Friday lates: Archaeological artefacts from dig to display
Time: 18:00 - 20:00
Location: Online
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
- Course Code: VB918
- Dates: 07/02/25 - 07/02/25
- Time: 18:00 - 20:00
- Taught: Fri, Evening
- Duration: 1 session
- Location: Online
- Tutor: Simone Chisena
Course Code: VB918
Duration: 1 session
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
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”.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone can be used if you don't have a computer but please note the experience may be less optimal.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
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.
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?
his 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.
