- Docente: Sahra Talamo
- Credits: 10
- SSD: BIO/08
- Language: English
- Moduli: Stefano Benazzi (Modulo 1) Sahra Talamo (Modulo 2)
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
- Campus: Ravenna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Science for the Conservation-Restoration of Cultural Heritage (cod. 8537)
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from Mar 03, 2025 to Mar 12, 2025
Learning outcomes
Module 1: The course aims to provide the knowledge and technical-scientific skills necessary for 3D data acquisition and reconstruction of human skeleton and mummified remains retrieved from archaeological contexts, in order to create 3D digital models useful for further specific analysis, 3D printing, enhancement and exhibition. At the end of the course, students will learn to use software for post-processing surface data and optimizing digital models for 3D printing, and they will learn principles for the digital reconstruction of osteoarchaeological materials. Module 2: The course aims to provide the scientific skills to understand the radiocarbon ‘clock’ (14C) and the expertise to interpret and build chronologies of archaeological sites, which are objects of our cultural heritage. At the end of the course, the students will have acquired basic knowledge of accurate calibration of the radiocarbon time scale (IntCal), reliable extraction of collagen from prehistoric bones and accurate AMS radiocarbon results. Moreover, they will be able to contextualize the series of events in an archeological site using the Bayesian Model in the OxCal program.
Course contents
Module 1:
Introduction to 3D scanning: technologies and working principles; contact and non-contact scanning systems, reflective and transmissive systems; how to choose the 3D acquisition tool, technical considerations and device characteristics; scan protocol. Examples of 3D scans and digital reconstructions.
Introduction to post processing surface data: Geomagic Design X software workflow, set parameters and tools, import point clouds, point clouds alignment, noise cleaning, mesh generation; import meshes, healing defects, 3D model construction, save data, save project, export data; mesh editor, creating cutting planes, sections, curves and measurements (linear, angular, area and volume) of the digital models. Digital reconstruction of human skeletal remains and final optimization of the meshes for 3D printing.
Module 2:
The recent developments in radiocarbon calibration, based on internationally agreed calibration curve (IntCal) spanning back to 50,000 cal BP (calibrated ages Before Present), will be discussed in the introductory section of this module together with the basis of radiocarbon (2-7).
The methodological section of this module will focus on various experiments undertaken to establish an optimal procedure for extracting collagen from bone samples for radiocarbon dating (8-13). The main objectives of these experiments were to remove contamination from the organic bone fractions, which generally results in younger ages, and to avoid the incorporation of exogenous carbon in the laboratory through careful cleaning of the equipment. They will learn how to recognize a good quality collagen using carbon/nitrogen ration and stable isotope analysis (14-16).
The final part will be devoted to the AMS radiocarbon determinations (17, 18) together with the chronological interpretation of various archeological sites (19-25) in order to enable the students to properly read and interpret different scenarios regarding the expansion of our species, as well as the climatic episodes.
Readings/Bibliography
Module 1:
- Notes from the lessons
- Scientific papers uploaded in the Virtuale platform
- A scientific article on a topic of the course chosen by the student
Optional:
- Weber GW, Bookstein FL. Virtual Anthropology - A Guide to a New Interdisciplinary Field. Springer Verlag, Wien, New York, 2011.
- Nikita E (2017). Osteoarchaeology: A Guide to the Macroscopic Study of Human Skeletal Remains. Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc.
- Eline M. J. Schotsmans, Nicholas Márquez‐Grant, Shari L. Forbes (editors, 2017). Taphonomy of Human Remains: Forensic Analysis of the Dead and the Depositional Environment. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Module 2
-Reimer, P. J., et al. (2020). "The IntCal20 Northern hemisphere radiocarbon age calibration curve (0–55 cal kbp)." Radiocarbon 62(4): 725-757.
-Talamo, S., et al. (2023). "Back to the future: The advantage of studying key events in human evolution using a new high resolution radiocarbon method." PLoS ONE 18(2): e0280598.
