Specific objectives − Knowledge and understanding: The student will acquire the knowledge of basic concepts in condensed matter physics and how these relate to specific analysis techniques. − Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The student will acquire the ability to interpret microscopy, imaging, x-ray, and radioactivity data from archeological materials. − Critical and judgmental capacities: The student will develop critical and judgmental skills by analysing case studies and defining appropriate physical methods for archaeological studies. These skills will be developed through interaction with the lecturer during the course. − Communication skills: The student will be asked to interact in the analysis of study materials and during the lectures to identify the appropriate physical methods in archaeological studies. − Learning skills: The student will acquire the theoretical and practical ability to apply physical methods to the identification and dating of archeological materials. Syllabus − Fundamentals of Solid-State Physics and Light-Matter Interaction (8 h) − Optical microscopy, imaging, 3D laser scanning and structured illumination imaging (2 h) − Optical spectroscopy, UV/VIS, photometry and colorimetry (2 h) − Multispectral Imaging in Reflectance and Photo-induced Luminescence modes (2 h) − Vibrational spectroscopy, Raman and IR (2 h) − X-Ray fluorescence (2 h) − X-Ray diffraction (2 h) − X-ray tomography (1 h) − Atomic-force microscopy (2 h) − Electronic microscopy, scanning and transmission (2 h) − Radiocarbon dating (2 h) − Isotope analysis, tracking and provenance (2 h) − Thermoluminescence (1 h) Laboratory work: − Optical microscopy lab (4 h) − Photometry lab (4 h) − Spectroscopy lab (6 h) − X-ray lab (4 h) − Atomic force lab (4 h) − Electron microscopy lab (4 h) − Radioactivity lab (4 h) Structure of the course The course is structured in two phases: − theoretical part to analyse concepts, experimental schemes, and instrumentation associated to the physical investigation of archaeological artifacts (30 hours) − laboratory sessions (30 hours)

Study material Teaching materials, including handouts, thematic websites and scientific articles will be distributed in class and posted on a dedicated Moodle page.

Specific objectives − Knowledge and understanding: The student will acquire the knowledge of fossilization processes and identification methods of plant and animal remains, as well as criteria for selecting the most appropriate methods for the various applications. − Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The student will acquire the ability to identify biological remains to support archaeological case studies. − Critical and judgmental capacities: The student will develop critical and judgmental skills by analysing case studies and defining appropriate biological methods for archaeological studies. These skills will be developed through interaction with the lecturer during the course. − Communication skills: The student will be asked to interact in the analysis of study materials and during the lectures to identify the appropriate biological methods in archaeological studies. − Learning skills: The student will acquire the theoretical and practical ability to apply the identification of fossil remains to archaeological interpretations so as to be able to replicate it to real case studies and for the formulation of project proposals. Syllabus − Fossil remains: etymology and definition (2 h) − Macrofossils and microfossils (2 h) − Conditions for preservation of plant and animal remains (4 h) − Different types of plant and animal remains (2 h) Laboratory work: − Identification of fossil woods (4 h) − Laboratory work on phytoliths (2 h) − Laboratory work on cuticles (2 h) − Seeds and fruits from archaeological sites (4 h) − Diatoms and other siliceous remains (2 h) − Faunal remains (4 h) − Plant and animal fibres (2 h) Structure of the course The course is structured in two phases: − - theoretical part to analyse concepts, issues and the structure of environmental archaeology (10 hours) − - laboratory of biological remains from archaeological contexts (20 hours)

Study material Teaching materials, including handouts, thematic websites and scientific articles will be distributed in class and posted on a dedicated Moodle page.