A3TEX Research Center Summer School 2025

The A3TEX Summer School program is structured into five thematic modules:

Module 1: Archaeological Study of Ancient Textile Artifacts

• Historical-archaeological introduction to textile production: ancient craftsmanship practices, textile chaîne opératoire, and contexts.
• Analytical protocols based on textile research: approaches and methodologies to address historical and archaeological questions.
• Interdisciplinary approaches: strategies for fostering collaboration between experts from multiple disciplines and research fields to achieve accurate and meaningful results.

Module 2: Enhancement and Communication of Textile Heritage

• Strategies for exhibiting and communicating archaeological textiles in museums.
• Digital technologies: 3D modeling, augmented reality, and other innovative solutions for virtual reconstruction 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.

• Focus on emblematic case studies related to strategies for musealizing and communicating textile artifacts to different audience types.

Module 3: Preventive and Interventive Conservation Techniques

• Assessing the state of preservation of archaeological textiles.
• Techniques for preventive conservation: environmental conditions, support materials, and packaging techniques.
• Development of interventive conservation plans for archaeological textile artifacts.

Module 4: Archaeometric Analysis for research and conservation

• Analytical techniques for characterising textile materials:
• Optical, digital, and scanning electron microscopy.
• FT-IR spectroscopy, Ramans Sers and Raman spectroscopy.
• Liquid chromatography for dye analysis.
• Extraction techniques for proteomic identification.

Module 5: Enhancing Analytical Skills in Laboratory Practice

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

Dr. Francesca Coletti, Researcher (RTDA) at the Dep. of Scienze dell’Antichità (Dep. SdA), Sapienza; Seal of Excellence post-doc res. 2023 European MSCA Post-Doctoral Fellowship program; co-tutelle PhD Sapienza and Heidelberg University; MA in Classical Archaeology from Sapienza.
Dr. Coletti is an expert in textile culture in antiquity; her research focuses on diagnostics, analysis, and digitalization of archaeological and historical textile heritage, as well as weaving and dyeing techniques of Greek-Roman time. In 2025, published a seminal book on the collection of textile remains from the Vesuvian area, including innovative research on imprints of garments detected on the plaster casts of Pompeii’s victims. Since 2017, she teaches “Archaeology and Archaeometry of Textiles” and “History, Production, and Conservation of Heritage Textiles” at the SARAS Dep. In 2023, she joined the A3TEX Center, contributing to the HORIZON Project TEXTaiLES and the ADigText PRIN Project. She is currently the Principal Investigator of DIGArTex – Archaeology, Archaeometry, and DIGital technologies for the investigation of Archaeological TEXtiles (PNRR Young Researchers 2024).

Dr. Alessandro Ciccola, Researcher (RTDA), Dep. of Environmental Biology, Sapienza; pos-tdoc res. at the Dep. of Chemistry, Sapienza; PhD in Chemical Sciences; MA/BA in Chemistry, Ferrara University. He is also co-founder of D-ART srl, a university startup dedicated to transferring new analytical technologies into diagnostics and conservation of cultural heritage.
He has made significant contributions to the field of chemistry applied to cultural heritage, introducing advanced analytical methodologies for diagnosing and preserving textile materials: Using advanced spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques, he focused on a better understanding of the aging and degradation processes of textiles. Currently, he is developing SERS substrates for detecting pollutants in museum environments. This innovative technology enables the sensitive and selective identification of compounds potentially harmful to artworks, contributing to their preventive conservation.

Dr. Vanessa Forte, Tenure Track Researcher Dep. of Scienze dell’Antichità, Sapienza; Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, Cambridge University; post-doc res. at Pisa and Padua Universities; Ph.D/MA/BA in Archaeology, Sapienza.
Dr. Forte’s research exemplifies an innovative multidisciplinary approach, integrating archaeology, materials science, and experimental methods. Her research has bridged gaps between these fields, providing deeper insights into the technological choices and social behaviors of ancient communities. In recent years, Dr. Forte has developed a methodology to study the use of textile tools by integrating use-wear and residue analysis with experimental archaeology. By replicating ancient techniques of textile manufacturing, she has been able to interpret the functional aspects of artifacts and the skills of their makers. Applying this approach to weaving tools from contexts ranging from the Neolithic to the Roman period, Dr Forte’s studies enhanced our understanding of ancient textile technologies.

