The course aims to raise awareness of the potential of
experimental archeology as an archaeological research methodology in the
interpretation of material data, but also in teaching and dissemination. The
main objective is to initiate students into the practice of scientific
experimentation, that is, to provide adequate preparation to design an
experiment and its protocol thanks to a careful analysis of the data and the
correct formulation of questions also addressed to other humanistic,
naturalistic and archaeometric disciplines. Particular attention will be paid
to experimentation in the study of technological evolution; the transmission of
know-how and the difference between theoretical and practical learning.
Based on the Dublin descriptors, the
objectives of the course are:
1) Knowledge and understanding. The
course wants to introduce students to the potential of experimental archeology
as an archaeological research methodology in the interpretation of material
data, but also in teaching and dissemination.
2) Ability to apply knowledge and
understanding. The course wants to initiate students into the practice of
scientific experimentation, that is, provide them with adequate preparation to
design an experiment with a careful analysis of the data and the correct
formulation of questions, which need to be addressed also to other disciplines
in the field of Human Sciences.
3) Autonomy of judgment. The course
will lead students to approach critically reading and texts and will encourage
them to compare systematically theoretical interpretations and practical experiments.
4) Communication skills. The course
aims to provide students with a specialized terminology to enable them to
communicate adequately their knowledge to the scientific community and to the
wider public.
5) Learning skills. The course aims
to develop autonomy in the ability to identify the most representative
scientific texts and understand them adequately.
The course is divided into two parts: theory and practice.
The first part will take place in the classroom with lectures, supported by
ppt and other materials; the second part will take place in the classroom and /
or outdoors, and involves the use of raw materials.
The course begins with the exposition of the history of the discipline and
will explain its relationship with ethnography and cultural anthropology and
with archaeometry, its scientific practice and its objectives in archaeological
research, teaching, dissemination as well as in the enhancement of the
historical-archaeological heritage.
It
continues with the exposition of the educational and pedagogical potential of
Experimental Archeology in research and dissemination (in schools,
archaeological parks and museums), clarifying the difference between simulation
practice and exploratory-cognitive practice functional to research. During the
course, experimental tests are planned in relation to the processing of
ceramics, stone, bone and vegetable fibers. These are tests aimed at putting
the experimental procedure into practice, from the design of the experiment, to
the drafting of the protocol, up to the carrying out of the tests.
1) C. Lemorini, Che cos’è
l’archeologia sperimentale, Carocci editore (Le Bussole), 2025, pp. 112.
2) Longo L., 2003, Archeologia sperimentale,
esperimenti in archeologia, divulgazione. Osservazioni su significato e ruolo
dell’Archeologia sperimentale, in Rivista Scienze Preistoriche, LIII, pp. 549-568.
3) Zifferero A., 2003, Archeologia sperimentale e parchi
archeologici, in Atti del conv. Archeologie sperimentali. Metodologie ed
esperienze fra verifica, riproduzione, comunicazione e simulazione, Comano
Terme – Fiavè 2001, pp. 49-76.
4) Mannoni T, Giannichedda E. 1996, Archeologia della produzione, cap. I,
II, III, IV, Einaudi, Torino (pp. 40)
5) Todaro S, 2020 Prima del tornio. Un approccio
sperimentale allo studio delle tecniche di foggiatura nel mediterraneo
preistorico, Roma 2020, Edizioniquasar, pp. 146.
Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its
amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their
content can be copied.
For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning
photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla
Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i
Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on
Copyright).
The teachers undertake, within
the limits of the financial resources, to ensure as far as possible that a copy
of the adopted texts is available in the departmental library or (in the case
of hard-to-find texts, articles and essays) to make them available on Studium,
in accordance with the applicable copyright laws.
