A3TEX Research Center Summer School

52 hours of intensive training combining:

• Lectures on theoretical foundations and case studies;
• Laboratory sessions with advanced analytical equipment;
• Practical exercises on archaeological textile specimens;
• Seminars with international experts;
• On-site workshops at archaeological museums.

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.

Prof. Marco Galli | Course Director
Professor of Classical Archaeology, Sapienza; Founder and Director of A3TEX Research Center; Principal Investigator of TEXTaiLES (HORIZON ECCCH) and ADigText (PRIN) projects. Expert in textile culture of the Roman Empire and Greek-speaking provinces.

Dr. Francesca Coletti | Course Co-Director
Researcher (RTDA), Department of Scienze dellʼAntichità, Sapienza; Seal of Excellence awardee (MSCA 2023); Principal Investigator of DIGArTex project. Specialist in textile diagnostics, digitalization, and Vesuvian textile remains. Published seminal research on garment imprints on Pompeiiʼs plaster casts (2025).

Dr. Christina Margariti | Conservation Methods
2021 EUROPEAN HERITAGE AWARD WINNER Head of Applied Research, Directorate of Conservation, Hellenic Ministry of Culture; Former Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow (University of Copenhagen). Pioneer in analytical techniques for mineralized textiles and fiber identification protocols.

Dr. Ilaria Serafini | Archaeometric Analysis
Tenure Track Researcher, Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza; Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellow (Smithsonian Institution); Co-founder of D-ART srl. Developer of innovative proteomic methodologies for degraded archaeological textiles and LC-MS analytical methods for diagnostic markers.

Dr. Alessandro Ciccola | Spectroscopic Techniques
Researcher (RTDA), Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza; Co-founder of D-ART srl. Specialist in non-destructive spectroscopic analysis and SERS substrates for museum environment monitoring.

Dr. Vanessa Forte | Experimental Archaeology
Tenure Track Researcher, Department of Scienze dell’Antichità, Sapienza; Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow (Cambridge University). Expert in use-wear and residue analysis of textile tools from Neolithic to Roman periods.

Prof. Cristina Lemorini | Functional Analysis & Experimental Methods
Professor of Prehistory and Protohistory, Sapienza; Director of LTFAPA Laboratory. International expert in functional and
use-wear analysis and experimental archaeology of ancient craft activities, including textile production technologies.

Dr. Giacomo Casa | Pompeian Textile Archaeology
Archaeologist specializing in archaeology of production; PhD University of Bari. Active researcher in “Cultura Tessile a Pompei” project since 2017, investigating textile workshops through architectural analysis and archaeometric methods.

Dr. Federico Di Salvo | Textile Production in the Greek World
PhD fellow in Classical Archaeology, Sapienza. Specialist in textile archaeology of Ionian Asia Minor, with expertise in loom weights, iconography, and experimental weaving protocols for decorated ancient fabrics.

Dr. Jacopo Conti | Digital Documentation
Assistant Researcher, A3TEX Center. Expert in photogrammetry, 3D reconstruction, and computational geometry for textile heritage documentation. Active in TEXTaiLES European Project (HORIZON ECCCH).

Mr. Ettore Pizzuti | Experimental Textile Technologies
Italian specialist in experimental archaeology. Expert in reconstruction of ancient spinning and weaving techniques, including warp-weighted looms and tablet weaving. Collaborator with major Italian museums and universities.

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 masterʼs 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.

CREDITS 5 ECTS

COURSE COSTS 800,00 EU

What’s Included

✓ museum visits and transport to Nemi
✓ 52 hours of lectures, seminars, and laboratory sessions
✓ Access to advanced analytical equipment
✓ Analysis of authentic archaeological specimens
✓ All laboratory materials and consumables
✓ Course materials and bibliography