The course introduces the main archaeological research methods applied to the study of material culture. Students will acquire the theoretical and practical foundations to understand the analytical and interpretive approaches to archaeological artefacts, with particular attention to multidisciplinary perspectives.
The main classes of materials will be presented: ceramics and clay artefacts, metals, glass, pigments, stone materials, and organic remains. The course provides an introduction to archaeological and archaeometric methods used to study production techniques, processes of circulation and use, and dating of artefacts.
Conceptual tools for interpreting material culture as an indicator of cultural interaction, trade, economic and social organisation, as well as symbolic and ideological expression, will be discussed.
The relationship between humans and environment will be illustrated through examples concerning the use of raw materials in production processes and the application of archaeometric methods to organic remains from archaeological contexts.
Finally, examples of sampling practices and case studies from different chronological, historical, and geographical contexts will be presented.