Ateneo - UPO

Fundamentals of archaeological research methodology

Attending students:
1) "Appunti del corso" and
2) C. Renfrew, P. Bahn, "L'essenziale di archeologia. Teoria, metodi, pratiche", seconda edizione italiana condotta sulla terza inglese, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2016: capitoli 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8.
3) D. Manacorda, "Il sito archeologico: fra ricerca e valorizzazione", Roma, Carocci, sesta ristampa della prima edizione, 2014, capitoli 4 e 5.

Non attending students:
1) Appunti del corso and image folders (on DIR)
2) C. Renfrew, P. Bahn, "L'essenziale di archeologia. Teoria, metodi, pratiche", seconda edizione italiana condotta sulla terza inglese, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2016: capitoli 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8.
3) D. Manacorda, "Il sito archeologico: fra ricerca e valorizzazione", Roma, Carocci, sesta ristampa della prima edizione, 2014, integrale.
4) D. Manacorda, "Prima lezione di archeologia", Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2004.

The course aims, at a basic level, to transfer to the student:
- the fundamental knowledge related to the history of archaeology, to the methodologies of excavation and data processing and interpretation, to the building archaeology of architecture, to the problems of conservation and enhancement of archaeological evidence;
- the ability to frame the main methods of approach to material evidence (excavation, architecture, landscapes) dealt with during the course, as well as to correctly identify sites and artefacts;
- the ability to analyse these methods and perspectives of analysis of the archaeological data and to summarise, with clarity of exposition, the state of knowledge on a given topic.

At a more advanced level, the aim of the course is to acquire:
- and in-depth knowledge of the dating methods and of documentation of the archaeological record;
- the ability to place the development of the most widespread methodologies used in archaeology in the broader historical, cultural and technological context in which they have emerged;
- the ability to express critical judgments on the themes and methods discussed, also as the result of a personal re-elaboration; to illustrate the required contents through a fluent and precise, using the specific terminology.

In order to develop a whole comprehension of the arguments and to pass the exam, a basic knowledge of history, acquired as usually expected in the secondary school , is strongly requested, in order to frame the topics illustrated during the course in a right chronological and historical context .

Lectures, study visits to museums and sites (if possible, according to the safety regulations in force to combat the spread of Covid-19), individual study. The study visits are functional to the application of the acquired knowledge, through direct contact with sites and artefacts. Supporting materials prepared by the teacher (handouts) and all images of sites and artefacts on which the course focuses are available on the DIR platform. Non-attending students must also refer to these materials.
The texts include differentiated materials: the handouts and the related images are an accurate support to the course, resuming in written form what has been illustrated in the lessons; the texts indicated in the bibliography are materials for the scientific community, which are useful to the student to deepen specific issues, but also to compare with the specialised literature, analyse and recognize the argumentative process, identify contexts of application of disciplinary terminology, in order to achieve the objectives of the course at a more advanced level.
During the lessons there will be moments of collective discussion on the topics dealt with, in order to facilitate, through the direct involvement of the students, the recognition of the main themes, the critical reflection and the acquisition of adequate presentation methods.
During the lessons, the teacher will also focus on the specific terminology used for the individual topics dealt with, in order to facilitate correct understanding and assimilation.

The course substitutes Metodologies of the Archaeological reserarch 1 and Post-classical archaeology 1. Thus, the treated case study will mainly deal with sites and artefacts of this period, in order to equally provide some elements of that discipline. The course is also offered for the Master's Degree Programme in Filologia e Patrimonio Culturale. Those who have already taken it during their three-year degree programme are kindly requested to contact the teacher. Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/servicesstudents- physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam consists of an oral examination that will focus on the following points: 1) verification of the knowledge acquired regarding the topics addressed during the course, in relation to the methodologies of archaeological research (question such as: "what are the basic principles of stratigraphy?"); 2) verification of the ability to apply the knowledge acquired and their understanding, through the ability to transfer the different methods of investigation to a given site or context (question such as: "what are the methods of investigation applicable to sites that cannot be excavated in extension? "3) verification of the ability to express judgements on the topics dealt with, by means of a critical evaluation of the historiographic positions analysed and of the bibliography provided in the programme (question like: "what are the limits and potentialities demonstrated by box grid excavation?"); 4) verification of the ability to effectively communicate the notions learnt and to synthesise complex problems, focusing on the most relevant themes (question like: "what are the main trends linked to the enhancement of archaeological sites at present?"). The candidate's answers, both in terms of contents and formulation, will also make it possible to assess the effectiveness of the study carried out and the correct organisation of the work, particularly on an individual basis.
The exam consists of at least 3 questions (depending on the type of answer given by the candidate, more or less exhaustive for the purposes of correct and complete verification of the knowledge and skills acquired). The discussion will include the recognition and critical commentary of images relating to methods/sites/contexts/manufactures analysed during the course.
The grade is expressed in thirtieths and the assessment is made according to the following parameters:
1) Knowledge and understanding of the main concepts and contexts covered and clarity of exposition: 18 points out of 30 (sufficiency);
2) Ability to recognise and comment on the images proposed, with appropriate historical-archaeological and historiographical contextualisation: 6 points out of 30;
3) ability to independently establish thematic and/or methodological links and to use the terminology of the subject: 6 out of 30 points.

The course aims at providing basic knowledge on methods of archaeology, scientific approaches and fields of application. • Learning unit 1: History of archaeology • Learning unit 2: remote sensing and geophisycal prospections • Learning unit 3: fundamentals of stratigraphy • Learning unit 4: excavation, its documentation and post-excavation analysis • Learning unit 5: absolute and relative chronology, datation methods • Leaning unit 6: elements of archaeometry • Learning unit 7: urban and building archaeology • Learning unit 8: funerary archaeology Integration of the gender dimension In learning unit 1, the role of women in the development of modern archaeology will be discussed.

In order to attain the knowledge and skills corresponding to the basic level, the student is asked to demonstrate to:
- (knowledge and understanding): to have acquired the fundamental knowledge related to the history of archaeology, to the main methods with which it is practiced, and in general to all the contents of the course;
- (ability to apply knowledge and understanding): to be able to recognise, through the images shown in the exam, the site/ artefact and to provide a commentary that highlights its characteristics and specificity, with a correct chronology;
- (autonomy of judgement): to be able to discuss the main excavation methods used over time, pointing out their limits and potential, up to the stratigraphic method;
- (communication skills): to be able to present, with a clear formulation, relevant considerations on the main approaches to archaeological data;
- (learning ability): to know how to use the methodological tools provided in the lessons (for those attending) and by using the handouts on DIR and the essays included in the bibliography of the exam (for all), in order to identify the fundamental key themes of the discipline.
In order to achieve an advanced level, the student must demonstrate:
- (knowledge and understanding): have an in-depth knowledge of all the topics, methodologies and contexts dealt with;
- (applying knowledge and understanding): to be able to highlight, in front of a given context, the most appropriate methodologies for archaeological investigation and the possible correct sequence of their application;
- (making judgments): to be able to discuss the different methods of analysis and study of the archaeological evidence, related to the contexts of excavation, archaeology of elevations and archaeology of landscapes, identifying their limits/potentialities and demonstrating to have fully understood their specificities;
- (communication skills): to organise coherently and organically the presentation of the required topic, demonstrating the ability to synthesise; to explain the contents with the appropriate terminology, including the specialistic one;
- (learning skills): to be able to making connections independently, for example between various enhancement paths, and to develop personal deepening.