Archaeological Materials - 1st semester

Objectives

1. Understanding of ecofact and artifact concepts, their contexts and importance of each one for the characterisation of Human societies.
2. Understanding of preservation, record and inventory of crucial features. Microscope analysis and other methods for the characterisation od assemblages.
3. Acquiring of basic knowledge in order to distinguish raw materials and their processes of production and transformation, namely their operatory chains and applied technologies.

General characterization

Code

711051087

Credits

3

Responsible teacher

Docente a definir

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - Available soon

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

Not applicable

Bibliography

BOAVENTURA; R., ed. (2003) - Conservar em Arqueologia. Porto: APA-Associação Profissional de Arqueólogos.
CARO, A. (2002) – Ensayo sobre cerâmica en Arqueología. Sevilla: Ed. Agrija.
ORTON, C.; TYERS, P.; VINCE, A. (1987) - Pottery in Archaeology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
RICE, P. M. (1987) - Pottery analysis. A sourcebook. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
TIXIER, J.; INIZAN, M.-L.; ROCHE, H. (1980) - Préhistoire de la pierre taillée. Vol. I (Terminologie et technologie). Antibes: Cercle de Recherches et d´Études Préhistorique.
CAMPS, G. (1979) - Manuel de Recherche Préhistorique. Paris: Doin Éditeurs,.
SHEPARD, A.O. (1956) - Ceramics for the Archaeologist. Washington: Carnegie Institution of Washington (Publication; 609).

Teaching method

In class teaching

Evaluation method

Written test (in class): 50%
Written test (in class): 50%

Subject matter

1. Introduction
2. Lithics
2.1. Lithics´ use
2.2. Technological analysis
2.2.1. Basic terminology
2.2.2. \"Operatory chain\" definition
2.3. Reassemblage, reconstitution and experimental debitage.
2.4. Typological analysis
2.5. Raw materials origins
3.3 Introduction to the Basic Geology and Archaeometric analysis of ceramics with binocular lens.
3.1. Main rocks and formation processes.
3.2. Main minerals and their relation to archaeological clays and fabrics.
4. Ceramics
4.1. Technologcial analysis - materials, fabrics, firings, surface treatments
4.2. Typological analysis - forms, gripping features, decorations
5. Other archaeological materials
5.1. Metals. Technologies and typologies
5.2. Other artifactual classes.
5.2.1. Raw materials from animal origin
5.2.2. Glass and terracota
5.3. Ecofatcs
5.3.1. Animal and Human rests
5.3.2. Charcoal and vegetal macro-rests
6. Basic notions of inventory, preservation and restoration of archaeological materials.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: