AES_901 Microscopy practice for archaeologists

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/3/1. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Ludmila Kaňáková Hladíková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. et Mgr. Ludmila Kaňáková Hladíková, Ph.D.
Department of Archaeology and Museology – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Šibíčková
Supplier department: Department of Archaeology and Museology – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites
Course is adequate for students of magister and higher studies. It required advanced knowledge of individual artefact classes, and understanding the debate of its archaeological analysis.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 5 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/5, only registered: 0/5
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to practically educate students in operating of various types of microscopes for individual methods of analysis on the artefact surface.
Learning outcomes
After the course will absolved, student will able self-sufficiently and securely operate various types of microscopes and realise analyses including documentation and report.
Syllabus
  • 1. introduction to microscopy in archaeology, parts and construction of microscope, configuration of microscope for individual analytical aims, introduction to work in laboratory and microscope operating, sampling, sample manipulation, cleaning and setting into right position
  • 2. determination of lithic raw materials by water-immerse method - identification of microfossils in silicite mass
  • 3. analysis of ceramic paste and ceramic petrography by observation of polished-sections and thin-sections
  • 4. use-wear analysis on lithic knapped and ground artefacts, on bone and antler artefacts and byproducts - production, functional, transport, and hafting wear
  • 5. use-wear analysis on metal artefacts - copper, bronze, risks of conservation, manufacture and use traces
  • 6. residues on lithic and metal artefacts - identification in situ, risks of apriori mistake, basic types of residues observable in-situ, methods of sampling and identification in slides
Literature
  • GEORGESCU, M. Dan. Microfossils through time : an introduction : first steps in micropaleontology. Stuttgart: Schweizerbart Science Publishers, 2018, xiii, 400. ISBN 9783510654130. info
  • MACGREGOR, Arthur. Bone, antler, ivory & horn : the technology of skeletal materials since the Roman period. First published. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2015, 245 stran. ISBN 9781138814172. info
  • QUINN, Patrick S. Ceramic petrography : the interpretation of archaeological pottery & related artefacts in thin section. Oxford: Archaeopress, 2013, 251 s. ISBN 9781905739592. info
  • GIJN, A. L. van. Flint in focus : lithic biographies in the Neolithic and Bronze Age. Leiden: Sidestone, 2010, xxii, 288. ISBN 9789088900334. info
  • Prehension and hafting traces on flint toolsa methodology. Edited by Veerle Rots. Leuven: Leuven University Press, 2010, xix, 273 p. ISBN 9789058678010. info
  • Microfossils. Edited by Howard Armstrong - M. D. Brasier. 2nd ed. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell Pub., 2005, viii,296 p. ISBN 0632052791. info
  • JUEL JENSEN, Helle. Flint tools and plant working : hidden traces of stone age technology. Aarhus: Aarhus University Press, 1994, ix, 263. ISBN 8772884541. info
  • GIJN, A. L. van. The wear and tear of flint : principiles of functional analysis applied to dutch neolithic assemblages. [Leiden: Institute of prehistory, University of Leiden, 1990, 182 s. info
  • KEELEY, Lawrence H. Experimental determination of stone tool uses : a microwear analysis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1980, xiii, 212. ISBN 0226428893. info
Teaching methods
Theoretical lectures are presented in e-learning. Students study them before the practical lesson in lab, to arrange as much time as possible for practice. Every lesson will start with short conclusion of theory and method.
Elf course: https://elf.phil.muni.cz/22-23/course/view.php?id=446
Practice of individual students with several samples will follow, while student is tutored by teacher.
Assessment methods
Student have to present ability to
1. self-sufficiently choice right microscope and configuration for proposed sample.
2. identify proposed feature of the sample - damage, use-wear, technology, raw-material etc.
3. prepare analytical report
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every other week.
General note: The course is English version of the course AEB_A16e for foreign students.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: elerning preparation to practical lesson.
Teacher's information
In Spring semester 2023, practice lessons will be realised in use-wear laboratory in number of persons 5+1.

Hygienic standard will be reached by combination of masks/respirators, obligatory use of nitril gloves (provided by lab), and effective airing, in case of bad epidemic situation.

Regarding the laboratory regime, own slippers are recommended; shoe covers are to dispose.

The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/AES_901