ID:
508790
Durata (ore):
36
CFU:
6
SSD:
METODOLOGIE DELLA RICERCA ARCHEOLOGICA
Anno:
2025
Dati Generali
Periodo di attività
Secondo Semestre (23/02/2026 - 22/05/2026)
Syllabus
Obiettivi Formativi
How do archaeologists reconstruct and interpret the past? How does archaeological
research contribute to the broader study of the human species through time?
"Reconstructing the Past: Methods and Tools" is designed to provide the student with an
understanding of both theory and practice currently applied to archaeological science.
At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:
• Discuss the contributions of archaeology and related sub-fields to the study of human
history;
• Critically understand the changing theoretical framework under which the past is
interpreted;
• Explain the range of field methods used in archaeology to investigate the human past;
• Identify a variety of categories of archaeological data and assess how they have been
processed and used to understand the human past;
• Identify the major techniques used to date objects from the past, including the
circumstances under which they can be used and the limitations inherent in each
technique;
• Evaluate the interplay between research questions, theories, materials and methods,
and data, and how to disseminate and popularise the results.
research contribute to the broader study of the human species through time?
"Reconstructing the Past: Methods and Tools" is designed to provide the student with an
understanding of both theory and practice currently applied to archaeological science.
At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:
• Discuss the contributions of archaeology and related sub-fields to the study of human
history;
• Critically understand the changing theoretical framework under which the past is
interpreted;
• Explain the range of field methods used in archaeology to investigate the human past;
• Identify a variety of categories of archaeological data and assess how they have been
processed and used to understand the human past;
• Identify the major techniques used to date objects from the past, including the
circumstances under which they can be used and the limitations inherent in each
technique;
• Evaluate the interplay between research questions, theories, materials and methods,
and data, and how to disseminate and popularise the results.
Prerequisiti
To better follow the course, a basic knowledge of world geography and history is
suggested.
suggested.
Metodi didattici
The structure of this course can include both lecture and seminar components.
Students will be required to attend scheduled classes, and to participate in seminar
discussions and class exercises and technical demonstrations. Full and actively class
participation will contribute to the final grade.
Students must carefully and critically read the assigned texts and contribute regularly to seminar discussions with incisive and articulate commentary in verbal and written form. In addition, you will be expected to develop your own case study project. Frontal lessons will be around 90 minutes long, with the use of MS PowerPoint and occasional videos.
Student-Led classroom discussions are encouraged to discuss the main topics or particular aspects at the end of each lesson. Students will be also encouraged to discuss in class the selected case-studies, in order to choose and prepare the final research project outline or the short research paper.
Class presentations: students will be required to present a research to the class during the last week of course. Presentations will have to be 10 minutes long, followed by a 5 minute question session.
Students will be required to attend scheduled classes, and to participate in seminar
discussions and class exercises and technical demonstrations. Full and actively class
participation will contribute to the final grade.
Students must carefully and critically read the assigned texts and contribute regularly to seminar discussions with incisive and articulate commentary in verbal and written form. In addition, you will be expected to develop your own case study project. Frontal lessons will be around 90 minutes long, with the use of MS PowerPoint and occasional videos.
Student-Led classroom discussions are encouraged to discuss the main topics or particular aspects at the end of each lesson. Students will be also encouraged to discuss in class the selected case-studies, in order to choose and prepare the final research project outline or the short research paper.
Class presentations: students will be required to present a research to the class during the last week of course. Presentations will have to be 10 minutes long, followed by a 5 minute question session.
Verifica Apprendimento
Final examination will be an oral discussion, and an optional short essay or research
paper (4-10 pages);
The choice to proceed with the short essay or research paper will make up for part of
the course examination requirements.
paper (4-10 pages);
The choice to proceed with the short essay or research paper will make up for part of
the course examination requirements.
Testi
Required main textbook:
Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P. 2015. Archeology Essentials. Theories, Methods, Practice.
Thames & Hudson Ltd, London.
Optional textbook for those new to archaeology:
Bahn, P. 2012. Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
(suggested)
One text to be chosen among the following additional textbooks (to be discussed with
the lecturer):
On archaeological theory:
Johnson, M. 2020. Archaeological Theory: An Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell (3rd
edition).
Trigger, B. G. 2006. A History of Archaeological Thought. Cambridge University Press.
On excavation techniques:
Collis, J. 2010. Digging up the Past. An introduction to archaeological excavation. The
History Press.
On archaeometry:
Balme, J. and Paterson, A. 2006 (eds.). Archaeology in Practice. A Student Guide to
Archaeological Analyses. Oxford, Blackwell.
On funerary archaeology:
Parker Pearson, M. 2009. The Archaeology of Death and Burial. The History Press.
On public archaeology:
Moshenska, G. 2017 (ed.). Key Concepts in Public Archaeology. UCL Press, London
Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P. 2015. Archeology Essentials. Theories, Methods, Practice.
Thames & Hudson Ltd, London.
Optional textbook for those new to archaeology:
Bahn, P. 2012. Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
(suggested)
One text to be chosen among the following additional textbooks (to be discussed with
the lecturer):
On archaeological theory:
Johnson, M. 2020. Archaeological Theory: An Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell (3rd
edition).
