Archaeological Soil and Sediment Micromorphology Course

Archaeological Soil and Sediment Micromorphology Course

Deadline: March 15, 2020

An intensive week-long course in Archaeological Micromorphology is offered by the Malcolm H. Wiener Laboratory for Archaeological Science. Dr. Panagiotis (Takis) Karkanas, Director of the Wiener Laboratory, and Dr. Paul Goldberg, Visiting Professorial Fellow at the University of Wollongong, will lead the course, which will primarily focus on deciphering site formation processes and micro-stratigraphy. Students will receive instruction in optical mineralogy, description of micromorphological thin sections, and analysis of soil fabrics and sedimentary microstructures.
Training will include the study of:

  • Soils and pedogenic processes
  • Natural processes in archaeological sites (e.g. water and debris flows, wind-blown sediment, standing water sediment)
  • Biological sediments (e.g., dung, coprolites, guano)
  • Anthropogenic processes (e.g., burning, stabling, living and constructed floors, dumping and filling, trampling, raking, building materials)
  • Post-depositional alterations (e.g., chemical diagenesis, bioturbation)

A maximum of 8 students will be accepted for the course. Preference is given to advanced students with a background in geoarchaeology, and preferably some exposure to optical mineralogy as well.

Training fee is 350 euros for the entire week. Accommodation is not provided, but we will offer recommendations and assistance to course participants in order to arrange accommodation themselves.

The course will take place from June 22-26, 2020. Applications will be submitted no later than March 15, 2020 via the online application form: https://ascsa.submittable.com/submit/154931/archaeological-soil-and-sediment-micromorphology-course. Applications will include one paragraph outlining the candidate’s background and why the candidate is interested in participating in the course, a CV, and names and email addresses of two referees. Participants who successfully complete the course of instruction will receive a certificate detailing the content of the course.

For further information or questions, please contact Dr. Panagiotis (Takis) Karkanas at tkarkanas@ascsa.edu.gr.

Link to online posting: https://www.ascsa.edu.gr/programs/wl-micromorphology-course

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