Aims

The course of Roman Archaeology is based on a long-lasting tradition at the UCL, which resulted in numerous doctorates and publications. In these matters Italy takes up the first place and it is of importance to offer the students basic knowledge of topography, mural and floor decoration, ceramology, architecture. These Italian sites have all a " republican " part that should do to justify the emphasis put on this period in the teaching activities since the seventies. For the imperial period, one will insist on the desirable preparation of Belgian and French excavation sites in Syria, here with a particular interest for mosaic and mural painting, specialities for which the department's professors take place in international associations with their headquarter in France, where they can provide training practice.

Main themes

The magisterial courses of Roman Archaeology should contribute to the teaching of students who are expected to relief on the excavation sites that the UCL professors always have been operating in Italy, beginning with Alba Fucens (1949) till the current one of Taurianum (1999), these excavations require fellow workers, students and scientists, for the clearing, the recording and finally publication. Other areas (Gaul) and sites of other universities of the French Community are also open for our students. As far as the archaeology of the imperial provinces is concerned, the emphasis should be put on the decorative techniques such as mural painting and floor mosaic, specialities for which the department's professors take place in international associations with their headquarter in France, where they can provide training practice or even employment.

Content and teaching methods

Special questions to Roman archaeology and history of art, considering the town of Rome, Italy and the whole of the Empire except for Gaul that is the topic of another course. The course proceeds by lecturing about two annual themes. Chosen regarding their historical and methodological implications, of referring to today's events, they are most of the time centred on one site (Rome, Pompeii, Aquilee) or on a category of documents (ceramics, painting, portrait...) or buildings (imperial thermae or palaces, basilicas...) ; they are associated in order to tackle every year two geographic areas (Italy and provinces) and two different eras (republican and imperial). The complete cycle covers 4 or 5 years.

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