13157 - Archaeological Research Methodology (1)

Learning outcomes

The purpose of the course is to give basic information to understand the complexity of modern archaeological research, aimed at a complete reconstruction of the past, not only of the chronological-historical aspects, but also of the economic and social structure, to do that every possible source, direct and indirect, is needed. Fundamental are the current methods and strategies of the stratigraphic excavation, the territorial analysis, the scientific methodologies, contributing to achieve that aim.

In the first part of the lessons, common to those who attended for 5, 6 or 10 credits, are taken into consideration all the archaeological methods able to offer the theoretical basis and know-how in different cases. Some case-studies will be analysed, to show critically the application of methods and researches in their evolution from field work to the publication of the results.

In the second part of the course, reserved for those who follow the course for 10 credits, the problems related to the study of the archaeological finds, as direct sources of primary importance, will be deepened, for the identification of the chronological phases, the reconstruction of the sites, of the productions, of the socio-economic aspects and trades of the ancient populations.

Course contents

Part I (common for 5 and 10 credits): The phases of archaeological research: from the development of stratigraphic archaeology to landscape archaeology, as a means for the reconstruction of the ancient populations. The methods of archaeological mapping: aerial photos, geophysical methods of prospecting, survey. Cartography and documentation at various stages of research. Stratigraphy and techniques of excavation, with reference to the different types of intervention. The documentation and stratigraphic diagram. The study of the finds for the reconstruction of society, technology, production processes. Relative and absolute chronology; methods of dating. Scientific methods for the study of past and the historical reconstruction. The conservation, protection and publishing. Part II (for 10 credits): The archaeological finds as a direct source of primary importance. Archaeology of production and trade in the Roman age: purposes and methods of the study of production areas and archaeological materials in the excavation. 
If students have already attended the seminar of Methodology in the course of Roman Archaeology and Art History, they may attend only the Part II. However, it is always necessary to contact the teacher to agree on the programme.

Readings/Bibliography

* For students attending the lessons *: 5 cfu : 1) A. CARANDINI, Storie dalla terra. Manuale di scavo archeologico, Torino 1991 or 1996. Or C. TRONCHETTI, Metodo e strategie dello scavo archeologico, Roma 2003. 2) F. CAMBI, N. TERRENATO, Introduzione all'archeologia dei paesaggi, Roma 1994. 10 cfu : 1) A. CARANDINI, Storie dalla terra. Manuale di scavo archeologico, Torino 1991 or 1996. Or C. TRONCHETTI, Metodo e strategie dello scavo archeologico, Roma 2003. 2) F. CAMBI, N. TERRENATO, Introduzione all'archeologia dei paesaggi, Roma 1994. 3). Two texts among the following or that will be suggested during the lessons.

** For students NON attending the lessons ** 5 cfu: 1) A. CARANDINI, Storie dalla terra. Manuale di scavo archeologico, Torino 1991 or 1996. Or C. TRONCHETTI, Metodo e strategie dello scavo archeologico, Roma 2003. 2) F. CAMBI, N. TERRENATO, Introduzione all'archeologia dei paesaggi, Roma 1994. 3) C.RENFREW, P. BAHN, Archeologia. Teorie. Metodi. Pratica, Bologna 1995 or 2006, capp. 1-4. 4) R. FRANCOVICH, D. MANACORDA (eds.), Dizionario di Archeologia, Bari 2000, three selected voices. 10 cfu: 1) A. CARANDINI, Storie dalla terra. Manuale di scavo archeologico, Torino 1991 or 1996. Or C. TRONCHETTI, Metodo e strategie dello scavo archeologico, Roma 2003. 2) F. CAMBI, N. TERRENATO, Introduzione all'archeologia dei paesaggi, Roma 1994 3) D. MANACORDA, Lezioni di Archeologia, Bari 2008. 4) R. FRANCOVICH, D. MANACORDA (eds.), Dizionario di Archeologia, Bari 2000, six selected voices. 5) Two texts among the following.

