85154 - Archaeological Theory in Practice. From Excavation to the Public.

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide in-depth knowledge, through theoretical and laboratory training, of archaeological research methods as primary sources for the study and understanding of past societies. The different themes of the discipline will be covered: from excavation and documentation techniques; to the study and analysis of archaeological and bio-archaeological materials; to the tools that allow an adequate evaluation of the archaeological heritage. At the end of the course the student is able to correctly deal with an archaeological excavation and to document it, to understand and interpret the informative potential of the different classes of archaeological materials, to plan the different survey and documentation techniques necessary for its investigation and recording.

Course contents

The course programme will cover the main themes and methods of modern archaeological research, tracing its main stages: from preliminary investigations to excavation, from documentation to interpretation of data, from communication of results to public use.
Particular emphasis will be placed on cultural communication methods, public archaeology and the effects of archaeological research on contemporary society and territorial governance.
An in-depth study will focus on preventive archaeology and the methods and techniques of archaeology without excavation, for the purposes of study, mapping and conservation. The theoretical and practical approach of contemporary archaeological analysis will also be addressed through the discussion of case studies and practical exercises ( by reading and interpreting remote sensing and excavation data).

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students, in addition to the course notes, are required to study the following texts for the preparation of the exam:

- P. Carafa, Storie dai contesti. Metodologia e procedure della ricerca archeologica. Mondadori 2021.

 

For non-attending students the preparation of the exam requires the study of the following texts:

- P. Carafa, Storie dai contesti. Metodologia e procedure della ricerca archeologica. Mondadori 2021.

- D. Manacorda, Il sito archeologico: fra ricerca e valorizzazione, Carocci 2007.

- F. Boschi. Archeologia senza scavo. Geofisica e indagini non invasive. Bononia University Press 2020.

Teaching methods

The teaching is held in face-to-face lessons, the attendance of which is highly recommended. In-depth seminars are planned with the involvement of experts on specific topics among those scheduled.
The lessons include the use of support teaching material (in particular power points and videos), aimed at facilitating learning and stimulating interest, within which further bibliographical suggestions will be provided, with attention to the most current research and the most up-to-date international scientific journals.

Assessment methods

The examination will consist of an oral exam, the purpose of which is to assess the acquisition of basic knowledge in the field of archaeological research methodology, the topics discussed in the lecture and the reference bibliography. The acquisition of specialist language will be assessed very positively.
The aim of the examination is also to verify the methodological and critical skills acquired by the student. Given the importance of attending lectures, the following assessment parameters will be adopted for both attending and non-attending students.

Attending students

 The student's ability to take an active part in the lessons will be assessed: these abilities, added with the achievement of an exhaustive understanding of the subject matter covered in the lessons, with the demonstration of a critical sense and with adequate means of verbal expression, will be assessed with maximum marks (27-30 with laude).

Attendance at lectures, associated with a predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the subject matter of the course and not fully satisfactory verbal expression and logical skills, will be assessed with marks ranging from good (24-26) to satisfactory (21-23).

Class attendance combined with minimal acquisition of the course subject and inadequate verbal expression and logical ability will be assessed with a score of sufficient (18-20).

The absence of a minimum acquisition of the course subject coupled with verbal expression and inadequate logical skills will be assessed with an insufficient score, which requires retaking the examination.

Non-attending students

Non-attending students will be assessed primarily on their ability to use the bibliography and multimedia tools provided to expound appropriately on the course content. This ability, combined with the achievement of a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter covered in the course of the lectures, with the demonstration of a critical sense and appropriate means of verbal expression, will be assessed with maximum marks (27-30 cum laude).

A predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the subject matter of the course, with verbal expression and logical skills not fully satisfactory, will be assessed with marks between good (24-26) and satisfactory (21-23).

A minimal acquisition of the course subject, with inadequate verbal expression and logical skills, will be assessed with a score of sufficient (18-20).

A minimal acquisition of the course subject combined with inadequate verbal expression and logical skills will be assessed with an insufficient score, which requires retaking the entire examination.

Teaching tools

During the lessons there will be constant use of specially constructed power point presentations specifically dedicated to the topics covered. Video and internet resources will also be used. At the end of the lesson, support material will be made available to students on the Online Teaching platform Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Federica Boschi