1st Archaeological Micromorphology Summer School - Padova | DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES

1st Archaeological Micromorphology Summer School - Padova

The first Archaeological Micromorphology Summer School will be held at the Department of Geosciences, University of Padova (Italy), from September 8^nd to 12^th, 2025.

The course will be led by Prof. Cristiano Nicosia (University of Padova), Dr. Federico Polisca (University of Padova), and Dr. Matthew Canti (Historic England).

The training will take place in a state-of-the-art microscopy classroom, fully equipped with Zeiss microscopes and a Wi-Fi camera system, enabling participants to capture and share photomicrographs. The course is based on an extensive collection of thin sections, including both natural soil samples and archaeological specimens from sites worldwide, accumulated over 20 years of research.

Additionally, part of the collection comes from the late Prof. G. Stoops, kindly donated by the University of Ghent (Belgium). Participants will also gain hands-on experience in thin section preparation, using the new micromorphology laboratory at the University of Padova, which is equipped with cutting-edge machinery for the production of soil and sediment thin sections.

This course is designed for up to 20 participants, accommodating both beginners and more experienced micromorphologists. It includes an introduction to soil micromorphological description, followed by in-depth discussion on current archaeological topics in micromorphology and the analysis of archaeological thin sections. Participants will also have the opportunity to study the thin section collection available at the University of Padova and to discuss their own thin sections, which they are encouraged to bring to the course.

The course will cover the following topics:

Standard thin section description: Porosity; Microstructure; C/f related distribution; Mineral and organic coarse fraction; Mineral inclusions of biogenic origin; Groundmass, b-fabric, Pedofeatures.
Specific features in archaeological thin sections: features in archaeological thin sections: fire-related features; excrements & coprolites; animal gathering features; effects of tillage and deforestation; ancient agricultural terraces; buried soils; trampling; cultural layers; Dark Earth; floors; earth-based construction materials; waste heaps; shell middens; metalworking; ditches & moats; experimental materials (burnt chaff, dung).

The course will be organised in short 30 min/1 h lessons and long practical sessions with one microscope per participant. The time dedicated to archaeological topics can be balanced according to the participants’ research interests.

Here the detailed program

Training fees

The training fee is 400€ for the entire week (Monday to Friday, 08:30–17:30). The fee covers full participation in the course only. Attendees are responsible for arranging their own accommodation and meals.

Where?

The course will be held at the Department of Geosciences (Room 1B), located at Via Gradenigo 6, Padova (Italy). The department is approximately a 20-minute walk from Padova’s main train station.

How to get to Padova and the Department

Application