Prospectus

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Laboratory work (Material Culture Studies)

Course
2015-2016

Admission requirements

Admission to the MSc-programme Material Culture Studies (only first specialisation).

Description

Blocks 1 and 3: formal lectures on the 4 specialisations possible within the MSc Material Culture Studies:
1) technological, microwear and residue studies by means of microscopy (van Gijn)
2) ceramic petrography and technology (Braekmans and Jacobs)
3) röntgen-based materials science (Braekmans)
4) experimental archaeology (van Gijn)
5) practical sessions on different categories of material culture (technology, description and techno-morphological analysis of artefacts): ceramics
6) same: stone
7) same: organic materials

Blocks 2 and 4:
Tutorials will give students the basic knowledge and skills to carry out the analytical work for their thesis topic.
1) The microscopic study of objects reveals traces of manufacturing, use and treatment of objects that are not visible with the naked eye. Students will learn to use stereomicroscopes, incident light microscopy and transmitted light microscopes to distinguish these traces and residue, using the extensive reference collection of experimentally used objects made of stone, bone, coral, shell and other raw materials.
2) The ceramic petrography course introduces students to the methodology and application of thin section petrography of archaeological pottery. By using principles of optical mineralogy and petrology, archaeological ceramic petrography focuses on provenance issues as well as on the reconstruction of ancient artisanal technology.
3) Analysis of material objects by X-ray equipment provides high resolution chemical composition data which can disclose macroscopically hidden information. This technique can be applied on various inorganic materials for characterization and provenance applications.
4) Experimental archaeology is crucial for a better understanding of object biographies. By carrying out experiments in a scientific context, various hypotheses about the production, treatment and use of materials can be tested. Use can be made of the experimental center at Huize Horsterwold (a reconstruction of a Stone Age house), the Laboratory for Material Culture Studies in Leiden and facilities of Materials Sciences at Delft University.

Course objectives

  • Ability to use and understand some of the analytical tools used for the description and technological analysis of a range of artefacts;

  • Familiarity with analytical laboratory techniques to obtain detailed information about artefact biographies.

Mode of instruction

  • Formal lectures;

  • Practical training in artefact analysis and description (round the table);

  • Individual or small-group tutorials in the laboratory.

Course load

The course load will be distributed as follows:

  • 14 hours of lectures (1 ects);

  • Laboratory work (3 ects);

  • 140 pages of literature (1 ects).

Assessment method

  • Exam on the content of the lectures (25%);

  • Test on description of artefacts (25%);

  • The lab and practical work of blocks 2 and 4 will have to lead to a formal laboratory report, including a critical evaluation of the methodology employed (50%).

Exam dates can be found in the exam schedule.

Reading list

To be announced.

Registration

Registration for the course is not necessary, registration for the exam is mandatory. For instructions, see the Registration in uSis page.

Contact

For more information about this course, please contact mw prof. dr A.L. van Gijn.

Remarks

Compulsory attendance, obligatory course for 1st specialisation MSc-students in Material Culture Studies.