OVERVIEW

Within modern Archaeology studies, plant remains are an important source of information, as they can greatly improve our knowledge about the environment in which human activities were carried out in the past and the availability and management of environmental resources. Archaeobotany studies microscopic and macroscopic plant remains that have been preserved in favorable conditions, both in archaeological sites (on site) and outside of settlements (off site).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purpose of the course is to show the criteria and methods of studying plant remains useful for the knowledge of the environmental characteristics of the past and for the history of plant resources. Moreover, it provides the basis for knowledge of the relationships between plants and human cultures.

TEACHING METHODS

 Frontal lessons are given, for a number of  hours equivalent to 5.5 CFU  and practical laboratory exercises  (0.5 CFU) are carried out on the recognition and taxonomic attribution of micro-remains (pollen and spores) and charcoal remains (anthracology).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Teaching program

Definition of the matter of study; brief history of Archaeobotany; ecology as a constant reference; plant remnants as evidence of paleo-environments and human activities; sedimentation processes (taphonomy); preservation of plant remains; general sampling criteria; environmental archaeology; the archaeobotanical disciplines.
Palinology: Pollen and Spores: Nature, Morphology, Identification, Preservation, Sampling, Extraction, Pollen Analysis, Specimen Characteristics and Interpretation of pollen spectra and diagrams, Relationships between Pollen Deposition and Vegetation, Human Activity Indicators.
Xylology and Dendrology: Principles and Applications; Identification of wood on anatomical bases; Applications in archaeology, dendrochronology, dendroclimatology and radiocarbon age calibration.
Anthracology: charcoal: nature, characteristics, archaeological interest; taxonomic identification on anatomical bases; Sampling in different contexts; Anthracological analysis: the origin of charcoal and its meaning;  anthracological spectra and diagrams.
Carpology: seeds, fruits and other macroremains; sampling and extraction; flotation; identification; Interpretation of results (ecology, nutrition, agriculture, trade).
Fitoliths: nature and characteristics; extraction and identification; paleoenvironmental and palethnobotanic meaning.
Current flora and vegetation as sources for the environmental history: evidence of the use of plant resources in living species and plant communities.
Case studies of archaeobotany and of environmental archaeology: anthraology in medieval sites of northern Italy; the production of charcoal; the charcoal burning sites.
Other information: the course includes some practical exercises regarding the topics dealt with and sometimes also seminars organized by LASA. Further information and bibliographical details will be provided during the lessons. The presentations used for the lessons are available at the Aulaweb web site of the Humanities School.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Caneva G. (Ed.), 2005 – La Biologia vegetale per i Beni culturali. Vol. II. Conoscenza e valorizzazione (capitoli I, III,VIII, X). Nardini Editore. Firenze.
- Arobba D. e Caramiello R. (a cura di), 2003 – Manuale di Archeobotanica. Franco Angeli Editore. Milano.
- Bourquin-Mignot C., Brochier J.E., Chabal L.- Crozat S., Fabre L., Guibal F., Marinval P., Richard H., Terral J.-F., Rhery I., 1999 – La Botanique. Collection “Archeologiques”. Editions Errance. Paris.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CARLO ALESSANDRO MONTANARI (President)

MARIA ANGELA GUIDO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

october 2017

Class schedule

ARCHAEOBOTANY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test during which the learning of the topics provided by the course is ascertained

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment of the knowledge essential for the student's preparation to be considered adequate is through a series of questions throughout the core topics of the course program

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

The frequentation of lessons and exercises is strongly recommended, especially considering that the subjects of the course are not among those at least partially known to students in the humanities area and may be difficult to understand without adequate explanations such as those given during the lessons, through images, examples and case studies