Course description 

The course provides a broad overview and analysis of the threats on the archaeological landscape, sites, and artefacts and the mitigation and risk reduction actions adopted at a national and international scale.

The course comprises three groups of lectures:

• the first section will discuss the major risks to which archaeological sites and artefacts are exposed due to natural and anthropogenic factors of varying intensity (rare, common events or cumulative processes);

• the second section will introduce the national and international institutions, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and organizations involved in protecting archaeological heritage. Legislative instruments, conventions, charters, and international protocols will also be discussed;

• the third section of the course will explore some case studies proposed by students.

Topics discussed:

- Archaeological risk assessment

- Conservation of archaeological landscapes, sites, and objects

- Preventive Archaeology

- Climate change and archaeological sites

- Archaeology in conflict and post-conflict situations

- Looting and illegal trafficking of archaeological materials

- Tourism and archaeological heritage

- Ethics of archaeology

Requirements:

Attendance, class participation, and active discussion                               40% of grade

Final presentation  formal, conference-style, 20-minute presentation) 20% of grade 

A paper based on a case study (10 pages, double spaced)                        40% of grade