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2026-2027 / HULG0527-1

Conservation workshop, restoration of ceramics "Workshop on cleaning, sticking and marking archaeological ceramics" module

Duration

Number of credits

 Master in history of art and archaeology : archeometry, research focus5 crédits 

Lecturer

Catherine Cools

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Archaeological Conservation and Restoration

Archaeological Ceramics in a Museum Context

The work focuses on documentation, description, the reversal of previous restorations,
and both preventive and curative conservation.

Practical Objectives :

  • Identify the constituent materials, manufacturing techniques, and forms of deterioration
    affecting archaeological ceramics.
  • Document objects: photography (visible light, UV), bibliographic research, and artistic
    and scientific analysis.
  • Sort, clean, mark, and assemble sherds.
  • Reverse previous restoration treatments that have aged poorly, based on criteria
    regarding object stability and legibility.
  • Prepare and apply consolidants suitable for porous or vitrified ceramics exhibiting
    cohesion issues (cracks, powdering, devitrification, etc.).
  • Prepare material for transport or for short- or long-term storage.
  • Draft identification and treatment records and maintain an inventory of the objects.
Materials used :

Archaeological ceramics held at the Grand Curtius Museum.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

By the end of this course unit, the student will be able to:

  • consult relevant bibliographic resources for preventive conservation in a treatment laboratory
  • apply a basic management protocol for archaeological ceramic artifacts: sorting, marking, and assembly/bonding
  • use appropriate conservation tools and materials

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

None

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

Learning by doing fosters student autonomy and responsibility, as students take charge of their own learning. Furthermore, it encourages students to solve problems and engage in a variety of tasks involving planning, structuring, and production.

This methodology relies on continuous student inquiry and autonomy; students learn through exploration and understanding.

https://additioapp.com/fr/qu-est-ce-que-la-pedagogie-de-projet-et-comment-la-travailler-en-classe/

In practice, teachers alternate between expository, demonstrative, and questioning methods. Their primary role is to guide and support students in managing their projects. A participatory spirit, critical thinking, initiative, and experimentation are encouraged.

Each student records their actions and research in a logbook; this working method allows for an iterative learning process and serves as an essential reference tool (for dates, administrative and scientific data, discussions, etc.). 

 

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

In-person

Workshop class

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Other site(s) used for course materials
- Sharepoint (https://saintlucbe0.sharepoint.com/sites/uliege-esacroa/)

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Further information:

Evaluation Criteria

  • Workshop performance (photos, recording sheets, processing, progress) | 50%
  • Report | 50%

Work placement(s)

None

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

For the 2026-2027 academic year

Classes are held in the Art Conservation-Restoration studios at the École supérieure des Arts Saint-Luc (Boulevard de la Constitution 41 - 4020 Liège).

Building C - 2nd floor - Ceramics corridor

Classes will be held on Thursdays between 8:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., starting October 1, 2026.

 

Contacts

cools.catherine@saint-luc.be 

Association of one or more MOOCs

There is no MOOC associated with this course.


Further information:

None