Doctorate Mark Van Horn Has tracked down the economic networks of the former Roman Empire through its cooking pots. It turns out that family farmers among a network of rural sites in the south of Tuscany have made very little of their own ceramics, as had been the long -standing hypothesis, but rather imported them from producers who have them done 50 kilometers or more. Van Horn determined this thanks to a scientific technique known as ceramic petrography, a competence it has made it possible to work with mentors in the Center for the analysis of archaeological materials (CAAM).
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“Caam has been an integral part of my whole thesis and my graduate experience,” explains Van Horn, who will soon defend his doctorate. Dissertation in art and archeology of the Mediterranean world at Penn Arts and Sciences School.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of Caam, a joint company between Penn Arts & Sciences and the Penn Museum. Some 2,600 students went through the Center, which teaches and supervises undergraduate students and higher cycles in a range of crucial scientific techniques for archaeologists and other researchers. It provides laboratory and class facilities, equipment, equipment and staff staff while students seek to interpret the past in an interdisciplinary context that links natural sciences, social sciences and human sciences.
It all started when Marie-Claude Boileau, director of Caam and specialist in teaching for ceramics, and Thomas TartaronAssociate professor of classical studies and executive director of the CAAM, gathered a laboratory to understand the production, use and cultural significance of ancient ceramics. It was a proof of concept which was so successful, according to Tartaron, that he inspired an ad hoc committee to discuss the promotion of archaeological education in Penn.
“We were originally interested in setting up a series of archaeological laboratories, but this led to the idea of forming a partnership between SAS and Le Penn Museum, and just as important, to launch an associated study program “Explains Tartaron. “We wanted the center concerning teaching and mentoring, not only on research, and with the support of donors, we were able to make CAAM a reality in 2014.”
Boileau notes that they were reflected in the development of Cours Caam. They wanted courses given by specialists who could present archaeological sciences in an applied and practical manner to any student in Penn, first -year -old students in advanced doctorate. students. Today, the program covers metal, ceramic and stone analysis; botanical and zoological remains; and conservation. “We are unique at the Penn Museum with access to its incredible collections,” explains Boileau. “We have really spent the last decade to make sure that we are at the forefront of the teaching of archaeological sciences.”
Since 2014, more than 20 courses have been created or adapted for the CAAM study program. Although CAAM is not a diploma program, it offers a minor in archaeological sciences, a certificate of graduate in archaeological sciences and the possibility of independent studies. CAAM also has graduate scholarships and assistanates in collaboration with Le Penn Museum.
This story is from Katelyn Silva. Learn more about Omnia.