Universidad de Jaén

THEORY

1. INTRODUCTION. Geology versus Archaeology. Geoarchaeology. Relation between Geoarchaeology and the Geological Sciences.
2. MINERALS AND ROCKS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTEREST. Mineral classification. Minerals of archaeological interest: oxides, carbonates, phosphates, halides, silicates. Petrological classification. Rocks of archaeological interest: sedimentary (clastic and non-clastic), volcanic, plutonic and metamorphic rocks. Examples of minerals and rocks in the archaeological record and in the cultural heritage.
3. SEDIMENTS AND SOILS. Concepts of sediment and sedimentary rock. Location in the rocks cycle. Soil concept. Soil development. The soils in the rocks cycle.
4. SEDIMENTARY CONTINENTAL ENVIRONMENTS AND PROCESSES. Fluvial, lacustrine, palustrine, desert, coastal, glacial, caves environments.
5. STRATIGRAPHY AND CORRELATION. Concepts and principles. Stratigraphic Units. Correlation.
6. DATING METHODS. Concept of the Geological Time. Basic principles of the Geology. Relative and numerical dating methods.
7. GEOCHEMISTRY. Basic concepts. Stable isotopes. Mayor, minor and trace elements. Applications to the palaeoenvironmental reconstruction.
8. QUATERNARY GEOLOGY. Concept. Climate evolution in the Quaternary. Palaeoecology. 

LABORATORY PRACTICES

P1. Use of visu and polarization microscopy to recognize minerals and rocks of archaeological interest.

P2. Interpretation of geological maps. Analysis of MAGNA (1:50.000) geological maps, identifying of quaternary sedimentary environments and modern geological processes.

FIELDTRIP PRACTICES. To visit a zone where it is possible to easily recognize the quaternary geological activity and how this is a condition to distribution and development of human/hominids activities from the study to archaeological site or by the modern activities.

THEORY LESSONS AT BIG GROUP (A01): in the classroom, the teacher shows the theory and methodology contents of the matter. The teacher will use diverse techniques to present the contents (audiovisual presentation, computer services, documents). The aim is to show the contents of the matter encouraging the critic discussion and reflection by the student.

LABORATORY PRACTICES (A02): to train to student in the use of the scientific instruments to acquire geological data from inorganic materials of archaeological interest (pottery, metals, rocks,).

FIELDTRIP PRACTICES (A02): to train to student in the use of methodology to acquire geological data and their application to archaeological record, to the archaeological heritage and their valuation. The aim is to close to student to knowledge of the archaeological record from the physical environment where the settlement is located and how they exploit the geological resources.

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

The end mark of the matter is the weighted average from the attendance/involvement (10%) in the development of the class, the theory exam (55%), the realization of works (10%) and the practice exam (25%). This weighted average will be calculate if the attendance/involvement to the theory and practice classes was the same or larger to 90% and the theory mark is greater that 5.