Other bibliography to deepen some topics or to replace specific texts: F. PICCARRETA, Manuale di fotografia aerea. L'uso archeologico, Roma 1987; G. ALVISI, La fotografia aerea nell'indagine archeologica, Roma 1989; R. FRANCOVICH, D. MANACORDA (eds.), Lo scavo archeologico: dalla diagnosi all'edizione, III ciclo di lezioni sulla ricerca applicata in Archeologia, Firenze 1990; P. BARKER, Tecniche dello scavo archeologico, Milano 1991; E.C. HARRIS, Principi di stratigrafia archeologica, Roma 1992; C. RENFREW, P. BAHN, Archeologia. Teorie. Metodi. Pratica, Bologna 1995 o 2006; G. LEONARDI, Processi formativi della stratificazione archeologica, Atti del Seminario Internazionale, Padova 1992;  BERNARDI M. (ed.), Archeologia del paesaggio, IV ciclo di lezioni sulla ricerca applicata in Archeologia, Firenze 1992; A. GUIDI, I metodi della ricerca archeologica, Bari 1994; T. MANNONI, E. GIANNICHEDDA, Archeologia della produzione, Torino 1996; S. SANTORO BIANCHI (ed.), Archeologia come metodo. Le fasi della ricerca, Parma 1997; A.GOTTARELLI (ed.), Sistemi informativi e reti geografiche in Archeologia, VII Ciclo di lezioni sulla ricerca applicata in Archeologia, Firenze 1997; VOLPE G. (ed.), Archeologia subacquea; come opera l'archeologo: storie dalle acque, Firenze 1998; M. FORTE, Guide. Professione Archeologo, Milano 1999; A. CHÉNE, P. FOLIOT, G. RÉVEILLAC, La fotografia in Archeologia, Milano 1999; R. FRANCOVICH, D. MANACORDA (eds.), Dizionario di Archeologia, Bari 2000; E. FELICI, Archeologia subacquea, metodi, tecniche e strumenti, Roma 2002; Il mondo dell'archeologia, 1, Treccani, Roma 2002 (among the different topics significant are: D. Manacorda, Lo scavo archeologico, pp. 174-181, 182-190; G. Leonardi, Lo scavo dei siti preistorici, pp. 190-194; S. Gelichi, Lo scavo nei contesti urbani, pp. 194-198; G.P. Brogiolo, Lo studio degli elevati; E. Tortorici, Lo scavo subacqueo, pp. 202-205; M. Medri, La documentazione dello scavo, pp. 205-210; M. Necci, La fotografia archeologica, pp. 210-212); C. PEDELI', S. PULGA, Pratiche conservative sullo scavo archeologico, Firenze 2002; M. MEDRI, Manuale di rilievo archeologico, Bari 2003; M. CARVER, Archaeological Value and Evaluation, Mantova 2003; D. MANACORDA, Prima lezione di Archeologia, Bari 2004; E. GIANNICHEDDA (ed.), Metodi e pratiche della cultura materiale. Produzione e consumo dei manufatti, Bordighera 2004; M. VIDALE, Che cos'è l'etnoarcheologia, Roma 2004; D. GANDOLFI (ed.), La ceramica e i materiali di età romana. Classi, produzioni, commerci e consumi, Bordighera 2005; E. GIANNICHEDDA, Uomini e cose, Appunti di archeologia, Bari 2006; D. MANACORDA, Il sito archeologico: fra ricerca e valorizzazione, Roma 2007; M. VIDALE, Ceramica e archeologia, Roma 2007; N. CUOMO DI CAPRIO, Ceramica in archeologia 2, Antiche tecniche di lavorazione e moderni metodi di indagine, Roma 2007;  D. MANACORDA, Lezioni di Archeologia, Bari 2008.

Other texts will be suggested at the beginning and during the lessons. An agreement with the teacher is suggested to choose individual bibliography or to replace texts.

Teaching methods

The lessons are conducted with a great use of images. They are flanked by seminars, which allow students to see the documentation related to an excavation, in order to gain familiarity with the methodology of archaeological research. Is useful, to complete the course, to attend the Laboratory of Archaeological Survey, held at the Department of Archaeology (Dr. Enrico Giorgi).

Laboratory activities, related to the archaeological finds, are suggested, to acquire skills in classification and study of ceramic artefacts.

The timetable and modalities of these activities will be given at the beginning of classes.

Assessment methods

- Interim examination (written)
- Final examination (oral)

Teaching tools

Video-projector, laboratory equipment

Office hours

See the website of Luisa Mazzeo