Unit of Earth Sciences
Department of Geosciences | University of Fribourg
Archaeometry
The field of
Archaeometry is the interface between Natural Sciences and Archaeology. Analytical
techniques or knowledge from the Natural Sciences can contribute to
archaeological questions (i.e. dating of a charcoal piece with radiocarbon,
provenancing a silver coin by the lead isotopes, define the firing temperature
of a ceramic by its mineralogy, etc).
Teaching:
We organize Introductive Short Courses and Advanced Short Courses.
Research:
The Archaeometry group has
been set up by professor Marino Maggetti in 1974. From 2005, it is leaded by
professor Vincent Serneels.
The focus is put on
characterization of inorganic materials using analytical techniques and
kwonledge of the Earth Sciences : mineralogy, petrology, sedimentology,
palaeontology, etc.
There are ongoing
research projects on various groups of materials : Ceramics,
Metals and Slag, Stones and Mortars, Pigments and Glass.
The main questions are
related to the provenance of the raw materials used and to the technology of
production.
Facilities:
We have a specialized
library with sections on ceramics, metals, stones and glasses and geoarchaeology.
The main journals related to Archaeometry are accessible through the Library of
the Sciences Faculty DOKPE. We have several
reference collections for raw materials used in the Past and typical finished
products. We have the
access to the analytical facilities of the Geosciences Department.
Events:
We organize or participate to invited lectures and workshops and other events.
People
Prof. Vincent SERNEELS
Archaeometry (Archaeometallurgy, Ancient Stones), Cristallography, Analytical Methods.
Prof. em. Marino MAGGETTI
Archaeometry (Ancient Ceramics, Ancient Stones, Pigments), Basement Geology, Technical Mineralogy.
Dr. Gisela THIERRIN
Lecturer. Archaeometry (Ancient Ceramics), Optical Microscopy.
Dr. Ildiko KATONA-SERNEELS
Research Assistant. Archaeometry (Ancient Stones and Ceramics, Glass), Analytical Methods.
Daniela KOENIG
PhD student. Archaeometry (Archaeometallurgy).
Maelle LHEMON
PhD student. Archaeology (Ancient Stones).
Raphaelle SOULIGNAC
PhD student. Archaeometry (Archaeometallurgy).
Benoît MILLE
PhD student,
Large bronze casting technologies through times – cotutelle Paris IV (Prof. C.
Perlès), also working at the C2RMF (Le Louvre / France) – à contrôler
Akram EL KATEB
Master student,
Iron production technology at Korsimoro (Burkina Faso).
Potence KOUASSI
Invited PhD
student 2010-2012 (University of Abidjan), Iron production technology in
central Ivory Coast (Korhogo).
Salif BIRBA
Invited PhD
student 2012 (university Paris I), Iron production technology in the Province
of Bam (Burkina Faso)
