C9819 - DOCUMENTARE E COMUNICARE L'ARCHEOLOGIA

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with multimedia technological skills applicable to the documentation of contexts and materials during and after archaeological excavations, with particular attention to the acquisition of IT competencies necessary for the proper management and transmission of collected data to the relevant authorities, in accordance with current national and international regulations. It also prepares for the virtual restoration of archaeological materials and for the related strategies of musealization, communication, and scientific dissemination of archaeological research through the use of augmented reality and artificial intelligence. By the end of the course, students will: master the theoretical and practical foundations of the digital representation of archaeological data in various formats; be familiar with advanced techniques and protocols for documenting, transmitting, and communicating archaeological research using state-of-the-art instruments and technologies.

Course contents

The course consists of two parts. The first focuses on archaeological documentation, while the second addresses the communication of archaeological heritage.

The following topics will be covered:

Part 1. Documenting Archaeology

• Documentation of non-invasive archaeological surveys and/or archaeological excavations in accordance with the standards required by national and international heritage authorities and institutions;
• Manual and instrument-based topographic survey: methods and tools;
• Documentation of archaeological artefacts;
• Digital graphic representation of archaeological heritage: methods and data processing software;
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS);
• 3D modelling and virtual reconstruction of archaeological heritage;
• Introduction to Preventive Verification of Archaeological Interest (Verifica Preventiva dell'Interesse Archeologico – VPIA);
• Introduction to the use of Artificial Intelligence in the documentation of archaeological heritage.

Part 2. Communicating Archaeology

• Public Archaeology: principles of scientific communication and public engagement;
• Communicating geospatial data: geodatabases and web technologies;
• Digital technologies for dissemination and immersive experiences: sensory archaeology, virtual museums, and archaeogaming;
• Participatory archaeology: the relationship between archaeology and society;
• Multimedia content for archaeology: websites, digital storytelling, social media, podcasts, and web radio;
• Introduction to the use of Artificial Intelligence in the communication of archaeological heritage.

Throughout the course, significant national and international case studies will be presented and critically discussed to illustrate methodological approaches to archaeological documentation, digital data processing, and the communication and dissemination of archaeological heritage.

Readings/Bibliography

Given the specific structure of the course, regular attendance is strongly recommended.

Students will be considered attending students if they have attended at least 12 out of 15 lectures. Students who are absent for more than 3 lectures will not be considered attending students and will be required to prepare the non-attending students’ programme described below.

 

Attending students

Exam preparation must be based on lecture notes as well as on the following compulsory texts:

• Volpe G., 2026, Archeologia. Storia e metodi, paesaggi e persone, Bari-Roma, the following selected sections: pp. 69-86, paragraphs nn. 1-5; pp. 109-113, paragraph n. 13; pp. 165-191 paragraphs nn. 1, 3-7.

• Giorgi E (ed.), 2009, groma2. In profondità senza scavare. Metodologie di indagine non invasiva e diagnostica per l'archeologia, Bologna, the following selected sections:

- 3. Topografia per l’archeologia (pp. 29-116);

- 4. Topografia per l’archeologia. Schede (4.1 Sistemi di riferimento; 4.2 Sistemi di coordinate; 4.6 Livello ottico; 4.7 Stazione totale; 4.8 GNSS; 4.10 Laser scanner) (pp. 221-224, 237-250, 253-256).

• Boi V., Il Geoportale Nazionale per l'Archeologia (GNA). Standardizzazione e apertura dei dati, pp. 1-7. doi:10.60974/GNA_02

• Alessandri L. et al., 2025, From pencil to pixel: assessing ceramatic 2.0 against manual and laser-aided techniques in archaeological pottery documentation, in Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 37, pp. 1-10.

• One paper selected from the following:

- Cultraro M., 2015, Il Museo Virtuale dell’Iraq: riflessioni e proposte per un’archeologia della narrazione, in Museum.dià. I° Convegno Internazionale di Museologia. Politiche, poetiche e proposte per una narrazione museale. Atti dell’Incontro Internazionale di Studi. Roma, Mercati di Traiano – Museo dei Fori Imperiali 23-24 Maggio 2014, Roma, pp. 131-145.

- Forte M., 2014, 3D Archaeology. New Perspectives and Challenges — The Example of Çatalhöyük, in Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage Studies 2, n. 1, pp. 1-29.

- Giorgi E., 2024, Strumenti concettuali e operativi di un progetto di archeologia pubblica, in Giorgi E. – Zanini E. (eds.), Vignale 1. La valutazione archeologica e il progetto di archeologia partecipata, Roma, pp. 327-355.

- Marano M. – Frisoni D. – Secci R., 2025, New technologies in the enhancement of an archaeological site: Virtual Archaeology experiences at the Punic site of Sarcapos (S. Maria di Villaputzu, Sardinia), in Aran Journal 1, Special Issue: ISC-RHCG-2025, pp. 440-461.

- Rossini O., 2010, I colori dell’Ara Pacis. Storia di un esperimento, in Archeomatica. Tecnologie per i Beni Culturali 3, pp. 20-25.

