Course Archaeology and the third dimension: visualizing, analyzing, modelling

3D methods are becoming increasingly common in the digital archaeological toolbox. They have found a broad range of applications in the field, in post-ex documentation and in research and operate on multiple scale, from intricate small find studies to landscape reconstruction.
In this PhD course, we will explore selected 3D methods concerning field documentation, research on complex urban stratigraphy, archaeological artefacts and predictive modelling of urban deposits. We will focus on concrete experiences, highlighting the contribution of certain tools and case-studies to our knowledge about the past. The course also aims at discussing the potential and pitfalls of using 3D methods. Are they used as a hammer to hit all nails, or do they truly make a difference?
The course will consist of lectures, presentations of current research taking place at AU/Campus Moesgaard student presentations, and round-table discussions.
Key questions may include (but are not limited to):
• What difference does the 3rd dimension make?
• How can we shed new light on data and artefacts in the archives through 3D techniques?
• How and when are 3D methods really cost-effective?
• How is the data produced sustainably as it is contingent on rapid technological developments and issues of storage?
The course will be a one-day course hosted at the Centre for Urban Network Evolutions (UrbNet), Aarhus University.
Students are expected to provide a case study that they will present at the course. The exact format of this will be adjusted according to the number of participants. The PhD students will thus actively contribute to the course by presenting their own research and will be asked to reflect upon the course’s outcomes and consequences on their PhD project during a round-table discussion at the end of the day. In so doing, the course aims to provide the participants with a forum to discuss their work with peers and specialists and to receive feedback.

Aim:

The aim is to encourage students from all fields of archaeology to consider, discuss and reflect upon the potential and pitfalls of applying 3D techniques in their own research.
The course will offer research-led teaching on case studies, methods and techniques using 3D approaches.
It will focus on two main objectives:
• Become familiar with 3D methods and approaches, with their potential and limitations
• Reflect upon the growing integration of digital methods in archaeological practice and research

Literature:

No literature required.

Target group:

Early and late stage PhD.

Form:

Preliminary programme
09.00 Welcome and introduction
09.10 Guest lecture 1
09.50 Student presentation 1-4
10.35 Break
10.50 Guest lecture 2
11.30 Student pres 4-8
12.15 Lunch
13.15 Presentation of cases 1-3
14.30 Break
14.50 Student reflection and discussion (individual / in group)
15.30 Round table discussion: reflection on methods in connection with the Phd projects
16.30 Thank you & Evaluation

There will be a social event after the course.

Lecturers:

Knut Paasche, Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU), knut.paasche@niku.no

1 more lecturer is planned (TBA)

Additional information:

Once the participation to the course has been confirmed, each participant has to submit the following by 19th of May to Kirstine Haase (kirha@cas.au.dk):
A case study of 3-4 pages (including bibliography), which deals with the topic of the course. The cases can relate to their own project, previous experience, or a case inspired by academic literature. These will be pre-circulated among the guest speakers and PhD students before the course.

The participants will be required to present their case study during the course. The presentation will last approximately 10 mins (depending on the number of participants) and will be followed by a Q&A session in which the students will receive feedback by the lecturers and their peers.

Venue:

Centre for Urban Network Evolutions, Aarhus University (Campus Moesgaard), building 4230.

Course dates:

• 01 June 2023 09:00 - 16:30