73783 - Anthropology and Biology Applied to Cultural Heritage

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will acquire basic knowledge about human evolution, the human fossil record, and prehistoric cultures. In particular, students will have an overview about problems related to the study of the human skeletal remains, and he/she is able to understand their importance as cultural heritage for their conservation and valorization. Moreover, the student will acquire knowledge on the biodeterioration processes linked to the growth of organisms on natural and artificial surfaces within the framework of the cultural heritage. By means of laboratory activities, students will examine technical aspects related to control, monitoring and intervention against the biodeteriogens.

Course contents

The course is arranged in three main parts: a first part that provides an overview of human evolution, of the archaeoanthropological materials, conditions and techniques of excavation and recovery of human remains, basic knowledge of skeletal anatomy; a second part aiming at providing theoretical/practical information about biodeterioration processes that affect various materials and methods to deal with biodeteriogens; a third part to learn the restoration techniques of skeletal remains, the methodological/technique skills for 3D acquisition and digital reconstruction of the human remains for virtual restoration, ultimately obtaining 3D digital models useful for scientific analysis, 3D prototyping, enhancement and exhibition

Part 1 – Human evolution and archaeoanthropological remains: basic of human evolution; skeletal human remains; types of graves and burials; inhumation graves; incineration remains; elements of skeletal taphonomy and archaeology of death; techniques of excavation and recovery of the human remains; in situ observations, measurements; filling archaeoanthropological forms; skeletal and dental anatomy; determination of sex and estimation of age-at-death.

Part 2 – Materials biodeterioration: causative organisms and metabolic aspects causing material alterations; cellular organization: procaryotes and eucaryotes, the plant cell; main characteristics of anatomy, growth and reproduction of algae, fungi and land plants; colonization strategy and specific changes caused to the substrate; monitoring and possible prevention and control actions.

Part 3 – The restoration of human skeletal remains: sampling for genetic and isotope analysis; sediment removal; marking bones; restoring contacts between fragmented bones; measures taken to consolidate bones; integrating missing portions; documenting the restoration; 3D scan of bone fragments; point clouds alignment and construction of the 3D digital model (mesh); (micro)-CT image data segmentation/visualization and surface (mesh) generation; software for post-processing of the mesh (cleaning, healing defects and mesh optimization); alignment of the 3D digital models of the bone fragments for virtual restoration; virtual reconstruction of missing portions.

Readings/Bibliography

Slides of the lessons

S. Minozzi, A. Canci. Archeologia dei resti umani. Dallo scavo al laboratorio. Carocci ed., Roma, 2015.

Benazzi S, Gruppioni G. Antropologia virtuale. Mallegni F., Lippi B., editors. NON OMNIS MORIAR. CISU, Roma, 2009, pp. 425-460.

Caneva G, Nugari MP, Salvadori O. Plant Biology for Cultural Heritage: Biodeterioration and Conservation. The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 2008.

Teaching methods

The course is based on lectures dealing with the program’s topics, coupled with practical training in the laboratory of physical anthropology for the restoration of human skeletal remains, as well as lectures/training in digital restoration using suitable computer programs.

Assessment methods

Student evaluation consists of a practical test for the restoration of human remains (using both traditional and digital methods), and an oral exam on the entire course program. The student must show that he/she has acquired adequate general and systematic knowledge of the various topics and has mastered the scientific and methodological tools necessary for the restoration of the human skeletal remains.

Teaching tools

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, among which 3D scanner and software for post-processing, segmentation and visualization of 3D image data. Botany laboratory activity comprises wall surface sampling, growth tests on culture media, microscope and live organisms observations.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Benazzi

See the website of Gregorio Oxilia

See the website of Rossella Pistocchi