Materials and Techniques of Antiquity, Archeometrics and Archaeology of Buildings

larke1230  2019-2020  Louvain-la-Neuve

Materials and Techniques of Antiquity, Archeometrics and Archaeology of Buildings
Note from June 29, 2020
Although we do not yet know how long the social distancing related to the Covid-19 pandemic will last, and regardless of the changes that had to be made in the evaluation of the June 2020 session in relation to what is provided for in this learning unit description, new learnig unit evaluation methods may still be adopted by the teachers; details of these methods have been - or will be - communicated to the students by the teachers, as soon as possible.
5 credits
30.0 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Driessen Jan; Verslype Laurent;
Language
French
Main themes
This course introduces students to the raw materials used in material and artistic production in ancient times and to the technological processes used to create them. Use is made of archaeological sources (relics, objects, tools and iconography) and ancient writers. The course is intended to help students understand the terminology used in Antiquity and the working environment of its artists and artisans. Emphasis is also placed on the social repercussions of new technologies on the societies that created them. Students are also taught the basics of Archaeometry and of building archaeology.
Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 The aim of this course is to teach students the fundamentals of the practical techniques used in Antiquity on different raw materials such as stone, clay and metal and also about the tools and processes that were used to change the original appearance of these raw materials. The course also raises the issue of the physical effects of technology on cultures and societies, examining technology as social production. Students are also taught the basics of Archaeometry and of building archaeology.
 

The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.
Content
This course teaches students to identify the materials, tools and physical evidence of the initial phase of the creative cycle and to understand the sequence of events leading to the finished product, both archaeological remains and major works of art. The course also introduces the basic tenets of Archaeometry and discusses the contribution of studies carried out by science laboratories to the field of Archaeology, in particular the Natural and Earth Sciences and characterization and dating techniques. As part of the introduction to archeometry, a more practice-based approach will be fostered. Further will be studied built structures or vestiges which depend on methods and problematics based on the technical observation of the materials used, worked and assembled, and styles. Several field trips and visits of laboratory that might vary on a yearly basis will hence be organized and will constitute mandatory teaching activities.
Teaching methods
Class with PowerPoint, visits.
Evaluation methods
Oral exams, abstract of readings and visits.
Bibliography
Liste bibliographique fournie par les enseignants.
Faculty or entity
ARKE


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Bachelor in History of Art and Archaeology : General

Minor in History of Art and Archeology