Methods of Archaelogical Research

The class aims to offer a framework, updated and in line with the times, on archaeological research in its various aspects, investigating basic concepts, theories and methods of field and laboratory activity, through the analysis of some case studies. The analysis of the methodological structure of the discipline will allow to start, in an inter and multidisciplinary perspective, reflections on different topics that from the strategies of documentation, analysis and historical reconstruction are extended to include the theme of the profession, the relationship with the community and social and public function of contemporary archeology. In particular, topics that affect the training of the archaeologist will be analyzed during the classes, from field surveys, to work tools, to normative tools, to the great theme of conservation, management, use and enhancement, through an adequate communication of the archaeological heritage.

Based on the Dublin descriptors the objectives of the course are:

1) Knowledge and understanding. Provide students with the knowledge of the development of archaeological research methodologies through the reconstruction of the studies that have given consistency to the discipline.

2) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. To make the student able to consciously tackle a research in the field of classical archeology and its analysis methodologies, through the acquisition of adequate tools and methodologies. This goal will be achieved by involving the student in the preparation of small seminar lessons.

3) Autonomy of judgment. Develop in students a critical approach to texts and materials with the ability to move between cultures, behaviors and meanings of the societies of the ancient world.

4) Communication skills. Provide students with a specialized and appropriate vocabulary to enable them to communicate with language properties to the scientific community.

5) Learning skills. Develop autonomy in the ability to identify the most representative scientific texts and understand them adequately.

The overall classes includes a first series of general lectures with analysis of the guidelines, theories and methods that underlie the methodologies of archaeological research. A second section, on the other hand, includes specific lessons on some topics of particular interest also in relation to the evolution of the discipline in its relationship with contemporary society.

a) Archeology, research methods and strategies;

b) Urban archeology: knowledge of multi-layered cities;

c) Archeology and professions;

d) Archeology and management;

e) Archeology and enhancement;

f) Public archeology.

Furthermore, specific focuses will be held by A. Mazzaglia, expert on the subject, CNR researcher and qualified associate professor in Archeology on the following topics:

g) Archaeological excavation: theories and methods of stratigraphic investigation;

h) Archeology and information technology: ICT technologies to support historical-archaeological reconstruction;

- P. Carafa, Storie dai contesti. Metodologie e procedure della ricerca archeologica, Mondadori Università, Milano 2021 (546 pp.).

- R. Francovich, D. Manacorda (a cura di), Dizionario di archeologia, Bari 2000. Voci: Ambientale, archeologia (L. Motta); Archeobotanica (L. Motta); Architettura, archeologia dell’ (R. Parenti); Archeometria (G. Olcese); Bioarcheologia (L. Motta); Contesto (N. Terrenato); Cultura materiale (E. Giannichedda); Diagnostica (F. Cambi); Etnoarcheologia (M. Vidale); Urbana, archeologia (D. Manacorda); Paradigma indiziario (G. Pucci); Produzione, archeologia della (E. Giannichedda). (15 pp. complessive).

C. Megale – S. Monti, Manuale di management per l’archeologia. Processi e procedure per l’archeologia nella società contemporanea, Milano, 2021 (only chapter 2 from p. 33 to p. 70: total 37 p.).

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