European Master in Archaeological Materials Science (ARCHMAT)

What?

ARCHMAT is a 2-years EMJMD course (120 ECTS) within a consortium of 3 Programme Country degree-awarding Universities (Evora-UEVORA, Thessaloniki-AUTH and Sapienza Rome -UNIROMA1), 5 Programme Country (Avignon-UAPV, Palermo-UNIPA, Turin Polytechnic - POLITO, Burgos - UBU, Gent, UGENT) and 2 Partner Country (Ben Gurion Negev - BGU, Al Farabi Kazakh Nat. University - KAZNU) HEIs, 5 Programme country (Human Evolution Museum, Burgos -MEH, Museo delle Civiltà, Rome - MUCIV, Centre for Archaeology, Lisbon - CAL, Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, University of São Paulo - MAE-USP, Institute of Mater. Science of Aragon, Zaragoza - ICMA, Ormylia Art Diagnosis Center, Ormylia Gr - ORM) and 2 Partner Country Museums and Research Centers (Israel Museum Jerusalem - IMJ, GuoWenYan Cult. Heritage Conserv. Center, China - CHCC), 1 NGO (Fondazione Flaminia, Ravenna - FF), 1 Civil Society Organization (WATCH, Rome), 1 Association of SMEs in Archaeometry sector (Archeomed®, Arles - ARC) and 1 accreditation agency (CIMEA-NARIC) as associated partners.

Why?

Aims is to provide students with specialized skills in archaeology and analytical characterization of materials from prehistory (Megalithic) to classical times (Greek and Roman). The study and conservation of Cultural Heritage materials is a research area with a strong multidisciplinary connotation and requires skills that span across the Humanities and Science research fields. ARCHMAT provides a common, integrated platform for excellent students coming from either Science or Humanities educational backgrounds to understand the advanced scientific methods used to investigate archaeological materials and aims to form highly specialized professional experts in the emerging field of Archaeometry, i.e Physico-Chemical Sciences applied to the study of Archaeological and Cultural Heritage materials.

How?

Classes are delivered at UEVORA (coordinator), AUTH and UNIROMA1. Associated members provide seminars/practical and field classes on Archaeometry specialised aspects/techniques and case studies and offer internships, joint supervision and topics for Thesis projects. Museum Associated partners provide archaeomaterials for Thesis Projects, host internships and Museum exhibitions on main Thesis Projects results (MEH, MUCIV, MAE-USP, CAL, IMJ). NGOs (FF, Archaeomed®, WATCH) deliver transversal skills training in Project Management and Entrepreneurship in the Cultural Heritage sector. CIMEA plays a joint degree and quality assurance advisory role. Seminars by top invited scholars in Archaeometry and Conservation Science complement the curriculum.

Advanced training for professionals

ARCHMAT is addressed not only to students pursuing their academic training but also to professionals and/or public functionaries already employed in Cultural Heritage and Archaeologically related institutions such as Museums, Ministry of Culture and other governmental cultural heritage agencies. In these cases, the ARCHMAT EMJMD course will serve as an updating-upgrading training experience. The need for high quality qualification/requalification of staff in the highly specialized ARCHMAT research field is indeed presently highly felt in the Archaeometry/Cultural Heritage/Conservation sector. This has proven successful with a number of former ARCHMAT alumni graduates who have returned to their countries to resume their professional career.