Ateneo - UPO

Laboratory of Archaeology Topic: Studying excavation small finds: methods and sources for artefacts analysis

Ad mensam. Manufatti d'uso da contesti archeologici fra tarda antichità e Medioevo, a cura di S. Lusuardi Siena, Udine 1994. Not mandatory texts: L'archeologia della produzione a Roma (secoli V-XV), a cura di Alessandra Molinari, Riccardo Santangeli Valenzani e Lucrezia Spera, Bari, 2016. F. Zagari, Il metallo nel Medioevo: tecniche, strutture, manufatti, Roma 2005. Le travail des métaux dans les villes à la fin du Moyen Âge, a cura di N. Thomas, L. Saussus, D. Arribet-Deroin, M. Bompaire, Paris, 2024.

The course aims, at a basic level, to transfer to students the ability: • (knowledge and understanding): to know the main classes of materials found in archaeological excavation contexts• (making judgements): to express a general assessment of the main classes of artefacts and their information potential • (communication skills): to present the required content clearly and in an appropriate sequence • (learning skills): to independently identify, drawing on what has been learned during the meetings, the essential characteristics of the classes of artefacts most commonly found in archaeological contexts. At a more advanced level, students will acquire the ability: • (knowledge and understanding): to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the main classes of materials found in archaeological excavation contexts through specific case studies; • (ability to apply knowledge and understanding): to identify the specific characteristics of the classes presented during the lessons and be able to correctly place them in time and in their production context • (making judgements): to express accurate assessments of the studied materials, with reference to their context of production and chronological framework • (communication skills): to present the required contents in a clear manner, arguing the distinguishing features of the different classes of materials studied • (learning skills): learning, through meetings at University and individual study, the complexity of the interaction between theoretical concepts and practical applications in the study of archaeological artefacts

interest in the applied aspects of archaeological research methodologies

Seminar meetings at University and at Museums/Soprintendenza. The method adopted, due to the very nature of the Workshop, envisages constant interaction and broad involvement of the students. Some teaching materials useful for the conduct of the Workshop will be made available on DIR.

Dates: Vercelli, 13 October 2025, 2.30-4.30 p.m.; Novara, at the Soprintendenza: 27 and 29 October 2025, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit DIR for further information. The Laboratory, aimed at undergraduate and master's degree students of “Lettere” and “Filologia e Patrimonio Culturale” and all interested students, is seminar-based and includes a practical activity; regular attendance is therefore highly recommended. The Laboratory is included in 'Further Activities'. Students whose study plan includes these activities in a year other than 2025-2026 may still follow the Laboratory in this academic year, acquiring the relative credits, by sending advance notice to the Student Secretariat. The Laboratory can also be used to obtain supernumerary credits, especially for those who wish to further their practical work in archaeology. The workshop will take place over and introductory lesson at University and two full days between October and November 2025. 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 Laboratory provides for a final assessment of suitability/non-suitability; suitability is achieved with an 80% pass mark. Students will be asked to submit a written report on the contents learned during the activity, between 10,000 and 12,000 characters in length, accompanied by appropriate iconographic apparatus. The judgement will be based on: knowledge of the topics covered (30%); ability to display what studentes have learned about the main types of artefacts found in archaeological contexts (40%); ability to structure the report clearly, organising the text organically (30%).

The workshop, tought as a seminar, aims to provide knowledge of some of the main types of artefacts found in archaeological contexts. In particular, we will analyse some main types of ceramics, soapstone and metals, discussing methods for determining their type, production contexts, chronological classification and other types of information (e.g. those concerning food practices in various historical periods). • teaching unit 1: introduction to the archaeology of production • teaching unit 2: analysis of some main classes of ceramic artefacts from the Roman to the Middle Ages: presentation of types, historical context • teaching unit 3: practical exercises in artefact drawing

In order to attain the knowledge and skills corresponding to the basic level, the student is asked: • (knowledge and understanding): to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the main classes of artefacts found in archaeological contexts; • (ability to apply knowledge and understanding): to know how to identify the main methods of studying materials found in archaeological contexts • (making judgements): to be able to evaluate, in relation to the investigated typolgies, the potential and limitations of the methods used to study and date the analysed materials • (communication skills): to demonstrate a basic level of presentation skills and knowledge of technical terminology relating to the artefacts in question (learning skills): to demonstrate a basic understanding of the fundamental principles underlying the methods used to study the materials in question In order to achieve an advanced level, students are requested: • (knowledge and understanding): to demonstrate precise knowledge of the implications that the study of materials can have for historical reconstruction in archaeology • (ability to apply knowledge and understanding): to be able to distinguish the specific characteristics of the different classes of materials discussed during the Laboratory and to recognise their potential for the overall understanding of an archaeological site • (making judgements): to be able to indicate the criteria used to choose between different methods for analysing archaeological artefacts • (communication skills): to demonstrate an accurate level of presentation and argumentation skills, developing a detailed analysis of the covered materials • (learning skills): to demonstrate that they have assimilated the key concepts, in terms of potential and limitations, related to the methods of studying the materials covered and correctly classify them as tools for understanding ancient societies. These learning outcomes are consistent with the provisions of the SUA of the Programme, framework A4.b2 (particularly for the Cultural Heritage Area)