Introduction to Conservation of Archaeological Ceramic  in Italy - Workshop (3 Credits) 

Session 1 (May 23 - June 19) 4 weeks

Course #: S1-3

Instructor: Prof. Bianca Fossa 

E-mail: bfossa@tiscali.it

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

This workshop class is complementary to the course:  Introduction to Conservation of Archaeological Ceramic in Italy (S1-B2). In this workshop students will get hands-on experience working with clay to acquire familiarity with traditional clay materials and fabrication techniques. Students will also get hands-on experience learning basic conservation skills such as identifying the various ceramic materials, morphological analyzing of pottery, documenting archaeological ceramics, cleaning, consolidation and  restoration of archaeological ceramics.

 

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

 

Part 1

Students learn basic manual skills in the practice of basic ceramic making. They will realize some simple pottery and bas-reliefs using some of the common traditional ceramic making techniques. Such hands-on experience is useful to allow students to better understand information given during theoretical lessons as well as the nature of ceramic objects being conserved.

 

Principal techniques used will be:

·         preparing clay

·         pinch

·         coiling

·         slabs

·         modeling

·         joining

 

Part 2

Students will learn basic skills in analyzing pottery in regards to materials, forms, and how to record and document pottery in graphic way.

 

·         Identification of materials

·         Analysis of shapes of pottery

·         Recording and documentation of pottery

·         Historical analysis of pottery

 
Part 3 

Focus on the basic conservation practices for archaeological ceramic finds from Carsulae’s Baths Excavation Seasons and, eventually, other archaeological objects. Students will be guided through all steps and principal techniques involved in conservation first aid and conservation of ceramic, following a methodological, correct approach.

 

·         cleaning

·         consolidation

·         numbering

·         searching through fragments

·         re-assembling

·         preparing for correct storage

 

COURSE STRUCTURE:

Afternoons: 4 hr. workshop sessions, workshop projects, assigned reading, written assignment