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Description of Individual Course Units
| Course Unit Code | Course Unit Title | Type of Course Unit | Year of Study | Semester | Number of ECTS Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIMS4701 | ARCHAEOCHEMİSTRY | 4 | 7 | 4,00 |
Level of Course Unit
Lisans
Language of Instruction
Turkish
Objectives of the Course
The aim of this course is to give information about the application of chemistry-based analysis techniques on archaeological and historical artifacts and to teach the necessary information for a more accurate interpretation of historical findings.
Name of Lecturer(s)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Hatice ARI
Learning Outcomes
| 1 | Defines the concepts of archaeochemistry and archaeometry, and explains their historical development and areas of application. |
| 2 | Classifies archaeological materials, and identifies their chemical composition and structural characteristics. |
| 3 | Describes the main analytical methods used for the investigation of rocks, ceramics, bones, metals, and organic residues. |
| 4 | Explains the use of spectroscopic, microscopic, and chromatographic techniques in archaeological material analysis with examples. |
| 5 | Evaluates data from various material groups to discuss the relationship between physical and chemical properties and cultural-technological context. |
| 6 | Interprets the contribution of scientific analyses to archaeological interpretation by reviewing case studies from Turkey and the world. |
Mode of Delivery
Formal Education
Prerequisities and Co-Requisities
None
Recommended Optional Programme Components
None
Content of the Course
Definition and History of Archaeology, What Archaeologists Want to Know?, Archaeological Materials, Analysis Methods, Archaeological Studies in Türkiye and the World and Examples from These Studies
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
| Week | Subjects (Theoretical) | Teaching Methods | Preparatory |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Archaeochemistry and Archeometry | Lecture, discussion, use of visual materials | Review definitions of archaeometry and archaeological chemistry. |
| 2 | What archaeologists want to know about archaeological artifacts | Case study, group work, sample report review | Analyze sample reports about archaeologists' expectations. |
| 3 | Archaeological Materials – Rocks and Boulders | Lecture, practical introduction to microscopic analysis | Study rock types and thin section analysis methods. |
| 4 | Archaeological Materials – Pottery | Brainstorming, comparison of structure and raw material | Explore pottery techniques and types of clay used. |
| 5 | Archaeological Materials – Bones | Discussion, video display, comparative sample analysis | Watch visual material on animal vs. human bone identification. |
| 6 | Archaeological Materials – Sediment and Soil | Lecture, group activity, soil profile analysis | Study sediment profiles and stratigraphic interpretations. |
| 7 | Archaeological Materials – Metals | Lectures, brainstorming, discussion, question and answer | Review metal analysis methods and alloy classifications. |
| 8 | Archaeological Materials – Other Materials | Lecture, brainstorming, discussion | Gather basic data on glass, glazed ceramics, and other inorganic materials. |
| 9 | Archaeological Materials – Other Materials | Group discussion, sample data analysis | Study types of organic residues and their analysis methods. |
| 10 | Analysis Methods of Archaeological Materials | Lecture, case-based analysis | Review principles of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. |
| 11 | Analysis Methods of Archaeological Materials | Discussion, method comparison | Compare instruments such as ICP-MS and XRF in archaeological chemistry. |
| 12 | Analysis Methods of Archaeological Materials | Practical scenario solving, draft report writing | Write a short draft report based on past analysis examples. |
| 13 | Examples of Archaeological Studies and Applications in Turkey | Lecture, project review | Review archaeochemical projects conducted in Turkey. |
| 14 | Archaeological Studies in the World and Some Examples | General review, international case study | Conduct case study from international archaeochemical research. |
Text Book / Material / Recommended Resources
1. Sevi Öz, Şahinde Demirci, Arkeokimyaya Genel Bakış, Gazi Kitabevi, Ankara, 2017. 2. T. Douglas Price, James H. Burton, An Introduction to Archaeological Chemistry, Springer, 2011. 3. A. Mark Pollard, Carl Heron, Ruth Ann Armitage, Archaeological Chemistry, royal Society of Chemistry, 3rd Edition, 2016.
Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Assessment Methods and Criteria
| Term (or Year) Learning Activities | Quantity | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Midterm Examination | 1 | 60 |
| Homework | 1 | 40 |
| Total | 100 | |
| End Of Term (or Year) Learning Activities | Quantity | Weight |
| Final Examination | 1 | 100 |
| Total | 100 | |
| Term (or Year) Learning Activities | 40 | |
| End Of Term (or Year) Learning Activities | 60 | |
Work Pacement(s)
None
Workload Calculation
| Activities | Number | Time (hours) | Total Work Load (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midterm Examination | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Final Examination | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Attending Lectures | 14 | 2 | 28 |
| Brain Storming | 3 | 5 | 15 |
| Self Study | 14 | 1 | 14 |
| Individual Study for Homework Problems | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Individual Study for Mid term Examination | 4 | 3 | 12 |
| Individual Study for Final Examination | 4 | 5 | 20 |
| Homework | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Work Load (hours) | 99 | ||
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
| PO 1 | PO 2 | PO 3 | PO 4 | PO 5 | PO 6 | PO 7 | PO 8 | PO 9 | PO 10 | PO 11 | PO 12 | PO 13 | PO 14 | PO 15 | |
| LO 1 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| LO 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| LO 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| LO 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| LO 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| LO 6 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
* Contribution Level: 1 Very low 2 Low 3 Medium 4 High 5 Very High