LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching objectives of the “Archaeometry” course are to acquire basic physical knowledge of methods in relation to the dating of ancient objects, analysis of objects of artistic interest and diagnostics for conservation and restoration of objects. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

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 basic knowledge to autonomously identify the technique to choose, as a function of the information they're looking for.

PREREQUISITES

None

TEACHING METHODS

The course will be given with frontal lectures with the help 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.

Classes are held in presence. Attendance, although not compulsory, is recommended. The lecturer, at the specific request of a student (by e-mail), may allow him/her to follow classes remotely via “Teams” platform.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Programme for students taking the course for 6 cfu

Contents
a) Diagnostic methods: Digital photography, digital analysis of images, microphotography, grazing light photography, UV Reflectography, IR Reflectography, infra-red photos with false colour, UV and IR spectroscopy, elements of colorimetry, structured light, thermography, time of flight laser scanner. X and gamma tomography, ultrasonic 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.