B9220 - Archaeology of Production in the Ancient World (LM)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will know the material sources available for reconstructing the production processes and the function of objects and structures found in the archaeology of the ancient world, coping with the technical and anthropological aspects. They will recognize and critically examine the archaeological documentation relating to production sites and places of consumption in ancient finds; they will also know how to identify the diagnostic elements of material culture and have the tools to frame information in its correct chronological, historical, political and social context.

Course contents

The course deals with Archaeology of Production in both theoretical and practical perspectives. A diachronic overview is offered, focusing the examples on the Mediterranean and European areas in Antiquity.

The course is broadly divided in three blocks of lessons:

1. Theoretical and methodological issues

2. Craft processes

3. Thematic studies related to the discipline

Readings and discussions, visits to Museums and Laboratories with hands-on actvities, seminars will be scheduled during the course.

Structure of the course:

1. Theoretical and methodological issues

The first block of lessons are dedicated to theoretical and methodological issues. The most relevant theoretical approaches (e.g. ethnoarchaeology; archaeometry) and the main analytical tools (e.g. classification systems and chrono-morphological seriations) at the base of the discipline are discussed. Special attention is paid to:

2. Craft processes

This second block of lessons deals with crafts employing mechanical modification of the raw materials (i.e. stone, fabrics, bone, wood, amber) and crafts employing transformative processes (i.e. metals, pottery, glass). Besides, the articulation of the productive contexts is investigated through examples amongst archaeological excavations in a diachronic perspective.

A visit to the Etruscan National Museum of Marzabotto and the archaeological park of Kainua (with a particular focus on production contexts and a hands-on experience on related records) will be organised.

3. Thematic studies related to the discipline

The third block of lessons deals with thematic studies:

- Organisation of Labour within the different production contexts. Several methodologies applied to investigate the issue are analysed (i.e. contextual studies, iconography, ethnoarchaeology, epigraphy); special attention is given to the different social roles emerging from the archaeological evidence.

- Cross-craft studies and Skeuomorphism. Cross-craft approaches to the reconstruction of knowledge networks by integrating two or more craft traditions; the latter is the process of mimesis between objects made with different materials.

Readings/Bibliography

For a complete preparation, it is needed to study the following texts:

- C. Renfrew, P. Bahn, Archaeology. Theories, Methods, and Practices, London 20167, 317-356.

- C. Renfrew, P. Bahn, Archaeology. The Key Concepts, Oxon 2005 (ss.vv. The Chaîne Opératoire, Ethnoarchaeology, Archaeological formation processes).

- H. M.-L. Miller, Archaeological Approaches to Technology, USA 2007 (or following editions), 1-166, 237-245.

During the course discussions on selected readings are scheduled. Readings will be presented during the first lesson and will be uploaded in VIRTUALE, i.e. the mutual web space of the course only accessible to Unibo students with institutional credentials.

Teaching methods

Teaching method consists in frontal lectures, collective discussions on readings and visits to Museums dealing with the subject of the course.

Students are strongly encouraged to actively take part in the discussions and visits.

Assessment methods

Attending students

It is required knowledge of specified bibliography and of topics covered during lessons. Attendance to the lessons, active participation to collective discussions and visits to Museums is very helpful to pass the final evaluation. A student who attends at least 75% of the lectures is considered to be attending.

The evaluation will be based on a written work and an oral exam. The essay will be focused on a specific material class, discussed using theoretical approaches and particularly thematic studies addressed during lessons. The topic will be previously agreed with the teacher, and the work could employ the readings discussed during lessons, the general bibliography as well as a more specific set of bibliographical references that each student is required to create.

The essay (about 16,000 characters including notes and bibliography) should be structured by presenting the topic, the aims of the work, the analysis and conclusions. Specific guidelines will be provided. If the student is found to have cheated (that is presenting the work of others as your own) or plagiarized (that is using information and quotations of others without clearly acknowledging the source), he/she won’t pass the exam.

The essay will be discuss with the teacher during an oral exam among the scheduled ones.

The grade assigned to the work will be based on:

- relation of the topic with the course content;

- clarity in structure and aims;

- ability in synthetically expose the structure of the work and defend it in front of the class;

- ability to identify relevant bibliography;

- organisation of the essay;

- critical analysis;

- use of field-specific terminology and appropriate language.

During the oral exam, after the discussion on the essay, the teacher will assess the acquired knowledge through two questions about the topics of the lessons and the texts proposed in the bibliography above. The questions will be aimed at testing the student's ability in exposing with an appropriate language some of the topics as well as his/her skills in making connections between different texts in order to build an argument. The overall evaluation will consider the following parameters:

- an excellent knowledge of the topics, the ability to analyse themes, to refer them by using the field-specific terminology and to discuss specific issues critically, arguing their own opinion, will be rewarded with an excellent mark.

- a mnemonic knowledge of the subject with the ability to analyse, with correct, although not always field-specific command of the language will be rewarded with a 'fair' mark.

- minimal knowledge of the subject will not be enough to pass the exam.

Exam sessions:

During I semester and mid-II semester of a.y. 2025/26, exam sessions are scheduled in the following days: 

- 12/11/2025;

- 17/12/2025;

- 12/01/2026;

- 26/01/2026;

- 16/03/2026

Teaching tools

Each lesson will be accompanied by presentation slides with a wide repertoire of images and conceptual maps, subsequently accessible through VIRTUALE.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Students with special learning needs, students with disabilities will be supported during the course and in the preparation of the exam through individual interviews with the teachers, who will provide all the necessary tools (e.g. bibliography in a foreign language for foreign students; concept maps for students with learning disabilities). Please express personal needs from the beginning of the course or by contacting the teacher by e-mail.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Gaucci