Methodology of the archaeological research
The course aims to provide the critical tools necessary for the interpretation of archaeological data by analyzing the processes that lead from the collection of data on site to their scientific elaboration and to the historical narration of the results through different levels of communication. Particular attention will be given to the philological analysis of multi-layered archaeological contexts, to their periodization and to the reorganization of complex stratigraphic sequences in order to introduce the historical reconstruction of the architectures and of the contexts analyzed. Thinking on current issues and research will be the subject of discussion and comparison useful to form autonomy of opinion and sharing of results.
The course includes a first part of lectures with computer support (ppt and other communication systems), which will be followed by lessons that provide for greater involvement of students in the discussion during the classroom, in order to stimulate reflection on the analyzed method and processes. It is also planned to organize specific seminars with the participation of other colleagues for the presentation of contexts considered of interest for the course. On the basis of the topics covered in class, the specific bibliography will be indicated during the course.
The classroom teaching is supported by the possibility of carrying out field research activities with the participation in the excavation at the north-eastern slope of the Palatine within the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum (‘Grandi Scavi’ of the Sapienza University) and the follow-on laboratories (analysis and processing of excavation documentation, cataloging and study of material culture, etc.). The opportunity to visit excavation sites in progress and other educational visits is also foreseen.