STS 301
ARCHAEOMETRY I
STS 301 "Archaeometry I" will be offered during the 2013/2014 Academic year,
fall term. The topics that will be covered are:
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~ Introduction to archaeometry
~ Emergence of modern humans
~ Prospecting ancient sites
~ Dating methods in archaeology
~ Introduction to archaeological materials
~ Physical and chemical examination of archaeological artifacts
~ Structure, production, provenance and utilization of archaeological materials
such as: Stone, obsidian, marble, wood, amber, bone, pottery, glass,
pigments and dyes, glaze, organic residues, metals
~ Decay and conservation
The topics above will be discussed with examples from ancient Near East and
Anatolia. There is no text-book, however, a number of related articles from Science,
Nature, Scientific American, Antiquity, Archaeometry, Discover, etc. will be part of
the reading material for the course. Power point presentations will be used in all
lectures. You can get the pdf forms of these presentations from the web site of the
Chemistry Department. Click on the menu “Course Material” in the Chemistry
Department web page. Click on the STS 301 and you will reach the documents. A
password will be given to you when classes start.
Eligibility
The course can be taken as an HSS or as a science complimentary elective by
Chemistry majors. It can be taken as a science elective by non-science majors. Basic
ideas covered in General Chemistry will be helpful but it is not a requirement for the
course. High School chemistry is all you need.
ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED TO ALL LECTURES.
Course Evaluation: There will be 3 exams, including the 3rd exam (it is not a final
exam) given during the final exam period and two best will make up your course
grade. There will be NO make-up exam. There will be unannounced quizzes during
lecture hours. The grades from the quizzes will be added on to your exam grades. If
your total grade average is below 30, you will fail the course and you will not be
allowed to take condition or any other exam.
1st midterm exam: November 6, 2014
2nd midterm exam December 18, 2014
Course Times: Tuesday 8th and 9th Periods, KB 126
Thursday 9th Period, KB 126
STS 301 (Archaeometry I, Course Outline)
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Introduction to Archaeometry
Archaeological Materials
Emergence of modern man
a) Paleoanthropology
b) Molecular biology
Impact of environment on human evolution
Human Cultural History
a) Paleolithic Period
b) Neolithic Period
c) Chalcolithic Period
d) Bronze Ages
e) Iron Age
Prospecting (Location of ancient sites)
a) Aerial surveying
b) Magnetic surveying
c) Resistivity surveying
d) Electromagnetic surveying
e) Microwave surveying
Dating methods in archaeology
a) Radioactive dating methods
b) Non-radioactive dating methods
Introduction to Materials
Electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with materials
Physical examination of artifacts
Microscopy and Radiography
Petrological, Metalographic and Electron microscopy
Chemical Analysis Techniques
a) Spectroscopic methods
b) x-ray methods
Archaeological materials: Stone (flint, obidian, marble, basalt), Bone & teeth,
Ivory, Color (pigment and dyes), Clay (pottery), Glaze, Glass, Wood
Brief introduction to metals
Decay and conservation