Macroscopic and microscopic methods of the material finds research: Amber 05-MMMBZ-11-PS-ArchU
During the curses following problems will be undertaken: the issue of natural character of amber and its cultural role in the prehistory. In the first group of issues the question is the origin of amber fossil resin called succinite in the context of other fossil resins known in the world (periods of the history of the Earth associated with the formation of fossil resins, type of the resinous trees, factors affecting the transformation of resin into the fossilized resin). The variety of amber will also be shown (in the form of samples of raw material), there will be given a short description and data frequency. In the course of the laboratory following problems will be undertaken: geological origin of amber, methods of its working, main centers of extracting (Jutland and eastern part of the Baltic coast), typology of amber finds and the most important centers of its using (e.g. Globular Amphorae C., Bell Beakers, Unetice C., Wessex C., Otomani-Füzesabony C., Tumulus C., Mycenaean C., Urnfield C. and different stylistic amber artefacts of Roman Empire).
The issue of chemical and physical characteristics of amber and other fossil resins is also important. In this regard, the typology (chemotypology) of resins and the modern scientific methods will be shown too. Among the cultural issues the history of research about prehistoric amber art will be discussed, first as a pre-scientific (starting from the antiquity to the modern times), then the scientific, which date from the second half of the nineteenth century. Methods of the amber’s processing on the technological level known by the traditional societies (first stone age, then bronze and iron ages) will be undertaken. The other issue are the main centers of mining (the center of Jutland and Sambia), and the potential presence of other mining centers (Central Germany, Volhynia). Another topic that will be discussed are the known in the literature typologies of amber items, which will be discussed and subjected to comparative analysis. Religious, magical and therapeutic aspects of amber in prehistory will be also discussed.
Module learning aims
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Cycle of studies
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Year of studies (where relevant)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
During the classes the student will be familiar with the problem of the origin of amber as a fossilized resin called succinite in the context of other fossil resins known in the world. He/she will get knowledge about the periods of the history of the Earth associated with the formation of fossil resins, types of resinous trees and the factors influencing the process of transformation of resin into the fossil resin. The student will also receive a basic knowledge of the specific varieties of amber, which gives a chance to compare the samples of raw favor granted during the courses. He/she will get short characteristics of the variety and their existing data. Subsequently, the student will obtain knowledge of the geology of the amber deposits in particular on the example of Europe's largest mining (Jutland, Sambia). The basic data of the chemical and physical characteristics of amber and other fossil resins will also be given to students during classes. In this regard, students will be given knowledge of the typology (chemotypology) of fossil resins and the modern scientific methods of research. The content of the course will also involve the amber conservation issues, especially treatment that is necessary directly at the archaeological site, and the requirements associated with the storage of amber in the museum stores. As part of the cultural issues for students to receive knowledge of the history of research on prehistoric amber art, firstly - of pre-scientific character (from antiquity to modern times), then the scientific one, which dates from the second half of the nineteenth century. Basic information about the processing of amber on the technological level of the traditional societies (Stone Age, then the Bronze Age and the Iron age) will also be discussed. Student will get the knowledge about the main centers of mining (Jutland, Sambia) and the potential presence of other mining centres (Central Germany, Volyhnia) in the prehistory. Student will also get information about the typologies of amber items, known in the literature, which will be discussed and analyzed. Religious, magical and therapeutic aspects of amber in prehistory will be also discussed.
After attending the courses student should be able to understand the basic issues, connected with the natural character and especially with the origin of amber as a fossil resin. He/she understands the basic topics of the amber deposits’ geology and the chemical and physical characteristic of this material. Student understands the causes, which created the interests about amber both for the prehistoric societies and modern scientists. He/she is also able to recognize the basics of the typology of the prehistoric amber objects.
The final outcome should be the basic knowledge about importance of amber in the prehistoric times, sufficient for independent problematic fathoming and starting with student’s own studies on the topic. The student is able to recognize the varieties of amber and analyze the typology of amber items from the archeological sites. He/she is able to recognize the basic techniques of amber processing and is able to take practical steps during the excavations to conservation the freshly discovered objects and how should they be kept safe.
Assessment criteria
Credit based on attendance, involvement into discussions and final oral exam.
Bibliography
Z. Bukowski, 2002, Znaleziska bursztynu w zespołach z epoki brązu i z wczesnej epoki żelaza z dorzecza Odry oraz Wisły, Warszawa.
Czebreszuk J., 2011, Bursztyn w kulturze mykeńskiej, Poznań.
A. Harding, H. Brock-Hughes, 1974, Amber in Mycenaean world, Annual of the British School of Archaeology at Athens 69, p. 148-172.
Loze Ilze, 1975, Neolithic Amber Ornaments in the Eastern Part of Latvia, Przegląd Archeologiczny, t.23, p. 49-82.
Mazurowski R., 1983, Bursztyn w epoce kamienia na ziemiach polskich, Materiały Starożytne I Wczesnośredniowieczne, t. V, s. 7-130.
Additional information
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