Preventive Conservation

Code:

ARQU029

Acronym:

CPRE

Instance: 2020/2021 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Heritage Studies
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
ARQU	17	ARQU - Study Plan	2	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

To promote the reflexion and the practice, in an integrated and interdisciplinary way, of risk preview, analysis and management, seeking the preservation of archaeological heritage.

To equip the students with methodological tools of work that allow them to research on the subject, to define and to implement plans of action and to sustain decisions.

Learning outcomes and competences

In the end, students are expected to be able to:

1. Correctly define concepts related to intervention in heritage and state their specific objectives and pathways, underlining the importance of damage and loss prevention;

2. Describe and explain the alteration processes of the material support  to the archaeological heritage, identifying the agents responsible, according to their specificities;

3. Interpret alteration evidences and investigate its origin;

4. Organize and implement a preventive action plan, as well as estimate its results.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Non applicable.

Program

1. Introduction
1.1. Heritage and conservation
1.1.1. Concepts: Genesis and evolution
1.1.2. Management and preservation tools. (Inter)National law

2. Archaeological materials and contexts
2.1. Vulnerabilities/resistances
2.2. Alteration. Agents, interaction mechanisms and evidence

3. Intervention methodologies and domain
3.1. In situ
3.1.1. Lifting and collection methodologies
3.1.2. Packaging and transport
3.2. In laboratory
3.2.1. Handling
3.2.2. Cleaning
3.2.3. Stabilization/Fixation 3.2.4. Marking
3.2.5. Protection
3.3. In storage and exhibition 3.3.1. Packaging
3.3.2. Environmental management

Mandatory literature

PEARSON, C.; The Conservation Of Marine Archaeological Objects, Butterworths, 1987. ISBN: 0-408-10668-9
WATKINSON, D.; First Aid for Finds, Rescue/UKIC, 1987. ISBN: 0903789132
LANG, J. & MIDDLETON, A.; Radiography of Cultural Material, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1997. ISBN: 0-7506-2621-6
ODEGAARD, N.; Material Characterization Tests for Objects of Art and Archaeology, Archetype, 2005. ISBN: 1-904982-09-3
CRONYN, J. M.; The Elements of Archaeological Conservation, Routledge, 1992. ISBN: 0-415-01207-4
RODGERS, B.A.; The Archaeologist’s Manual for Conservation: A Guide to Non-Toxic, Minimal Intervention Artifact Stablization, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2004. ISBN: 0-306-48466-8
STOLOW, N.; Conservation and Exhibitions, Butterworths, 1987. ISBN: 0-408-01434-2
THOMSON, G.; The Museum Environment, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1994. ISBN: 0-7506-2041-2
Pye, E.; Caring for the Past. Issues in Conservation for Archaeology and Museums, James and James, 2001. ISBN: 1-902916-10-7
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES COMMISSION ; Standards in the Museum Care of Archaeological Collections, MGC, 1992. ISBN: 0-948630-15-9
PEARSON, C.; Rock Art and Posterity: Conserving, Managing and Recording Rock Art, Australian Rock Art Research Publication, 1991. ISBN: 0-646-03751-x

Comments from the literature

Throughout the semester, specific references will be provided on the different topics of the program and the development of thematic research.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical-practical classes, laboratory practices and tutorial orientations. Use of active teaching/learning strategies, such as field activities, laboratory simulation/experimentation and presentation/discussion/education, based on imagined scenarios, real world problems and case studies. Development of individual and group work.

Software

Microsoft Office

keywords

Humanities > Arts > Fine arts > Art works preservation
Humanities > History > Archaeology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	30,00
Teste	15,00
Trabalho de campo	12,50
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Trabalho laboratorial	12,50
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	10,00
Estudo autónomo	40,00
Frequência das aulas	54,00
Trabalho de campo	10,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Trabalho laboratorial	18,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Students must guarantee a frequency of 75%, except in cases provided for in general law and FLUP regulations.

Calculation formula of final grade

Examinations or Special Assignments

Students dismissed from the attendance and who didn’t comply with it shall: 

- Develop, autonomously, activities which explore the program, after teacher's approval, and write a report about them; 

- Elaborate a thematic research work, which the teacher will supervise through the existent communication channels; 

- Prepare and present a lesson during the exam period, in a time and place to be set.

Internship work/project

Non applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to FLUP regulations.

Classification improvement

The improvement of classification may be made for the following written components:

- Reports of field and laboratory work, group (sum 25%);

- Thematic research and preparation of written work, group (30%).

Observations

All missing situations will be considered and resolved by the teacher, in compliance with the FLUP regulations.

In view of the pandemic context, changes were made to the dynamics of classes and to the assessment, with the following elements of assessment being considered and weighted:

- Individual - Moodle test (30%);
- Group - Thematic research_Oral presentation (35%) + Written document (35%).

The improvement of the classification can be made only to the written component of the group evaluation: Written document (35%).