Compulsory attendance
Yes.
Admission requirements
Admission to the MSc-programme Material Culture Studies.
Description
The focus of this course lies on the various methods and techniques from exact sciences used to study the life history of artefacts. These analytical techniques are discussed and provide the tools for characterising and provenancing archaeological materials. Students are also familiarised with the advantages, pitfalls and practical implementation of microscopic and chemical techniques in scientific research.
The lectures will address the material properties and the analytical techniques (eg. XRF, NAA, XRD, etc.) used to provenance and characterise anorganic material remains (ceramics, paint and pigments, stone, metal).
Organic residues (i.e. lipids, fuel, etc.) will be another focus, discussing for instance their origin and methods to analyse (eg. chromatography).
Course objectives
Knowledge of and insight into the study of the life history of various categories of artefacts focusing on the various techniques and methodologies that are essential for such a study;
Knowledge of current microscopic and chemical techniques relevant in art and archaeology;
Knowledge of residue and provenance analyses of stone tools, metals and pottery.
Timetable
Course schedule details can be found in the MA time schedule.
Mode of instruction
Lectures.
Assessment method
Written examination (40%);
Paper (40%);
Presentation (20%).
Assessment deadline
All assessment deadlines (exams, retakes, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the examination schedule.
Reading list
Students are assumed to be familiar with the following source:
M. Pollard, C. Batt, B. Stern & S.M.M. Young, “Some Basic Chemistry for Archaeologists” (2007) in: Analytical Chemistry in Archaeology. Cambridge, pp. 215-320.
P. Degryse & D. Braekmans, “Elemental and Isotopic Analysis of Ancient Ceramics and Glass” (2014) in: H.D. Holland & K.K. Turekian (eds), Treatise on Geochemistry, 2nd edition, vol. 14, pp. 191-207. Oxford: Elsevier;
B. Sillar & M.S. Tite, “The Challenge of ‘Technological Choices’ for Materials Science Approaches in Archaeology” (2000) in: Archaeometry 42: 2-20;
Recently published articles, to be announced.
Registration
Register for this course via uSis.
Instructions for registration can be found in the uSis manual.
Contact information
For more information about this course, please contact dr. D.J.G. Braekmans.