-Talamo, S., et al. (2023). "Atmospheric radiocarbon levels were highly variable during the last deglaciation." Communications Earth & Environment 4(1): 268.
-Mylopotamitaki, D., et al. (2024). "Homo sapiens reached the higher latitudes of Europe by 45,000 years ago." Nature.
-Malegori, C., et al. (2023). "Near-infrared hyperspectral imaging to map collagen content in prehistoric bones for radiocarbon dating." Communications Chemistry 6(1): 54.
-Talamo, S., et al. (2021). "“Here we go again”: the inspection of collagen extraction protocols for 14C dating and palaeodietary analysis." STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research 7(1): 62-77.
-Talamo, S., et al. (2021). "A 41,500 year-old decorated ivory pendant from Stajnia Cave (Poland)." Scientific Reports 11(1): 22078.
-Hublin, J.-J., et al. (2020). "Initial Upper Palaeolithic Homo sapiens from Bacho Kiro Cave, Bulgaria." Nature 581(7808): 299-302.
-Fewlass, H., et al. (2020). "A 14C chronology for the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition at Bacho Kiro Cave, Bulgaria." Nature ecology & evolution 4(6): 794-801.
Teaching methods
Module 1: The course consists of frontal lectures related to the topics of the programme that can be supplemented by seminars on specific topics. During the course PowerPoint presentations will be used, which will be supplied to the students by means of dedicated online platforms. Finally, students will have the opportunity to undertake practical laboratory exercises, involving the application of osteological techniques to materials retrieved from archaeological excavations, and the analysis and interpretation of data using suitable computer programs.
Module 2:
The course consists of frontal lectures related to the topics of the programme that can be supplemented by seminars on specific topics. During the course PowerPoint presentations will be used, which will be supplied to the students by means of dedicated online platforms.
In the first part, the radiocarbon method is outlined. The present state of the calibration of the radiocarbon time scale is presented focusing on the recent extension and consolidation back to 50,000 years ago. An overview of measurement techniques is given, with an emphasis on AMS as the main radiocarbon measurement technique in use today.
The focus of the second part is how to obtain the most reliable ages from bone samples from archaeological sites. Bone from archaeological context is the preferred material to obtain dates, especially when compared to charcoal, but it presents challenges due to its open structure. In the past decade, it has become apparent that the traditional pretreatment methods are insufficient for very old bone samples, because they may not be capable of removing modern contamination to a satisfactory level. The quantitative aspect of what the addition of a level of modern contaminant 14C contribution would be will be shown and development of new techniques including the use of ultrafiltration will be discussed. The protocol of lab procedures is presented in detail.
Last but not least, the module will be devoted to discussing the chronology of various archeological sites, using Oxcal program in Internet.
To attend the practical part students are required to attend Module 1 and 2 in e- learning mode [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio]
Assessment methods
Students must take an oral or written exam for each modules. The final vote is based on the scientific and methodological knowledge of the student on the arguments discussed during the three exams. Moreover, correct use of language, coupled with critical examination of the covered topics and interdisciplinary linkage, will be also evaluated.
Students not attending. The program of the course is the same for both students attending and not attending. Owing to the nature of the course, frequency of the lessons is strongly recommended. However, students who for valid reasons cannot attend the course are invited to contact the teachers, during the office hours, for the suggestion of potential supplementary texts.
Teaching tools
Module 1: Lectures will be given with the assistance of traditional supports, as well as slide and computer projections. Laboratory exercises will be carried out with suitable materials and instruments.
Module 2:
Lectures will be given with the assistance of traditional supports, as well as slide and computer projections. It should be an internet connection in order to have access to the OxCal online program:
https://c14.arch.ox.ac.uk/oxcal.html
https://c14.arch.ox.ac.uk/oxcal/OxCal.html
Office hours
See the website of Stefano Benazzi [https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/stefano.benazzi/en]
See the website of Sahra Talamo [https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/sahra.talamo/en]
Office hours
See the website of Sahra Talamo
See the website of Stefano Benazzi