periods of the Ancient History, through an examination of the evolution of cultural dynamics and archaeological evidence of different societies over the centuries, and practical exercises focused on the study of stratigraphy and of archaeological finds, in particular ceramics, which students will be able to classify.
Prerequisites for admission
No
Teaching methods
Lectures with the aid of PowerPoint presentations. There will be practical lessons on ancient finds (description and classification of objects/finds).
Teaching Resources
ATTENDING STUDENTS
1) C. Renfrew, P. Bahn, Archeologia: Teorie, Metodi, Pratica, Zanichelli Editori, Bologna 2006 (in particolare, i capitoli: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 e 9).
2) Dizionario di Archeologia, (a cura di R. Francovich e D. Manacorda), Editori Laterza, Roma-Bari 2000
in particular, the items: Archeometria; Campionatura; Commercio (Archeologia del); Contesto; Cronologia; Cultura Materiale; Datazione; Determinazione d'origine; Diagnostica archeologica; Etnoarcheologia; Geoarcheologia; New Archaeology; Produzione (Archeologia della); Post-processuale (Archeologia); Ricognizione archeologica; Scavo archeologico; Scavo, pratica e documentazione; Seriazione; Sperimentale (archeologia); Subacquea (archeologia); Tecnologie produttive; Urbana (archeologia).
3) One to choose from:
- A. Guidi, I metodi della ricerca archeologica, Roma 2005 (in particular, chapters 3 and 4)
or
- E. C. Harris, Principi di stratigrafia archeologica, Roma 1995 (parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 - to be confirmed - and the Appendices of the volume).
4) R. Petriaggi, B. Davidde, Archeologia sott'acqua. Teoria e pratica, Roma 2007 (chapters 1, 2, 6 e 7).
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
For those who have missed more than 3 lessons or have not attended at all, the program will be integrated with:
- Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana (a cura di), Il mondo dell'archeologia: Storia, metodi, protagonisti, Roma 2002
in particular, chapters: L'indagine sul campo (pp. 149-222); Le datazioni (pp. 266-292); Metodi matematici e statistici (pp. 310-326).
+
a volume of your choice between:
- G. P. Brogiolo, Archeologia dell'edilizia storica, Como 1988.
- T. Mannoni, E. Giannichedda, Archeologia della produzione, Torino 1996.
- E. Giannichedda, Archeologia teorica, Roma 2002.
- M. Vidale, Che cos'è l'etnoarcheologia, Roma 2004.
- M. Jones, Cacciatori di molecole. L'archeologia alla ricerca del DNA antico, Roma 2005.
- P. E. McGovern, L'archeologo e l'uva, Roma 2005.
- S. Settis, Paesaggio, Costituzione, Cemento, Milano 2010.
- F. Cambi, Manuale di archeologia dei paesaggi, Roma 2011.
- E. Farinetti, I paesaggi in archeologia: analisi e interpretazione, Roma 2012.
INTEGRATIONS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT ATTENDED OR LOST MORE LESSONS FROM THE PRACTICAL SEMINARS WILL BE COMMUNICATED DURING THE COURSE
1) C. Renfrew, P. Bahn, Archeologia: Teorie, Metodi, Pratica, Zanichelli Editori, Bologna 2006 (in particolare, i capitoli: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 e 9).
2) Dizionario di Archeologia, (a cura di R. Francovich e D. Manacorda), Editori Laterza, Roma-Bari 2000
in particular, the items: Archeometria; Campionatura; Commercio (Archeologia del); Contesto; Cronologia; Cultura Materiale; Datazione; Determinazione d'origine; Diagnostica archeologica; Etnoarcheologia; Geoarcheologia; New Archaeology; Produzione (Archeologia della); Post-processuale (Archeologia); Ricognizione archeologica; Scavo archeologico; Scavo, pratica e documentazione; Seriazione; Sperimentale (archeologia); Subacquea (archeologia); Tecnologie produttive; Urbana (archeologia).
3) One to choose from:
- A. Guidi, I metodi della ricerca archeologica, Roma 2005 (in particular, chapters 3 and 4)
or
- E. C. Harris, Principi di stratigrafia archeologica, Roma 1995 (parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 - to be confirmed - and the Appendices of the volume).
4) R. Petriaggi, B. Davidde, Archeologia sott'acqua. Teoria e pratica, Roma 2007 (chapters 1, 2, 6 e 7).
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
For those who have missed more than 3 lessons or have not attended at all, the program will be integrated with:
- Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana (a cura di), Il mondo dell'archeologia: Storia, metodi, protagonisti, Roma 2002
in particular, chapters: L'indagine sul campo (pp. 149-222); Le datazioni (pp. 266-292); Metodi matematici e statistici (pp. 310-326).
+
a volume of your choice between:
- G. P. Brogiolo, Archeologia dell'edilizia storica, Como 1988.
- T. Mannoni, E. Giannichedda, Archeologia della produzione, Torino 1996.
- E. Giannichedda, Archeologia teorica, Roma 2002.
- M. Vidale, Che cos'è l'etnoarcheologia, Roma 2004.
- M. Jones, Cacciatori di molecole. L'archeologia alla ricerca del DNA antico, Roma 2005.
- P. E. McGovern, L'archeologo e l'uva, Roma 2005.
- S. Settis, Paesaggio, Costituzione, Cemento, Milano 2010.
- F. Cambi, Manuale di archeologia dei paesaggi, Roma 2011.
- E. Farinetti, I paesaggi in archeologia: analisi e interpretazione, Roma 2012.
INTEGRATIONS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT ATTENDED OR LOST MORE LESSONS FROM THE PRACTICAL SEMINARS WILL BE COMMUNICATED DURING THE COURSE
Assessment methods and Criteria
Final written test.
L-ANT/10 - METHODS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH - University credits: 9
Lessons: 72 hours
Professor:
Olcese Gloria Angela
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)