2025
Introduction to Archaeometry
Name: Introduction to Archaeometry
Code: QUI12042L
3 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours
Scientific Area:
Chemistry
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Archaeometryrepresentsthe interface betweenarchaeologyandthephysicaland natural sciences.
Itisaninterdisciplinaryfieldthatrequirescollaborationbetweenarchaeologistsandscientiststhatapplymodernanalyticaltechniques
to obtainstructuralandcompositionalinformation of archaeologicalmaterials. Itsapplications range fromfieldwork to
conservationproblems of musealizedobjectsormonumentsandsites, includingreconstructionpaleodiets, provenance of
artifacts, dating, prospectionandauthentication.
Theaim of thecourseis to equipstudentswiththe basic theoreticalandpracticalknowledge of thedifferenttypes of
scientifictechniquesused for thecharacterization of archaeologicalmaterials. In particular, thefocus of theunitwouldbe to
formstudentsable to applythecorrect problemsolving analyticalapproach (What-How-When-What for?) and to
provideanswers to specificquestionsarisingduringthestudy of archaeomaterialsandarchaeologicalsites.
Itisaninterdisciplinaryfieldthatrequirescollaborationbetweenarchaeologistsandscientiststhatapplymodernanalyticaltechniques
to obtainstructuralandcompositionalinformation of archaeologicalmaterials. Itsapplications range fromfieldwork to
conservationproblems of musealizedobjectsormonumentsandsites, includingreconstructionpaleodiets, provenance of
artifacts, dating, prospectionandauthentication.
Theaim of thecourseis to equipstudentswiththe basic theoreticalandpracticalknowledge of thedifferenttypes of
scientifictechniquesused for thecharacterization of archaeologicalmaterials. In particular, thefocus of theunitwouldbe to
formstudentsable to applythecorrect problemsolving analyticalapproach (What-How-When-What for?) and to
provideanswers to specificquestionsarisingduringthestudy of archaeomaterialsandarchaeologicalsites.
Contents
Principles of Archaeometric Analysis:
Destructive, microdestructive and non destructive analysis. Sampling and sample preparation. Analytical accuracy,
precision, resolution and sensitivity. Provenance of raw materials, dating, identification of production techniques and
centers, identification of commercial routes in the Antiquity; Identification of fakes and forgeries. Data treatment.
Chemical. Molecular and Mineralogical analysis of Archaeomaterials. Basic Principles of light, electrons, protons, X-rays,
interaction with matter. Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with microanalysis; X-ray Diffraction ; X-ray
Fluorescence Spectroscopy; Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy ; micro-Raman Spectroscopy; Liquid and Gas
Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. Thermogravimetric Analysis; DNA isolation, amplification and sequencing.
Techniques used for Dating archaeomaterials: Thermoluminescence; dendrochronology; Isotopic Techniques: 14C, Aminoacid
racemization.
Destructive, microdestructive and non destructive analysis. Sampling and sample preparation. Analytical accuracy,
precision, resolution and sensitivity. Provenance of raw materials, dating, identification of production techniques and
centers, identification of commercial routes in the Antiquity; Identification of fakes and forgeries. Data treatment.
Chemical. Molecular and Mineralogical analysis of Archaeomaterials. Basic Principles of light, electrons, protons, X-rays,
interaction with matter. Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with microanalysis; X-ray Diffraction ; X-ray
Fluorescence Spectroscopy; Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy ; micro-Raman Spectroscopy; Liquid and Gas
Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. Thermogravimetric Analysis; DNA isolation, amplification and sequencing.
Techniques used for Dating archaeomaterials: Thermoluminescence; dendrochronology; Isotopic Techniques: 14C, Aminoacid
racemization.
Teaching Methods
Teaching for the course is through formal lectures, seminars, artefact handling sessions, and laboratory practices. The
lectures, seminars and practical sessions will largely be conducted by Évora University staff, with the addition of occasional
guest speakers.Practical Laboratory work will be carried out using the instrumental facilities available at the HERCULES
Laboratory (HERançaCULturalEStudos e Salvaguarda) of the University of Evora
Grades will be based on quizzes (40%), laboratory exercises (25%); a term paper (30%); and an oral presentation of the term
paper topic (5%).
lectures, seminars and practical sessions will largely be conducted by Évora University staff, with the addition of occasional
guest speakers.Practical Laboratory work will be carried out using the instrumental facilities available at the HERCULES
Laboratory (HERançaCULturalEStudos e Salvaguarda) of the University of Evora
Grades will be based on quizzes (40%), laboratory exercises (25%); a term paper (30%); and an oral presentation of the term
paper topic (5%).
Certificações
