The A3TEX Summer School aims to provide participants with theoretical and practical training on the methodologies for studying, analyzing, and preserving archaeological textile artifacts. The program adopts an interdisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from archaeology, materials science, and advanced diagnostic techniques. In collaboration with TEXTaiLES, the A3TEX Summer School offers an introduction to the most innovative digital tools and techniques for textile heritage documentation and communication.

Through lectures, laboratory exercises, and direct analysis of numerous case studies of ancient textile artifacts, participants will acquire theoretical and practical knowledge to document, analyze, and preserve archaeological textile remains, with a particular focus on diagnostic protocols for degradation assessment and musealization. Technical-scientific aspects of textile studies and critical evaluations of analysis procedures will be discussed concerning material types and their conservation status.

The training program will be complemented by a visit to the Museum of Roman Ships in Nemi, where participants will engage in seminars and practical exercises in experimental and digital archaeology.

Program

The A3TEX Summer School program is structured into five thematic modules covering the main aspects of studying, diagnosing, and preserving archaeological textile heritage.

Module 1: Archaeological Study of Ancient Textile Artifacts

• Historical-archaeological introduction to textile production: ancient craftsmanship practices, textile chaîne opératoire, and contexts.
• Investigation protocols based on historical-archaeological research: protocol structure and methodologies to address historical and archaeological questions.
• Interdisciplinary approaches: strategies for collaboration with experts from various disciplines to achieve accurate and meaningful results.

Module 2: Textile Heritage Valorization and Communication

• Strategies for exhibiting and communicating archaeological textile heritage in museums.
• Digital technologies: 3D modeling, augmented reality, and other innovative solutions for virtual conservation and accessibility. Camera Properties Definition: Learn to optimize camera settings (focal length, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) for capturing high-quality images, ensuring precision in the 3D digitization process. Data Collection: Engage in hands-on exercises to capture overlapping images from multiple angles, creating a comprehensive dataset essential for robust Structure from Motion processing.

• 3D Reconstruction: Utilize photogrammetry algorithms to align images, generate dense point clouds, and reconstruct detailed, textured 3D models from real-world textile artifacts.

Module 3: Preventive Conservation and Restoration Techniques

• Methods for assessing the degradation status of archaeological textiles.
• Techniques for preventive conservation: environmental conditions, support materials, and packaging techniques.
• Development of conservation and restoration intervention plans for archaeological textile artifacts.

Module 4: Diagnostics and Archaeometric Analysis

• Analytical techniques for characterizing textile materials:
  • Optical, digital, and scanning electron microscopy.
  • Infrared and Raman spectroscopy.
  • Liquid chromatography for dye analysis.
  • Extraction techniques for proteomic identification.
• Application of archaeometric analyses for textile artifact conservation.

Module 5: Enhancing Analytical Skills in Laboratory Practice

• Documentation and identification of textile weaves.
• Analysis and characterization of textile fibers and metal threads.
• Dye extraction and analysis using mass spectrometry.
• Interpretation of spectra obtained from proteomic analyses for fiber species identification.

Methodology

The program includes a coordinated structure of theoretical lectures, seminars, case study analysis, and practical laboratory activities. Participants will not only integrate theoretical knowledge with direct work on archaeological samples but also engage with experts from various disciplines, developing skills applicable in academic, museum, and conservation fields.

Audience

The A3TEX Summer School is designed for master's degree students, PhD candidates, post-docs, researchers, and professionals in the cultural heritage sector, including archaeologists, art historians, conservators, museum curators, and specialists in diagnostics, conservation, or restoration of cultural heritage and materials science interested in advanced methodologies for studying archaeological textile heritage.

  Dr. Francesca Coletti, Researcher (RTDA) at the Department of Scienze dell’Antichità, Sapienza; post-doctoral researcher at Dep. Scienze dell’Antichità, Sapienza.

 Dr.Alessandro Ciccola, Researcher (RTDA), Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza; post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Chemistry, Sapienza.

 Dr. Vanessa Forte, Tenure Track Researcher Dep. Scienze dell’Antichità, Sapienza.

Prof. Dr. Marco Galli, Classical Archaeologist, Dep. Scienze dell’Antichità, Sapienza.

 Dr. George Alexis Ioannakis, Assistant Researcher at the Institute for Language and Speech Processing (ILSP) of the Athena Research Center (ARC), Greece.

Dr. Christina Margariti, 2021 European Heritage Award winner, Head of the Applied Research Department at the Directorate of Conservation/Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

Dr. Ilaria Serafini, Tenure Track Researcher, Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza.