Recovering the Humankind's Past and Saving the Universal Heritage from Coursera

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Syllabus

COURSE INFORMATION & COLLABORATIVE ACTIVITIES

The inter-disciplinary perspective of Archaeology, the Ebla discovery, the use of ICT technologies and the introduction of the Europeana Data Model as a framework for collecting, connecting and enriching data will be the focus of the course.

Week 1 - The recovery of the human past and the protection of the universal heritage.

We will start our enquiry by discussing how ancient societies kept memory of their own past, an aspect which, in fact, was fundamental to their identity. Shifting towards modern times, we will then reflect how the material past is preserved and how we refer to it. Homework available since

Week 2 - The birth of archaeology and its role in the contemporary world.

The study of the past of the planet marked the first serious reflections on humankind’s past, although archaeology was in fact considered the practice to collect objects. “New Archaeology” represents the first major revolution, promptly followed by the more structured and aggressive “Processual Archaeology". The opening towards different disciplines implied the “loss of innocence” for archaeology, bringing at the same time scientific methods into the reconstructions of the past. Homework available since

Week 3 - The birth of archaeology and its role in the contemporary world.

Field archaeology entails discovery, but is a matter of fact that discovering brings a great responsibility because it is a process of destruction. Digging means observing, recording, interpreting. Archaeological excavation is an harmonious trade-off between an intellectual and a manual labor. In fact, archaeological interpretation is a path shifting between identity and alterity. Homework available since

Week 4 - The birth of archaeology and its role in the contemporary world.

Material remains of the past and their state of recovery vary according also to environments. Surface surveys lead to a more intense knowledge of territories, visualizing archaeologicallandscapes in a variety of ecological situations. The objectives of archaeological research have been moulded in the historical development of the discipline. Historical sources have always been a sourceof inspiration for research, opening new problems. Chronology is a construct depending on dating tools, and scientific methods have been employed in determining an absolute chronology. Homework available since

Week 5 - The birth of archaeology and its role in the contemporary world.

This module focuses on scientific research and knowledge dissemination.The specificities of the past pose a problem in respect of popularization and simplification. The operational chain is made of exploration, dig, publication, conservation, dissemination, protection. However, the need for a legitimacy of the present has led also to political readings of the retrieval of the past. Present cultural identity is grounded in the retrieved past. The “past of the other” has often been refused throughout history down to modern times. Our perception of the past is made manifest in its material and virtual reconstruction starting from ruins. Further, “excessive exploitation” of the past represent a modern destruction. The archaeological excavation of Ebla (Syria) will be analyzed as case study. It is in fact an example of a research framed within historical archaeology, which, in the course of fifty years of research, turned into a global perspective. Homework available since Dic.: Quiz week 5

Week 6 - Digitizing Cultural Objects and 3D virtual reconstruction

In this module, Emanuel Demetrescu will explain us the last methodologies and techniques in the field of 3D acquisition and reconstruction of cultural heriatage. These applications improve the knowledge and preservation and have a central role in the way we can communicate cultural heritage to the society. Making digital copies from real objects now has several very fun and precise technologies that are also available to everybody at very low cost budget. Demetrescu will show us how to use these tools to make our own models and share them with others. The virtual reconstruction of no-more-exstant objects (like a lost temple) will be the argument of the last part of the module: a state of the art of the methodologies will help us to understand how to approach such a process from a scientific point of view (archaeological method). Homework available since 1 Jan.: Quiz week 6

Week 7 - Digitizing Cultural Objects and 3D virtual reconstruction

In this module, Andrea Vitaletti will show us the basic techniques to effectively manage the unprecedented amount of digital contents on cultural objects nowadays offered by cultural heritage providers. Raw data, need to be organized in structured information in order to effectively support advanced functionalities, such as indexing and searching. We will present the basic techniques to structure the data in order to facilitate the access to digital contents and we will focus on the European Data Model, a framework for collecting, connecting and enriching data on cultural objects provided by a number of museum, archives, sites and libraries in Europe. Homework available since

Week 8 - Digitizing Cultural Objects and 3D virtual reconstruction

This module deals with some basic issues and principles. All heritages are “equal among them”. Heritages are a property of humankind and not of the single countries. Heritages need to be protected and preserved in their context. But many threats are posed to heritages: illegal digging is a serious risk, as well as actions due to hatred for the “other” and his heritage. As a consequence of what stated above, damages to heritage are a crime against all humankind. International Organizations are engaged in protecting the heritage, the future of which represents a contribution to dialogue and peace. Homework available since

Good to know

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Teaches the theoretical and practical foundations of archaeology

Offered by the Sapienza University of Rome, a renowned institution for archaeology

Taught by experienced archaeologists and researchers

Provides an interdisciplinary perspective, combining archaeology with history and science

Emphasizes the importance of preserving and protecting cultural heritage

Covers the use of advanced technologies, such as 3D digitization and virtual reconstruction, in archaeology

Reviews summary

Archaeology: recovering the past and digital heritage

Learners say that this course offers engaging assignments and a well-structured layout concerning archaeology. Those interested in archaeology's digital side will likely find helpful sections on 3D reconstructions. However, some learners mentioned that the English used in the difficult videos and accompanying transcripts may be hard to understand.

Learners suggest that this course is of good value for those interested in archaeology but may not be suitable for those looking to learn excavation techniques.

"This course is undeniably invaluable for both seasoned archaeologists and individuals captivated by the realm of archaeology."

"It brilliantly encapsulates the essence of archaeology, history, and the profound significance that lies within the preservation and conservation of both archaeological and non-historical monuments."

