This course is organised in the form of ‘lecture’ sessions and practical work carried out in the research lab technothèque (practical exercises). It is intended for students in the Master 1 prehistory programme at the University of Paris Nanterre, but is also open to all students, including those from other universities.
This seminar will focus on the use of earth for both the construction of buildings and the manufacture of vessels used for a variety of purposes. Using a systemic approach, this seminar aims to introduce students to the technological interpretation of earthen remains. In the case of pottery, students will be taught how to recognise the criteria used to reconstruct the various stages in the manufacture and use of objects. Case studies developed on the Near Eastern and European Neolithic will show them how the technological analysis of archaeological ceramics helps to retrace the social and cultural history of ancient societies. In the case of earthen architecture, the aim will also be to show students the need to combine macroscopic field analysis with laboratory analysis using micromorphology. Social aspects will be addressed through case studies focusing on the Near East and the Caucasus during recent prehistory.

The seminar programme