The course offers an introductory overview of the methodologies used in contemporary archaeological research, starting from theoretical foundations and progressing to more technical aspects. Particular emphasis will be placed on field investigation techniques, such as archaeological survey, stratigraphic excavation, and methods of data collection and analysis. The course will also provide an introduction to the study of ceramics, focusing on production, function, and their role as indicators of exchange dynamics. Finally, topics related to social archaeology and the transformation of ancient societies will be explored.
There are no prerequisites for this course
The teaching activities will be structured through lectures, essential for acquiring basic knowledge, and practical and laboratory sessions (identification of stratigraphic relationships, cataloguing exercises, analysis of ceramic finds, and recognition of fabrics and forms based on fragments)
Assessment is carried out through an oral examination in Italian. During the exam, students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge of the topics covered in the course, to present them using appropriate terminology, and to show the ability to connect different approaches and methodologies. They should also be able to independently analyse a single monument or artefact. The exam may also include the completion of a recording sheet (architectural, stratigraphic, or object-related), the compilation of a Harris matrix, or the analysis of a ceramic fragment.
The reference bibliography course includes:
C. Renfrew, P. Bahn, E. DeMarrais, L’essenziale di archeologia. Teoria, Metodi, Pratiche, Zanichelli Editori, Bologna 2024 o edizioni precedenti (in particolare Capitoli: 1, 3, 4, 5) o, in alternativa, C. Renfrew, P. Bahn, Archeologia: Teoria, Metodi, Pratica, Zanichelli Editori, Bologna 2018 o edizioni precedenti (in particolare Capitoli: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
A. Carandini, Storie dalla terra. Manuale di scavo archeologico, Torino 1991 o edizioni successive (Capitoli: 1- Storia e principi della stratigrafia, 2- Dalla stratificazione alla stratigrafia, 3- La documentazione: i grafici e le fotografie, sezioni e prospetti, planimetrie).
E.C. Harris, Principi di stratigrafia archeologica, Carocci 2022 o edizioni precedenti (Parti 5, 6, 9 e l’appendice sullo sviluppo del matrix di Harris).
M. Vidale, Ceramica e archeologia, Carocci 2007.
Slides provided during lectures and available on Teams.
Additional recommended readings will be suggested for students who wish to explore specific topics in greater depth.
The 9-ECTS course is divided into 7 sections:
Archaeological Theory
Non-Destructive Archaeological Survey
Archaeological Excavation
Architectural Archaeology
Dating Methods
Ceramics in Archaeology
Social Archaeology
Italian
Students who do not attend classes and Erasmus students are kindly requested to contact the lecturer to arrange a meeting and define the detailed programme.
