Aims

This is a practical course on Graphic Documentation (field techniques, drawing, photographic techniques) and an introduction to the Auxiliary Sciences of Archaeology and Art history. Students will acquire the basic methods and knowledge necessary for creating and compiling supporting documentation for their Archaeology and Art history research work, the most important piece of work being the dissertation they submit at the end of the their degree course. They will also be made familiar with the bibliographic resources for the Auxiliary Sciences and will acquire the basic principles of the domain.

Main themes

The course teaches students a variety of skills: how to draw objects and archaeological structures (acquiring the principles, methods and conventions); how to draw up architectural records (learning the standards and codes which apply, the conventions and different types of records); the basics of photographic materials and techniques; the main objectives and methods of la diplomatique, Epigraphy, Sigillography, Heraldry, Chronology and Paleography; the structure of scientific manuscripts in the fields of Archaeology and Art History, as regards the use of sources and graphic documentation; the use of documents in printing (printing plates, half-tone engravings and four-colour printing; insertion of text and frames; computerized text-management - printing interfaces; models and how to adapt them to ensure the scientific objectivity of an illustration).

Content and teaching methods

The course teaches students the basics of creating and handling graphic documentation. It also familiarizes them with the so-called Auxiliary Sciences used in Art History and Archaeology, in particular Paleography.

Other credits in programs