Admission requirements
Admission to the RMA-programme in Archaeology.
Description
The research seminar for the Tranformation of the Roman World research master deals with a different topic each year. In the past 2 years we focused on the import of exotic objects in northern Merovingian Gaul and the analysis of ‘privileged (rich) burials’.
This year we will focus on the growing importance of scientific analyses in the research of Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. A broad spectrum of scientific techniques have been developed and are applied by now. Well known are the study of ancient DNA (aDNA), isotopes and a series of scientific analyses to study material culture, more specifically pottery, glass, garnets and metals. It is of course crucial that these techniques are applied in such a way that they can contribute to the debates on the transformation of the Roman world. The formulation of research questions is thus of great importance as well as knowledge about the possibilities of scientific research. This can only brought about by a mutual understanding of research questions, research traditions and the possibilities and limitations of scientific research by archaeologists and (archaeological) scientists.
In this research seminar we will focus on the scientific research of pottery and glass, which are the most common category of finds on late antique/early medieval sites. We will learn about research questions posed by archaeologists who are interested in cultural processes in the past as well as by scientific-oriented scholars.
You will also learn and practice various methods of scientific research of pottery and glass. And you will practice your skills on the pottery and glass collection of the 7th century riverine settlement of Oegstgeest (Netherlands). Your skills are of course applicable to other types of pottery from other periods.
We will cooperate with the chairgroup Material Culture Research. In the first semester the English language course will be presented by dr. Line van Wersch from the University of Louvain-La-Neuve. She will introduce you to the basics of scientific research of pottery and glass, and will explain the appropriate techniques, which you have to practice afterwards.
You will visit the ceramic collection at the University of Louvain-la-Neuve and the laboratory of the University of Liège, both in Belgium (transport will be provided).
In the second semester the course will be presented by prof. dr. F. Theuws in cooperation with dr. Line van Wersch. You will deepen our insights in the type of research questions related to scientific research of pottery and glass. You will define a research project related to the study of the glass and pottery of Oegstgeest, start the analyses of the Oegstgeest material and carry out the research you defined.
Guest lectures will deal with specific topics.
Course objectives
The course will contribute to the qualifications of a research master as formulated by the Faculty of Archaeology (see the document provided on BlackBoard). More specifically this course contributes to domains A1 and A2, B1, C2, C3, E1-E8.
The main course objectives are:
Developing the ability of critical assessment of current research on this topic;
Expanding on the knowledge of material culture of the late Roman and early medieval periods;
Developing theoretical knowledge related to the analysis of pottery and glass (production exchange etc.);
Developing skills in argumentation and reasoning;
Developing skills in presentation of research (writing and presentation);
Developing teamwork skills.
Timetable
Course schedule details can be found in the RMA time schedule.
Mode of instruction
Seminar, in which the results of group members will be presented and discussed. There will also be staff presentations on specific topics.
Course load
The course load will be distributed as follows:
Classes, workshops, laboratory work (5 ects);
Literature (3 ects);
Assignments (2 ects).
Assessment method
Essay and deliverables (essay, databases, reports etc.) (80%);
Participation (20 %).
All assessment deadlines (exams, retakes, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the examination schedule.
Reading list
A reading list will be distributed during the first meeting.
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 prof. dr. F.C.W.J. Theuws.