The course gives an overview of the techniques and methods that are most used in the analysis of Cultural goods with different aims: diagnostics, microanalysis and dating. During the course the physical principles at the basis of these techniques will be outlined with particular attention to the description of the relative advantages/disadvantages as a function of the find/piece of work being analysed.
The teaching objectives of the “Archaeometry” course are acquiring basic physical knowledge of methods relating to the dating of ancient objects, analysis of objects of artistic interest and diagnostics for conservation and restoration.
The teaching objectives of the “Archaeometry” course are acquiring basic physical knowledge of methods relating to the dating of ancient objects, analysis of objects of artistic interest and diagnostics for conservation and restoration. At the end of the course students will have the necessary knowledge to be able to autonomously identify the technique to adopt as a function of the information being sought and the characteristics of the find/piece of work being analysed (composition, size etc).
The course will be given with lectures in the lecture theatre with the use of presentations. Parallel to the course students can avail of the course material (notes, multimedia material including some software) which will be made available on Aulaweb.
EXAMS
Written exam, 2 hours.
Programme for students taking the course for 6 cfu
Contents a) Diagnostic methods: photos, digital analysis of images, microphotography, grazing light photography, UV photos (black light), infra-red photos with false colour, reflectography, UV and IR spectroscopy, elements of colorimetry, structured light, thermography. X and gamma tomography. X Radiography.
b) Microanalysis methods: x ray fluorescence, electronic microscopy and SPM, optical and stratigraphical microscopy, PIXE and PIGE.
c) Dating methods: general aspects, absolute and relative dating, dating using natural phenomena and isotopes, dating using thermoluminescence and optically stimulated luminescence, archaeomagnetism. Dating using ultra-sensitive mass spectrometer.
DARIO MASSABO' (President)
PAOLO PRATI (President)
SILVIA VICINI
ARCHAEOMETRY
The exam consists of a written exam with 16 open-ended questions (two points for each correct answer) on the topics covered during lectures. Students can consult their textbooks and their notes.
