2023

Introduction to Archaeometry

Name: Introduction to Archaeometry
Code: GEO13480M
12 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/312 hours
Scientific Area: Geology, Chemistry

Teaching languages: Portuguese, English
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

Learning Goals

The objective of the curricular unit “Introduction to Archaeometry” is to equip students with the basic theoretical and practical knowledge in: a) the chemical/mineralogical composition and nature of different types of archaeomaterials (ceramics, stone and mortars, pigments, organic residues, metals, glass, paper, textiles); b) the different types of advanced scientific techniques used in the characterization of archaeological materials. In particular, the focus of the unit would be to form students able to apply the correct “problem solving” analytical approach (“What-How-When-What for?”) and to provide answers to specific questions arising during the study of archaeomaterials and archaeological sites. The unit will include specialized seminars from invited scholars from the leading Institutions in the field.

Contents

Principles of Geochemical analyses of materials: major, minor and trace elements. Provenance of raw materials, identification of production techniques, identification of commercial routes in the Antiquity; Identification of fakes and forgeries. Introduction to statistical data treatment. Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with microanalysis (OM, SEM+EDS); X-ray Diffraction (XRD); X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF); Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR); micro-Raman Spectroscopy; Liquid and Gas Chromatography Mass Mass Spectrometry (LC-GC-MS); Differential Thermal Analysis and Thermogravimetric Analysis (DTA-TG): Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy.
Inorganic archaeomaterials. Ceramics and pottery. Lithics and ornamental stones -Mortars and cements. Inorganic Pigments. Sand and glass making. Gemstones.
Organic archaeomaterials – Wood, textiles, paper, plastics. Organic residues. Bones. Dyes & pigments. Resins.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical and Laboratory classes. Field work. Assignments. Teaching materials, including handouts, thematic websites and scientific articles will be distributed in and posted on a dedicated Moodle page. Evaluation methods: final examinations, written assignments with presentation in class

Teaching Staff

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