Scientific Director: G. Marsili, C. Lamanna
Period: 2-6 February 2026, h. 9.30-13.30
Attendance: in presence
Place: Department of History and cultures, Piazza S. Giovanni in Monte 2, Bologna; BIGEA, Piazza porta san Donato.
Admitted students: 10
Email: giulia.marsili2@unibo.it; claudia.lamanna2@unibo.it
Aime
The workshop aims to teach both the theoretical and practical aspects of studying ancient stone materials, covering both petrographic and archaeological perspectives—from excavation to publication (cataloging, graphic and photographic documentation, 2D and 3D drawing, and petrographic characterization). Practical exercises will be conducted using archaeological material from the Via d’Azeglio excavation in Ravenna, with direct surveying experiences in Bologna and Ravenna.
Program
The first section of the workshop focuses on the petrographic study of stone materials. It provides students with the fundamental knowledge related to rock characterization and the types of scientific analyses applied to ancient materials for lithotype identification. Students will have the opportunity to observe and analyze thin sections made from the stone materials of Via d’Azeglio.
The second section, with an archaeological focus, consists of lectures and practical exercises. The lectures provide students with fundamental knowledge about stoneworking techniques, from quarrying to installation, and about the types of architectural and liturgical furnishings used in antiquity, using digital resources to illustrate tools and artisanal practices. Through hands-on exercises, students will acquire skills in traditional drawing techniques, 2D and 3D digital survey (photogrammetry, lidar), and photographic documentation of artifacts.
The workshop includes approximately 25 hours of collective practical activities and 25 hours of individual work. This allows students to apply the methods of documentation, cataloging, drawing, and photographing artifacts learned during the sessions.
By the end of the workshop, students will have acquired the fundamental methodology for studying ancient stone artifacts. This includes manual drawing skills, recognizing traces of workmanship, identifying lithotypes through petrographic analysis, and historically and archaeologically contextualizing the artifacts.
Suggested readings
Gnoli R. 1989, Marmora romana, Roma.
Borghini G. (ed.) 1989, Marmi Antichi I, Roma.
Pensabene P. 1998, Marmi antichi II: cave e tecnica di lavorazione, provenienze e distribuzione, Roma.
Del Bufalo D., Marmi colorati: le pietre e l'architettura dall'antico al barocco, Roma 2003.
Lazzarini L., Pietre e marmi antichi: natura, caratterizzazione, origine, storia d'uso, diffusione, collezionismo, Padova 2004.
Lazzarini L., Pisa 2007, PoikiloiLithoi, Versiculores Maculae. I marmi colorati della Grecia antica: storia, uso, diffusione, cave, geologia.
