Friday lates: Archaeological artefacts from dig to display
Discover what turns an object into a museum-worthy showpiece as we follow the fascinating path from the shadows of the trenches to the lights of the gallery.
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It is often difficult, once an artefact reaches the display cabinets of a museum or an art gallery, to understand the journey it has made from the moment it fell in the archaeological record; apart from the most famous treasures, this journey is often murky, confused and dotted with boring bureaucratic passages. Nonetheless, understanding the dynamics that turn an object into an artefact (and one worthy of display in museums) can cast a fascinating light on our approach to the past and our consideration for the most minute aspects of it, what the great archaeologist Andrea Carandini once called “the inglorious works”.
What will we cover?
• The theory and practice of an archaeological dig; • After the dust settles: inventories and cataloguing. • Best in show: selections and museum displays.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand the basic principles behind an archaeological dig; • Describe how archaeological materials are classified, inventoried and catalogued; • Identify the choice criteria for museum displays and exhibitions.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information and use basic Zoom elements like microphone and camera.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and group discussion. Please note: this is a live course and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course is part of our Friday Lates series, search ‘Friday Lates’ for more courses like this one.
Simone Chisena gained a BA in Classics (dissertation on Greek Vascular Painting) from the University of Pavia and an MSc in Archaeology (dissertation on anthropomorphic menhirs from the Alps) from the University of Rome "La Sapienza". After moving to the UK, his research has focused on prehistoric art of the Upper Palaeolithic (35k-10k years ago), on which he is completing his PhD at the University of York. Alongside teaching for the University of York's Department of Archaeology, he has taught courses on prehistoric art at the Centre for Lifelong Learning and, since 2022, at CityLit. A natural eclectic, his current research focuses on the transmission of artistic skills in European prehistory, but he has not forgotten his Classics background and has never stopped cultivating his interests in Ancient Greek and Roman art.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/friday-lates-archaeological-artefacts-from-dig-to-display2491582Friday lates: Archaeological artefacts from dig to displayhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/r/friday-lates-archaeological-artefacts-from-dig-to-display-1080.jpg1919GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Galleries, collecting & curating22851136117718921228511771136Discover what turns an object into a museum-worthy showpiece as we follow the fascinating path from the shadows of the trenches to the lights of the gallery.002621211Friday lates: Archaeological artefacts from dig to display1919https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/r/friday-lates-archaeological-artefacts-from-dig-to-display-1080_1.jpgInStockEveningFriOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-02-06T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allFeb 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB9181919Friday lates: Archaeological artefacts from dig to display191219Simone Chisenafriday-lates-archaeological-artefacts-from-dig-to-display/vb918-2526Discover what turns an object into a museum-worthy showpiece as we follow the fascinating path from the shadows of the trenches to the lights of the gallery.0000-Available|2026-02-06 00:00:00It is often difficult, once an artefact reaches the display cabinets of a museum or an art gallery, to understand the journey it has made from the moment it fell in the archaeological record; apart from the most famous treasures, this journey is often murky, confused and dotted with boring bureaucratic passages. Nonetheless, understanding the dynamics that turn an object into an artefact (and one worthy of display in museums) can cast a fascinating light on our approach to the past and our consideration for the most minute aspects of it, what the great archaeologist Andrea Carandini once called “the inglorious works”.Discover what turns an object into a museum-worthy showpiece as we follow the fascinating path from the shadows of the trenches to the lights of the gallery.• The theory and practice of an archaeological dig;<br/>• After the dust settles: inventories and cataloguing.<br/>• Best in show: selections and museum displays.• Understand the basic principles behind an archaeological dig;<br/>• Describe how archaeological materials are classified, inventoried and catalogued;<br/>• Identify the choice criteria for museum displays and exhibitions.This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information and use basic Zoom elements like microphone and camera.<p>You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and group discussion. Please note: this is a live course and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.<p>This course is part of our Friday Lates series, search ‘Friday Lates’ for more courses like this one.</p>Art historyGalleries, collecting & curatingvirtual191912VB918NONEFri06/02/2618:00 - 20:0018:0020:001 session1One-off onlyEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineSimone ChisenaBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-02-06T00:00:00+00:00Feb 2026Culture, history & humanities1919Friday lates: Archaeological artefacts from dig to displayfriday-lates-archaeological-artefacts-from-dig-to-display/vb918-2526Discover what turns an object into a museum-worthy showpiece as we follow the fascinating path from the shadows of the trenches to the lights of the gallery.0000-Available|2026-02-06 00:00:00It is often difficult, once an artefact reaches the display cabinets of a museum or an art gallery, to understand the journey it has made from the moment it fell in the archaeological record; apart from the most famous treasures, this journey is often murky, confused and dotted with boring bureaucratic passages. Nonetheless, understanding the dynamics that turn an object into an artefact (and one worthy of display in museums) can cast a fascinating light on our approach to the past and our consideration for the most minute aspects of it, what the great archaeologist Andrea Carandini once called “the inglorious works”.Discover what turns an object into a museum-worthy showpiece as we follow the fascinating path from the shadows of the trenches to the lights of the gallery.• The theory and practice of an archaeological dig;<br/>• After the dust settles: inventories and cataloguing.<br/>• Best in show: selections and museum displays.• Understand the basic principles behind an archaeological dig;<br/>• Describe how archaeological materials are classified, inventoried and catalogued;<br/>• Identify the choice criteria for museum displays and exhibitions.This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information and use basic Zoom elements like microphone and camera.<p>You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and group discussion. Please note: this is a live course and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.<p>This course is part of our Friday Lates series, search ‘Friday Lates’ for more courses like this one.</p>Art historyGalleries, collecting & curatingconfigurable
Italian Renaissance drawing: design, form and functionFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00
