AEB_159 Glazes and Glasses in Archaeological Research

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2019
Extent and Intensity
6/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
David V. Hill, PhD (lecturer)
Mgr. Jan Petřík, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. Mgr. Klára Šabatová, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. Mgr. Jiří Macháček, Ph.D.
Department of Archaeology and Museology – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Šibíčková
Supplier department: Department of Archaeology and Museology – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Thu 18. 4. 14:00–15:40 T207, Tue 23. 4. 18:00–19:40 T207, Thu 25. 4. 14:00–15:40 T207, Mon 29. 4. 18:00–19:40 T209, Tue 30. 4. 18:00–19:40 T207, Mon 6. 5. 18:00–19:40 T209, Tue 7. 5. 18:00–19:40 T207
Prerequisites
- to understand spoken and written English
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 26 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The student will develop a thorough knowledge of problem-solving techniques for the examination of archaeological ceramic glazes and glass.
The laboratory portion of the course will acquaint students with analytical methods and ways of interpreting and presenting data derived from archaeological materials.
Learning outcomes
Assignments
Each student will produce a research design that addresses a specific type or group of glazed ceramics or glass. The proposal will include the specific research topic to be addressed, the relevance of the samples and methods used for the study, and identify what data are required to address the research question. Relevant and current references will be cited.
Drafts of each student’s research design will be submitted at the end of the fourth lecture. Points will be awarded based on 1) Relevance of the research question to the class of artifacts 2) decision regarding the source and size of the sample 3) choice of appropriate analytical methods 5) research bibliography
The draft research designs will be returned for revision by Lecture 6.
During the final class, each student will 1) Submit the final version of their research design and research bibliography; 2) each student will also present an oral version of their proposed research. This presentation should last no longer than 10 minutes to allow time for questions and discussion.
Syllabus
  • Using examples primarily from Middle Eastern and Chinese archaeological contents, this course is designed to acquaint archaeological students with how glazed ceramics and glass have been studied and why. This program will familiarize students with various analytical methods derived from the physical sciences to study ceramic glazes and glass. Evidence for the movement of objects and materials along the land and maritime “Silk routes” and their impacts on local technologies will be examined. A laboratory section focusing on the analysis of Middle Eastern and Chinese glazed ceramics will form part of the course.
  • Lectures:
  • 1) Why do glazed ceramics and glass appear the way they do? the use of physical science-based analysis to answer questions in archaeological research
  • 2) Glazed ceramics and glass in the Middle East and China before AD 800
  • 3) The Silk Road(s), trade and globalization and their role in ceramic technology
  • 4) Ding, Jun, Ru, Guan and Ge: The Five Famous Wares of the Song Dynasty and the physical properties behind their appearances
  • 5) Porcelain and the interaction of Chinese and European ceramic technology
  • 6) Laboratory Analysis of Chinese and Middle Eastern ceramics
Literature
  • Vandiver, Pamela B. 1990 : Ancient Glazes. Scientific American Vol 262, No.4, pp. 106-113.
  • Kerr, Rose and Nigel Wood: 2004 Science and Civilization in China, Volume 5., Part 12, Ceramic Technology. Cambridge University Press, available as PDF for students
Teaching methods
Lectures Thursday 18. 4. 2019 (14-15.40, T 207) Tuesday 23. 4. 2019 (18-19.40, T207) Wednesday 24. 4. 2019 (public lecture, T103) Thursday 25. 4. 2019 (14-15.40, T 207) Monday 29. 4. 2019 (18-19.40, T207) Tuesday 30. 4. 2019 (18-19.40, T207) Monday 6. 5. 2019 (18-19.40, T207) Tuesday 7. 5. 2019 (18-19.40, T207)
Assessment methods
Grading will be based on assessment of the following criteria:
1) Submission of the draft research design at the end of Class 4
2) Submission of the final written version of the research design at the beginning of Class 7
3) Quality of the oral presentation of the research design in Class 7
4) Participation in class discussions
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
Teacher's information
Readings

While no specific reading will be assigned during the class, the following references are highly recommended to provide background for the various topics that will be covered during the course.

Vandiver, Pamela B. 1990 Ancient Glazes. Scientific American Vol 262, No.4, pp. 106-113.

This reference will be very useful for students who lack a background in the scientific analysis of ancient ceramic glazes and glass. Some of the topics presented in this paper will be addressed during the course in greater detail.

Kerr, Rose and Nigel Wood 2004 Science and Civilization in China, Volume 5., Part 12, Ceramic Technology. Cambridge University Press, available as PDF for students

A copy of the volume will be made available for loan for students taking this course:

Wood, Nigel 2011 Chinese Ceramics: Their Origins, Chemistry and Recreation. University of Pennsylvania Press.

Additional references

Fusi Gan, Qinghui, and Julian Henderson, editors. 2016 Recent Advances in the Scientific Research on Ancient Glass and Glaze. World Century Publishing Corp. Hackensack, NJ.

Henderson, Julian 2016 Ancient Glass: An Interdisciplinary Exploration. Cambridge University Press, New York.

Zorn, Bettina and Alexandra Hilgner, editors 2010 Glass along the Silk Road, from 200 BC to AD 1000. Verlag des Romisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseums, Mainz.

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/i/reading-list-islamic-ceramics-and-glass/index.html

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