HAAR-B4080

Course content

The following concepts will be adressed in the theoretical part.

Interest of scientific investigation for identification, dating and acquisition of objects from the movables cultural heritage.

Examination of the paint-layer will not be adressed, as another course is devoted to this topic.

Matter and its properties : elementary constituants, isotopes, chemical, structural and molecular description.

Different physical probes : electromagnetic waves (photon, IR, visible an UV light, X- and gamma-rays), beta particles (electrons, positrons), alpha particles, neutrons, ions.

The typical scales related to these probes will be presented as well as the geometrical configurations (reflection, transmission).

Differences between destructive and invasive methods will be highlited.

The list of methods that will be adressed includes dating methods (radiocarbon and thermoluminescence), optical methods, radiography, emmissiography, IR spectrometry, Raman spectrometry, Fourier IR and Raman spectrometry, mass spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction , PIXE and PIGE, neutron activation, electron and neutron diffraction.

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

Understanding of the principles on which methods of analysis are based as well as their field of application. Capability of determining the different methods that could be used to study a given object.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Contribution to the teaching profile

The course objectives described here below are explicit learning outcomes of the framework.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

Mary E. Malainey, « A Consumer's Guide to Archaeological Science » (Springer 2011), available through the Library of the University at this address

http://www.springerlink.com.ezproxy.ulb.ac.be/content/978-1-4419-5703-0

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

Other

Oral exam on the theoretical and practical parts.

During the examination, the Students will present, in 12 minutes, the contents of a journal article in which the conclusions are drawn with the help of at least two methods that were addressed in the frame of this course.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

Two thirds of the final mark will come from the examination on the theoretical part. The last third will com from the practical part.

Programmes

Programmes proposing this course at the faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences
MA-HHAAR	Master in History of Art and Archaeology : General - finalité Museums and preservation of the furniture heritage/bloc 1
	5 credits [lecture: 24h, tutorial classes: 36h] - first term

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