The project

"Gatzea II" is a one-week educational seminar on historical stratigraphy, the case study of which will be an old olive oil mill.

The seminar focuses on the comprehension of the different periods of any historical construction. Buildings are always modified over time, leaving signs of these transformations on the structure. These signs can be easily traced by attentive observation. Stratigraphic analysis is the tool for research which, systematizing  observation, offers the researcher comprehension of all changes as well as their chronological order. The methodology is developed following the principles of archaeological stratigraphy by Dr. Edward C. Harris, which allows recording evidences of sequential development and dating.

Through this seminar participants will practise team work on a real case, essential for the application of this methodology, gain skills to better understand historical buildings and learn how to use a rigorous recording system. The educational scheme is based on implementing the analysis of the different phases of a historical building, an olive oil mill.

Contents

Seminar outline

Day 1

Theory: Introduction; Historical context; Site visit; Methodology and terminology; Auxiliary disciplines (History & Survey).

Days 2-4

Practice: Teamwork: Stratigraphic study of the olive oil mill.

Day 5

Theory: Matrix and Data control.

Practice: Teamwork on data processing.

Day 6

Final report; Presentations, Closing event.

Day 7

Excursion (optional).