Professor Vin Steponaitis
Course Description: This course focuses on ancient ceramic technologies and how they can be reconstructed archaeologically. Methods related to the study of ceramic technology are stressed.
Course Structure: There will be two meetings per week (or one if we can agree on a three-hour time slot). In general, each topic will be covered with one or more lectures, followed by a lab designed to give you some practical experience. Sessions will be informal, hopefully with lots of verbal give-and-take. You will also select an independent project, on which you will present two oral reports and write a paper.
Meeting Times: The course meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:45 a.m., in Alumni 404.
Course Requirements: In addition to the assigned readings, requirements include periodic lab assignments (30%), oral reports (10%), a term paper (30%), and a final exam (30%). Class participation is essential. It will be taken into account by reducing your grade 10% for each unexcused absence. If you must miss class, please discuss it with me in advance if possible. If this is not possible, then please contact me as soon as possible afterwards. In general, illness or unavoidable family obligations are the only valid reasons for an absence.
Course Syllabus and Bibliography: Click here for a PDF version of the course syllabus, which in turn draws readings from the course bibliography. Not all the readings listed in the bibliography are required. The bibliography can be used as a resource in formulating and pursuing your term paper project.
Course Web Site: This web site contains not only all the information in the course syllabus, but also "downloadable" versions of all the lab exercises. It will be updated as the semester proceeds.
Honor Code: Students are expected to adhere to UNC's Honor Code. All written work must be accompanied by a signed pledge attesting that the student has neither given nor received unauthorized aid in completing the assignment. (One can use the short form and simply write "Pledge" followed by a signature.)
Textbooks:
Sinopoli, Carla (1991). Approaches to Archaeological Ceramics. Plenum.
Rye, Owen (1981). Pottery Technology, Principles and Reconstruction. Taraxacum.
Rice, Prudence (1987). Pottery Analysis: a Sourcebook. U. of Chicago Press. [recommended]
1/13 Introduction
1/18-2/24 Ceramic production: principles and reconstruction
3/1-3/8 Vessel function: analysis of shape and use wear
3/10 Student projects: progress reports
[spring break]
3/16-3/18 Chemical and mineral characterization
3/29-4/14 Special topics (clay testing, use wear, residues, craft specialization, etc.)
4/19-4/26 Student projects (final reports)
4/28 Wrap-up and course evaluation
5/3 Final exam (8 am)
5/5 Paper due
Lab Exercise 1. Identification of Manufacturing Processes.
Lab Exercise 2. Identification of Temper and Decorative Technique.
Lab Exercise 3. Rim Profiles and Diameters.
Lab Exercise 4. Critical Points in Vessel Profiles.
Lab Exercise 5. Petrographic Observation of Thin Sections.
Last modified 5-15-05.