Prof. Dr Marco Galli, Full professor of Classical Archaeology at the Department of Scienze dell’Antichità, Sapienza University of Rome. MA Classics Bologna University; PhD Cologne (D); postdoc researcher at DFG (D), Gerda Henkel Foundation, German Archaeologist Institute (DAI Rome-Berlin), Columbia University of New York.
He is Founder and Director of Sapienza Research Center A3TEX Archaeoloegy&Archaeometry of Ancient Textile; Associated Researcher ISPC-CNR (I), Visiting Professor at the Winckelmann Institute at the Humboldt University of Berlin, Membro Corrispondente dell’ Istituto Archaeologico Germanico (D); membro straniero della Mommsen-Gesellschaft (D).
He is an expert of Archaeology of Roman Empire and Greek speaking provinces; he is Principal Investigator of: the Textile Culture at Pompei Project, TEXTaiLES Project/HORIZON ECCCH, PRIN 2022 ADigText Project, Basilica Iulia at the Roman Forum Project. He currently takes part the archaeological mission at Teos (Izmir), University of Ankara.
He is founder and editor in chief of Asia Minor. An International Journal of Archaeology in Turkey, Serra Editore; MAC International Series (Mediterranean Architecture in Context), Zero Books / Ege Publications; co-editor of Analysis Archaeologica: an international journal of Western Mediterranean archaeology, Quasar; membro del Editorial board di Archeologia Classica, Sapienza Università di Roma; di The Journal of Ancient Architecture, Serra Editore; di Urban Spaces International Series, De Gruyter.

Dr. George Alexis Ioannakis, Principal Researcher at the Institute for Language and Speech Processing (ILSP) of the Athena Research Center (ARC), Greece; MEng in Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and PhD from Electrical and Computer Engineering department of Democritus University of Thrace.
Dr. Ioannakis’s interdisciplinary approach advanced technologies to enhance the analysis and preservation of cultural heritage, contributing significantly to the fields of digital humanities and archaeological research. His research significantly impacted the fields of photogrammetry, 3D reconstruction, and computational geometry applied to the documentation and preservation of Textile Heritage. Since 2024 he coordinates the European project TEXTaiLES (Horizon ECCCH 01_02), focused on designing a comprehensive technological ecosystem for managing the entire lifecycle of textile digitalization, from data collection to digital restoration and long-term preservation of ancient textiles, through the integration of advanced technologies that combine artificial intelligence with 3D modeling.

Dr. Christina Margariti, 2021 European Heritage Award winner, PhD/MA in Textile Conservation at the Textile Conservation Centre/University of Southampton; BA(Hons) in Conservation, University of the Arts London. She is the Head of the Applied Research Dep. at the Directorate of Conservation/Hellenic Ministry of Culture.
Dr. Margariti is renowned for her significant contributions to the conservation of archaeological textiles. She has conducted pioneering research on the application of advanced analytical techniques for the study and preservation of ancient fabrics, addressing challenges in preserving mineralized textiles, applying non-destructive analytical techniques to study and protect these fragile materials. Her research has provided crucial insights into the composition and technology of ancient fabrics, contributing to their preservation and understanding. As Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellow at the University of Copenhagen (project FIBRANET, 2017-2019), she investigated textile degradation in archaeological contexts, providing reference data for fiber identification and developing strategies for their conservation. Additionally, she studied the effects of carbonization on textile fiber morphology, generating valuable data for identifying carbonized fabrics. Since 2018 she is collaborating with A3TEX Center on projects like HORIZON TEXTaiLES developing advanced analytical techniques for studying and digitazing heritage textiles, so improving both knowledge and conservation of textile heritage

The program includes theoretical lectures, seminars, case study analysis, and laboratory activities. Participants will integrate theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience while engaging with experts from various disciplines, developing skills applicable to academic, museum, and conservation fields.

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.

June 30 – July 5, 2025 – Lectures and laboratory sessions from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (see the attached time schedule below).

Saturday, July 5 – Guided tour with a seminar and practical training in experimental archaeology and digitisation at the Museum of Roman Ships in Nemi (RM). 

Tuesday, July 1 h. 18:00-20:00 ca

A visit to the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia is scheduled to examine and discuss materials related to Etruscan textile culture, including mineralized fabrics and other artifacts, guided by the Museum’s Director.

CREDITS 5 ECTS                       
COURSE COSTS 800,00 EU

A limited number of single (event. double rooms) will be available (June 29 – July 6, 7 nights = 490, EU) at the Sapienza Guesthouse, located at Via Volturno, 42, with kitchen access. 

Each participant is offered 5 meal/snack lunch bonuses from 30 June to 4 July.                         

https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/foresteria-sapienza

https://youtu.be/xPtRB-morEY