 

Non-attending students

Exam preparation must be based on the following compulsory readings:

• Volpe G., 2026, Archeologia. Storia e metodi, paesaggi e persone, Bari-Roma, the following selected sections: pp. 69-86, paragraphs nn. 1-5; pp. 98-113, paragraphs nn. 11-13; pp. 165-191 paragraphs nn. 1, 3-7.

• Renfrew C. – Bahn P., 2018, Archeologia. Teoria, metodi e pratica, Bologna, the following selected sections: pp. 59-61, 63-82, 85, 112-113, 116-118.

• Giorgi E. (ed.), 2009, groma2. In profondità senza scavare. Metodologie di indagine non invasiva e diagnostica per l'archeologia, Bologna, the following selected sections:

- 3. Topografia per l’archeologia (pp. 29-116);

- 4. Topografia per l’archeologia. Schede (4.1 Sistemi di riferimento; 4.2 Sistemi di coordinate; 4.6 Livello ottico; 4.7 Stazione totale; 4.8 GNSS; 4.10 Laser scanner) (pp. 221-232, 237-250, 253-256);

- 7. Gestione dati per l'archeologia (pp. 421-438).

• Boi V., Il Geoportale Nazionale per l'Archeologia (GNA). Standardizzazione e apertura dei dati, pp. 1-7. doi:10.60974/GNA_02

• Norme per la redazione della scheda del saggio stratigrafico, 1984, Roma, the following selected sections: pp. 17-34. http://www.iccd.beniculturali.it/getFile.php?id=7216

• Harris E., Principi di stratigrafia archeologica, Roma 2016 (o edizione del 1998). (full text)

• One paper selected from the following:

- Cultraro M., 2015, Il Museo Virtuale dell’Iraq: riflessioni e proposte per un’archeologia della narrazione, in Museum.dià. I° Convegno Internazionale di Museologia. Politiche, poetiche e proposte per una narrazione museale. Atti dell’Incontro Internazionale di Studi. Roma, Mercati di Traiano – Museo dei Fori Imperiali 23-24 Maggio 2014, Roma, pp. 131-145.

- Forte M., 2014, 3D Archaeology. New Perspectives and Challenges — The Example of Çatalhöyük, in Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage Studies 2, n. 1, pp. 1-29.

- Giorgi E., 2024, Strumenti concettuali e operativi di un progetto di archeologia pubblica, in Giorgi E. – Zanini E. (eds.), Vignale 1. La valutazione archeologica e il progetto di archeologia partecipata, Roma, pp. 327-355.

- Marano M. – Frisoni D. – Secci R., 2025, New technologies in the enhancement of an archaeological site: Virtual Archaeology experiences at the Punic site of Sarcapos (S. Maria di Villaputzu, Sardinia), in Aran Journal 1, Special Issue: ISC-RHCG-2025, pp. 440-461.

- Rossini O., 2010, I colori dell’Ara Pacis. Storia di un esperimento, in Archeomatica. Tecnologie per i Beni Culturali 3, pp. 20-25.

Teaching methods

The course will combine lectures with practical activities, including exercises focused on the production of archaeological documentation and the creation of contents for the communication of archaeological heritage. The aim is to integrate methodological knowledge with practical skills directly applicable in different areas of the archaeological profession.

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning outcomes will be carried out through individual oral examinations.

The examination will consist of questions on the topics addressed during the course. The exam will also include practical questions concerning the aspects covered in the hands-on activities: documentation techniques (completion of archaeological excavation records, creation of a Harris matrix, or knowledge of software for archaeological data processing) and the creation of multimedia content for archaeological communication.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not permitted during the assessment process. Any use of AI tools will be considered a violation of academic integrity.

 

Students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge of the fundamental concepts, methods, and techniques related to documentation and communication in archaeology, as well as their understanding of the topics concerning professional archaeological practice discussed during the course.

Both attending and non-attending students will be assessed according to the following criteria:

- an excellent and comprehensive knowledge of the subject, combined with excellent presentation skills, outstanding critical thinking and synthesis abilities, proficiency in the methodological and technical application of course content, and the ability to establish interdisciplinary connections (30/30 cum laude);

- a broad and complete knowledge of the subject, combined with confident presentation skills and significant abilities in critical analysis, synthesis, methodological and technical application of course content, and interdisciplinary connections (28/30–30/30);

- a good knowledge of the subject, combined with good ability to present course content, apply methodological and technical concepts, and establish interdisciplinary connections (23/30–27/30);

- a sufficient knowledge of the subject, combined with a superficial presentation of concepts and limited mastery of methodological and technical applications (18/30–22/30);

- insufficient knowledge of the subject, combined with an inadequate presentation of the topics, will result in a failing grade, even in the case of regular attendance.

Teaching tools

Lecture slides (available only to attending students) provided through the Virtuale platform;

Additional specialised bibliography suggested during the lectures for further study;

Web resources.

 

Students who are affected by learning disability (DSA) or with temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the relevant University office in due time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en). The office will propose any appropriate accommodations to the students concerned, which must nevertheless be submitted to the professor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The professor will assess their suitability, also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Melania Marano