Course provides accessible information on archaeological techniques and historical preservation.

"The sections dedicated to them were very helpful to understand this process."

"In particular, since I am very curious about the digitization of artifacts (i.e. 3D reconstructions), the sections dedicated to them were very helpful to understand this process."

The English used in some videos and transcripts may be difficult for non-native speakers to understand.

"Very difficult to understand the below-standard Italian pronunciation of English, the transcriptors obviously had the same problem as the transcripts are below-standard too."

"The English pronunciation of the speakers is pretty bad, and the slides are not very appealing (textwalls and so on)."

"I found the videos a bit hard to follow because of the (in some cases) heavily accented English used, and the transcript had some errors, which just made it a bit more complicated than usual to easily follow the lessons."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Recovering the Humankind's Past and Saving the Universal Heritage with these activities:

Review 'The Archaeology of Ebla'

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Reading this book will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the archaeology of Ebla, which is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.

View Ebla on Amazon

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Read the book
Take notes on the key points
Write a summary of the book

Re-read excavation field notes

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Revisiting field notes can refresh your memory on the process of archaeological excavation and help you better understand the material covered in the course.

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Gather your field notes
Skim through your notes, paying attention to the methods and techniques used
Identify any areas where you need to refresh your knowledge
Review relevant sections from your textbook or other resources

Practice identifying archaeological artifacts

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Practicing artifact identification will improve your ability to recognize and classify different types of artifacts, which is essential for archaeological research.

Browse courses on Archaeology

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Gather a collection of archaeological artifacts or images of artifacts
Study the artifacts, paying attention to their shape, size, material, and any other distinguishing features
Identify the artifacts using a field guide or other reference materials

Three other activities

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Join a study group with other students in the course

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Joining a study group will allow you to discuss the course material with other students and to learn from each other.

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Find other students in the course who are interested in forming a study group
Meet regularly to discuss the course material

Follow a tutorial on how to use 3D modeling software

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Learning how to use 3D modeling software will allow you to create virtual reconstructions of archaeological artifacts and sites, which can be a valuable tool for research and education.

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Find a tutorial on how to use 3D modeling software
Follow the tutorial step-by-step
Practice using the software to create your own 3D models

Write a blog post about a recent archaeological discovery

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Writing a blog post will help you to synthesize your knowledge of archaeology and to communicate your findings to a wider audience.

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Choose a recent archaeological discovery that interests you
Research the discovery and gather information from credible sources
Write a blog post that explains the discovery, its significance, and its implications for our understanding of the past
Publish your blog post and share it with others

Career center

Learners who complete Recovering the Humankind's Past and Saving the Universal Heritage will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Archaeologist

Archaeologists study past peoples and cultures by excavating and examining material remains like buildings, artifacts, and human remains. This course helps build a foundation for this career by providing an overview of the history, methods, and theories of archaeology. The course also covers the importance of preserving and protecting cultural heritage, which is a key concern for archaeologists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archaeologist

Museum curator

Museum curators are responsible for planning and managing exhibitions, as well as preserving and caring for museum collections. This course can help prepare for this career by providing an understanding of the principles and practices of museum curation, as well as the importance of preserving and protecting cultural heritage.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Archivist

Archivists are responsible for acquiring, preserving, and providing access to historical records and other archival materials. This course can help prepare for this career by providing an understanding of the principles and practices of archival science, as well as the importance of preserving and protecting cultural heritage.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Preservation Architect

Preservation architects are responsible for preserving and restoring historic buildings and other structures. This course can help prepare for this career by providing an understanding of the principles and practices of preservation architecture, as well as the importance of preserving and protecting cultural heritage.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study the behavior, origin, and development of humans. This course may be useful for those interested in this career by providing an overview of the history, methods, and theories of anthropology.

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Historian

Historians study the past by examining written records, artifacts, and other historical evidence. This course may be useful for those interested in this career by providing an overview of the history, methods, and theories of history.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Archaeological Technician

Archaeological technicians assist archaeologists in excavating and examining material remains. This course can help prepare for this career by providing hands-on experience with archaeological methods and techniques.

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Museum Educator

Museum educators develop and deliver educational programs for museum visitors. This course may be useful for those interested in this career by providing an understanding of the principles and practices of museum education.

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Archivist Assistant

Archivist assistants assist archivists in acquiring, preserving, and providing access to historical records and other archival materials. This course may be useful for those interested in this career by providing an understanding of the principles and practices of archival science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist Assistant

Preservation Technician

Preservation technicians assist preservation architects in preserving and restoring historic buildings and other structures. This course may be useful for those interested in this career by providing an understanding of the principles and practices of preservation architecture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Preservation Technician

Cultural Resource Manager

Cultural resource managers are responsible for managing cultural resources, such as archaeological sites and historic buildings. This course may be useful for those interested in this career by providing an understanding of the principles and practices of cultural resource management.

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Forensic Scientist

Forensic scientists apply scientific methods to the investigation of crimes. This course may be useful for those interested in this career by providing an understanding of the principles and practices of forensic science.

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Geographer

Geographers study the Earth's surface and its human and natural environments. This course may be useful for those interested in this career by providing an understanding of the principles and practices of geography.

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Ecologist

Ecologists study the interactions between organisms and their environment. This course may be useful for those interested in this career by providing an understanding of the principles and practices of ecology.

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Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists study the environment and its interactions with humans. This course may be useful for those interested in this career by providing an understanding of the principles and practices of environmental science.

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