OVERVIEW

Geoarchaeology is defined as the Earth Sciences contribution to the interpretation of archaeological contexts. In particular, the course takes into consideration the application aspects of sedimentology, pedology and geomorphology. The course provides investigation tools to reconstruct the archaeological sites formation processes  and to identify their relationships with paleo-environmental changes in the surrounding area.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Geoarchaeology course aims to equip students with the knowledge necessary to reconstruct the formation processes that are significant to defining the history of man and his relationship with the environment, and to identify the chronological moment in which these processes occurred.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendence and partecipation in training activities will allow the student to acquire the knowledge necessary to describe and interpret the startigraphy succession and the geomorphological context of an archaeological site. Specifically, the student will be able to:

•      know and describe the sediments properties useful for the interpretation of the sedimentary process and environment
•      recognize and describe a soil and use it in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction
•      to be able to distinguish the different morphogenetic environments and the associated landforms
•      knowing the investigation methods: thin section microscopy and reading of topographic maps

PREREQUISITES

No special knowledge is required. It is advised to have taken similar examinations such as "Methodologies of archaeological research", "Archeometry" or "Prehistory and Protohistory"

TEACHING METHODS

The course is divided into lectures conducted by the teacher in which the theory will be exposed by means of multimedia presentations, and a part of theoretical-practical laboratory and exercise on the field. The laboratory and the exercise on the filed will be held by the teaching professor, assisted by a laboratory tutor. The laboratory will allow students to observe and recognize the main pedogenetic and anthropogenetic figures useful for the reconstruction of soil and archaeological sites. In the exercise part on the field the students, with the support of the teacher and the tutor, will have to apply the methodologies proposed for the description of stratigraphic section. The laboratory lessons are held in classrooms equipped with polarizing microscopes in the Department of Earth Environment and Life Sciences.

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 and to view class recordings.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Programme for students taking the course for 6 cfu

Geoarchaeology: introductory elements - Sedimentology: characteristics of sediments, stratigraphy, sedimentary environments, processes of meteoric degradation - Pedology: soil constituents and profile, pedogenesis processes and factors - Quaternary studies and climatic changes - Paleopedology: paleosoils and loess - Study methods: micromorphology - Geomorphology: slopes and their modelling, fluvial morphology, coastal morphology, glacial and periglacial morphology, karst morphology, volcanic morphology, aeolioan morphology. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides used during the lessons and other educational material will be available on aul@web. In general, the notes taken during the lessons and the material in the aul@web are sufficient for the preparation of the exam.
The books below are suggested as supporting texts.

1. Reference text: Cremaschi M. (2000). Manuale di Geoarcheologia. Editori Laterza, Roma-Bari
2. Compendium for reading and geomorphological interpretation of topographic maps from: U. SAURO, M. MENEGHEL, A. BONDESAN, B. CASTIGLIONI (2005). Dalla carta topografica al paesaggio, Vicenza, ZetaBeta Editrice.
3. English text: Goldberg P. & Macphail R.I. (2006). Practical and theoretical Geoarcheology. Blackwell, 454 pp.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

IVANO RELLINI (President)

MARCO FERRARI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 27, 2024.

Class schedule

GEOARCHAEOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test with answers to questions asked by the teacher on topics of the course program. Please refer to the specific AulaWeb application for any updates due to changes in the health situation and Epidemiological.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam will mainly focus on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to assess the achievement of the appropriate level of knowledge, the ability to link different topics and the mastery of the subject in general. The ability to present the topics clearly and with correct terminology will also be evaluated.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Regular attendance at lectures and laboratory exercises is strongly recommended