13157 - Archaeological Research Methodology (1)

Academic Year 2014/2015

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Arts (cod. 0958)

Learning outcomes

After completing this course the student has the basic information to understand the complexity of modern archaeological research, referring to the most current strategies of stratigraphic excavation, preliminary survey and analysis planning, scientific analysis that contribute to the reconstruction of the past.

Course contents

Theory, Tecniques and Methods.

1) The complexity of archaeological research:

  • From the documents, to the survey and the excavation: a short story
  • Methodologies of fieldwork (survey and excavation), finds analysis, data processing
  • The methods of archaeological mapping: aerial photos and cartography
  • Data dissemination: scientific publishing and communication

Research Fields:
  • Landscape Archaeology and Environnement Archaeology
  • Architectural and Urban Archaeology
  • Archaeology of Production
  • Experimental Archaeology and Ethnoarchaeology

Archaeology and Science:

  • Archaeometry, Bioarchaeology, Archaeogenetic
  • Geophysical Methods and Geomorphology

The Archaeological Theory:

  • Processual and Post-processual Archaeology: their development in the interpretation of the archaeological record

Communication in Archaeology:

  • Increase (conservation, protection, communication), and Public Archaeology

An outline of the Cultural Heritage Laws:

  • The "Preventive Archaeology" and the professional jobs





Readings/Bibliography

Compulsory reading:
A. CARANDINI, Storie dalla terra. Manuale di scavo archeologico, Torino 1996
D. MANACORDA, Lezioni di Archeologia, Roma-Bari 2008; or: C. RENFREW, P. BAHN, Archaeology: theory, methods, practice, London 1994

Optional reading:

Ph. BARKER, Tecniques of archaeological excavation, London 1977
E.C. HARRIS, Principles of  archaeological stratigraphy, London 1981
A GUIDI, I metodi dell'archeologia, Roma-Bari 1994
S. PALLECCHI, Archeologia delle tracce, Roma 2008

M.O.H. CARVER, Archaeological Investigation, London 12009
M. MEDRI, Manuale di rilievo archeologico, Bari 2003
F. CAMBI, Manuale di archeologia dei paesaggi, Roma 2011
A. BOATO, L'archeologia in architettura: misurazioni, stratigrafie, datazioni, restauro, Venezia 2008
S. BELTRAMO, Stratigrafia dell'architettura e ricerca storica, Roma 2009

G.P. BROGIOLO, A. CAGNANA, Archeologia dell'architettura, Firenze 2012
M.T. GUAITOLI (ed.), "Emergenza sostenibile. Metodi e strategie per l'archeologia urbana. Atti della giornata di studio, Bologna 23 marzo 2009", "I Cardini di Groma" 2, Bologna 2010
T. MANNONI, E. GIANNICHEDDA, Archeologia della produzione, Torino 1996 (or: E. GIANNICHEDDA, Uomini e cose: appunti di archeologia, Bari 2006)
M. VIDALE, Ceramica e archeologia, Roma 2007
J. COLES, Experimental Archaeology, London 1979
M. VIDALE, Che cos'è l'etnoarcheologia, Roma 2004
G. DI PASQUALE, Che cos'è l'archeobotanica, Roma 2011
A. CONCI, S. MINOZZI, Archeologia dei resti umani. Dallo scavo al laboratorio, Roma 2007
N. LANERI, Archeologia della morte, Roma 2011
E. GIANNICHEDDA, Archeologia teorica, Roma
D. MANACORDA, Il sito archeologico fra ricerca e valorizzazione, Roma 2007
M.O.H. CARVER, Making archaeology happen: design versus dogma, London 2011 

The each subjects are look up in:

R. FRANCOVICH, D. MANACORDA (eds.), Dizionario di Archeologia. Temi,concetti e metodi, Roma-Bari 2000

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

All texts to suggest, are available in the library of the Department of the History and Cultures -DiSCi - Archaeology Section

Teaching methods

Conventional Lessons, seminars, workshop and Laboratory activities. Laboratory activities, related to the archaeological finds, are suggested, to acquire skills

Assessment methods

Oral examination-test, for evaluation of the degree of theoretical knowlewdge and critical talent in the discipline . This usually consists of questions, some  pertaining to  the overview lecture part and reading,  and others related to specific topics examined in the course. The examination is intended to assess the level of knowledge and understanding gained by  students.

Teaching tools

To use during the lessons: video-projector, presentation  (PP), and laboratory equipment; presentation (PP) is at students disposisional.

Links to further information

http://www.storia-culture-civiltà.unibo.it/it/dipartimento/organizzazione/sezioni/sezione-archeologia

Office hours

See the website of Maria Teresa Guaitoli