Trigger, B. G. 2006. A History of Archaeological Thought. Cambridge University Press.
On excavation techniques:
Collis, J. 2010. Digging up the Past. An introduction to archaeological excavation. The
History Press.
On archaeometry:
Balme, J. and Paterson, A. 2006 (eds.). Archaeology in Practice. A Student Guide to
Archaeological Analyses. Oxford, Blackwell.
On funerary archaeology:
Parker Pearson, M. 2009. The Archaeology of Death and Burial. The History Press.
On public archaeology:
Moshenska, G. 2017 (ed.). Key Concepts in Public Archaeology. UCL Press, London
Contenuti
The course is divided into 11 Units, each of which examines a specific topic in
archaeological theory and methods:
1 – Introduction. What on earth is Archaeology?
2 – The Idea of Human Antiquity (from Antiquarianism to Positivism)
3 – The ‘Long Sleep’ (Racism and Culture History)
4 – Principles of Archaeological Theory (1960 – present)
5 – Research Design: Strategies, Funding, and Stakeholders
6 – Excavation Methods: Planning, Excavating, Recording, 7 – Processing: from Photogrammetry to GIS;
8 – Material Culture: Quantification, Typology and Chronology
9 – Scientific Analyses: Dating and Characterisation of Materials
10 – Landscape Archaeology: What the environment and landscape can tell us
11 – Interpreting the Past: Anthropology, Ethnoarchaeology, Experimental archaeology
For a basic understanding of archaeological theory, we will critically address the
historical development of the theoretical aspects of the discipline of archaeology, from
the Antiquarians of the 18th century, through the 19th century main breakthroughs (U2)
and the culture-history paradigm (U3), to an introduction to the second half of the 20th
century (processualism, post-processualism) and contemporary theoretical trends
(U4).
The second part of the course concerns the aims and methods of archaeological
research. We will see how (and why!) to design and organise an excavation, a fieldwork
(even an armchair study) (U5), addressing the most relevant methods, including the
study of site formation process, stratigraphy, site planning, finds recording and
handling, and data processing, with in-depth, hands-on experiences of 3D
Photogrammetry and the ABC of GIS use (U6 and U7).
Since a key focus of archaeological research is on material culture, we will introduce
you to the wide range of concepts and methods used in the analysis of archaeological
material, including typology, chronology, and statistical analysis (U8).
Practical demonstrations are aimed at providing basic knowledge skills with common
dating methods in archaeology. This includes examining the physical and chemical
processes that allow for both radiocarbon dating, luminescence dating, and
dendrochronology (U9).
Another central topic is related to how landscape analysis techniques and tools have
changed the way in which we understand the past and plan our research (U10).
The course concludes with a final unit, dedicated to the interpretation of the past: how
anthropology, ethnoarchaeology and experimental archaeology can improve our study
and capacity to understand past societies (U11).
archaeological theory and methods:
1 – Introduction. What on earth is Archaeology?
2 – The Idea of Human Antiquity (from Antiquarianism to Positivism)
3 – The ‘Long Sleep’ (Racism and Culture History)
4 – Principles of Archaeological Theory (1960 – present)
5 – Research Design: Strategies, Funding, and Stakeholders
6 – Excavation Methods: Planning, Excavating, Recording, 7 – Processing: from Photogrammetry to GIS;
8 – Material Culture: Quantification, Typology and Chronology
9 – Scientific Analyses: Dating and Characterisation of Materials
10 – Landscape Archaeology: What the environment and landscape can tell us
11 – Interpreting the Past: Anthropology, Ethnoarchaeology, Experimental archaeology
For a basic understanding of archaeological theory, we will critically address the
historical development of the theoretical aspects of the discipline of archaeology, from
the Antiquarians of the 18th century, through the 19th century main breakthroughs (U2)
and the culture-history paradigm (U3), to an introduction to the second half of the 20th
century (processualism, post-processualism) and contemporary theoretical trends
(U4).
The second part of the course concerns the aims and methods of archaeological
research. We will see how (and why!) to design and organise an excavation, a fieldwork
(even an armchair study) (U5), addressing the most relevant methods, including the
study of site formation process, stratigraphy, site planning, finds recording and
handling, and data processing, with in-depth, hands-on experiences of 3D
Photogrammetry and the ABC of GIS use (U6 and U7).
Since a key focus of archaeological research is on material culture, we will introduce
you to the wide range of concepts and methods used in the analysis of archaeological
material, including typology, chronology, and statistical analysis (U8).
Practical demonstrations are aimed at providing basic knowledge skills with common
dating methods in archaeology. This includes examining the physical and chemical
processes that allow for both radiocarbon dating, luminescence dating, and
dendrochronology (U9).
Another central topic is related to how landscape analysis techniques and tools have
changed the way in which we understand the past and plan our research (U10).
The course concludes with a final unit, dedicated to the interpretation of the past: how
anthropology, ethnoarchaeology and experimental archaeology can improve our study
and capacity to understand past societies (U11).
Lingua Insegnamento
INGLESE
Corsi
Corsi
THE ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN WORLD. HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY AND ART
Laurea Magistrale
2 anni
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