Among the main research themes there are Greek (Attic, in particular) and South Italian pottery, studied according to various points of view: production, diffusion and reception.
The traditional aspects of the studying for these materials (chronology, attribution, shapes and iconography) are accompanied by the analysis of trade and historical, social, cultural phenomena linked to vase circulation.
The preferential investigation perspective is the reception and re-functioning of pottery in different cultural and usage (living, funerary and sacred) contests.
A further research theme is related to Greek pottery imagery. Among the investigated iconographies, Herakles holds a primary importance in the Attic vase production (end of VIIth - IVth centuries b.C.): 'project Herakes' is dedicated to the hero figure, involving many scholars and students afferent to the Department, with a number of graduation and specialization dissertations on this topic.
In the research of the latest few years, a relevant part concerns funerary archaeology with the studying of funerary complexes in Etrurian Po Valley (Marzabotto, Bologna, Spina) and Picenum (Numana, Montedoro di Scapezzano).
With regard to Numana, a studying and excavation project has been recently started on the necropoleis in Davanzali area (IXth -IInd century b.C.), in cooperation with Soprintendenza (SABAP) and the Museum Pole of Marche Region. The examination of funerary sets and necropoleis are topics for the final dissertations of Specialization and Second Cycle Degree programs, whereas some results have already been presented during international congresses.
Among recent research themes, there are Agrigento and particularly insula III of the so-called Hellenistic-Roman Quarter: the studying project and the new archaeological investigation of the area have been co-directed with colleagues of the Department (Director: Prof. G. Lepore). This mission involves scholars and students and it is a topic for a considerable number of dissertation for graduation and specialization, while early results have already been presented during recent international congresses.
For further information, see also: http://www.disci.unibo.it/it/ricerca/archeologia/missioni-archeologiche/missioni-archeologiche-in-italia/agrigento-ag/index.html
