Materials Analysis I

Code:

ARQU001

Acronym:

AMI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Archaeology

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S

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	43	ARQU - Study Plan	2	-	6	41	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students
Obs.: Português

Objectives

- To know general aspects of prehistoric lithic technology as a set of techniques and procedures employed in the production of artifactual knapped and polished stone-tools;

- To analyse lithic artefacts in a typological perspective as well as in a technological approach ("châines-operatoires");

- To contextualise from a chronological and cultural point of view different methods and techniques of stone knapping as well as different types of lithic artefacts.

- To identify the main techniques, morphologies and decorative patterns of prehistoric pottery.

- To identify the main techniques, morphologies and decorative patterns of proto-historic pottery.

- To be able to contextualise these metallurgical productions from a chronological-cultural point of view.

Learning outcomes and competences

The student must be able to recognize lithic artefacts (knapped and polished), and pre and protohistoric pottery. The student must also be able to contextualise them chronologically, describe them and classify them (albeit in general terms).

These skills are considered to be fundamental to Archaeology practice.

Working method

Presencial

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

Not applicable

Program

1. The study of lithic artifacts

1.1. Introduction to the study of knapped and polished stone-tools: A historical overview.

1.2. The identification and characterization of the main rocks and minerals used in the production of lytic stone-tools.

1.3. Knapping and polishing methods and techniques. Experimental knapping and polishing. Terminology.

1.4. The morpho-typological classification and the technological analysis ("châines-operatoires").

1.5. A technological and typological characterization of the main prehistoric lithic industries: The Oldowan. The Acheulian. The Mousterian. The Upper Paleolithic assemblages. Post-Palaeolithic industries.

2. The study of prehistoric pottery

2.1. Technical, decorative and morphological aspects.

2.2. General chronological framework of prehistoric ceramic containers.

3. Study of proto-historic pottery

3.1 - Technical characteristics, morphology and decorative models.

3.2. General chronological framework of proto-historic pottery forms.

Mandatory literature

Alarcão J.; Barroca, M. ; Dicionário de Arqueologia Portuguesa. ISBN: 978-972-661-219-3
BORDES, F.; Typologie du Paleolithique Ancien et Moyen, C.N.R.S., 1988. ISBN: 2-87682-005-6
Comendador Rey, Beatrz; Los inicios de la metalugia en el noroeste de la Península Ibéria
Eiroa, J.J.; Bachiler Gil, J.A..; Castro Pérez, L.; Lomba Maurandi, J. ; Nociones de tecnología y tipología en Prehistoria. ISBN: 9788434466166
M-L. Inizan; M. Reduron-Ballinger; H. Roche; J. Tixier; Technology and terminology of knapped stone, CREP, 1999. ISBN: ISBN: ISBN: ISBN: 2-903516-05-7
Rye, Owen; Pottery technology. Principles and reconstruction. ISBN: 0-9602822-2-x
Silva, A.C.F.; A Cultura Castreja no Noroeste de Portugal. ISBN: 978-972-9408-28-1
Silva, M. A. Dias da; A cerâmica castreja de Briteiros. ISBN: 972-96772-0-4
VVAA; De Ulisses a Viriato. O I milénio AC.. ISBN: 972-8137-39-7

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures. Handling and experimental production of archaeological materials of different chronologies: lithics and pottery and  observation of experimental knapping. Exercises based on the description and classification of archaeological materials.

keywords

Humanities

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	121,00
Frequência das aulas	41,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Não se aplica.

Calculation formula of final grade

The exam mark corresponds to the final mark.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Final exam.

Classification improvement

The improvement of the final mark implies a new exam, in accordance with the Assessment Regulation applicable to the 1st cycle courses.