67497 - Archaeological Museography

Learning outcomes

The course aims to convey in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge on the debate relating to archaeological museum exhibitions. It intends to provide a precise framework of reference for the definition of the epistemological status of the discipline of museography, expressly applied to the archaeological exhibition context. At the end of the course the student masters the discipline that pertains to the dynamics inherent to the design transcription of a museological proposal and deals with the design and construction of buildings, museum spaces, exhibitions and museum itineraries; is able to grapple with various cases of museographic display, applied both to permanent exhibitions (museums) and to temporary exhibitions (exhibitions), as regards museum spaces (reception and information, management services and services for the public, relationship visitor-archaeological object), exhibition solutions (routes, showcases and display cases, supports, colours), educational supports (visit itineraries, signs, communication plan, IT solutions), notes on systems (lighting and air conditioning).

Course contents

The course retraces the first experiences of displaying ancient artefacts starting, in particular, from the classical age (Greek and Roman), passing through the Middle Ages up to the modern birth of museums.
In particular, it intends to focus on contemporary case studies, Italian and foreign, to compare the different methods of exhibition and teaching approach, starting from the multiple international collaborations of the Mann of Naples (Europe, United States, China and Japan, Australia, Africa) .
It also focuses on the specific case of the Mann in Naples, bringing to view first-hand documentation relating to the current installations, whether permanent or relating to temporary exhibitions on an archaeological theme, from the state of scientific planning to that of executive planning, tenders with tender specifications and lines site management guide, up to the analysis of the methods of use by the public, with a report on the elements of satisfaction and critical issues.

Particular attention will also be given to the new front of digital exhibitions and the relationship between digitalisation and exhibitions, digital exhibitions, transparent technology.


At the end of the course the student masters not only the specialized bibliography on the topic as regards the history of archaeological museography but is able to know step by step all the scientific, didactic, architectural and administrative processes that lead to the creation of a permanent or temporary, also by acquiring virtuous cost optimization strategies and practices.
Specific topics:

Setting up the ancient in the classical world:

Works of art in Greek temples

Remains of Greek art exhibited in Roman public and private monuments

Medieval abbeys and churches in relation to ancient finds

The Renaissance courts, the galleries and the ancient

The wunderkammers

The Enlightenment and museums

The nineteenth century, positivism and museums

The birth of the great imperial museums in Europe (Louvre, British, Ermitage, Berlin, Prado)

The archaeological museums of Greece

European archaeological museums of a territorial nature.

Italian archaeological museums: from the museums of the Pre-Unification Kingdoms to the national archaeological museums

The museums of Italian autonomy

American archaeological museums (North and South America)

Chinese archaeological museums

Japanese archaeological museums

Australian archaeological museums

The Arab museums


The archaeological museums of the North African coast

The Mann case:

the reorganization of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples

The archeology exhibitions in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples

The archeology exhibitions of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples abroad.

Readings/Bibliography

BIBLIOGRAFIA DI SUPPORTO NON OBBLIGATORIA MA CONSIGLIATA (presente online o disponibile su Virtuale)

Piano strategico del MANN 2016-2019 (scaricabile gratuitamente dal sito www.museoarcheologicodinapoli.it );

Piano strategico del Mann 2020-2023 (scaricabile gratuitamente dal sito www.museoarcheologicodinapoli.it )

Annual Report del Mann 2016/2023

Franca Semi, "A lezione con Carlo Scarpa", Cicero edizioni, Hoepli, 2010.

Philippe Duboÿ, Carlo Scarpa. L'arte di esporre, Johan & Levi, 2016.

Lucia Cataldo, Marta Paraventi, il museo oggi: linee guida per una museologia contemporanea, Hoepli, 2007.

Paolo Giulierini, Stupor Mundi, Milano, 2022.

Teaching methods

The course will be modulated on the cultural background of the attending students: some general introductory lessons may be foreseen (1 lesson) to compensate for any historical-archaeological gaps. Introductory lessons may cover: - Quick historical-archaeological notes on the civilizations that are exhibited in non-European museums; - Current legal definition of museum in light of the ICOM principles and the Cultural Heritage Code, main typologies according to the nature of ownership, contents, management forms.

Assessment methods

EXCELLENT RATING If the student demonstrates mastery of the subject, excellent exposition skills and logical connections between different historical-archaeological problems, he will obtain the maximum score (30). If the presentation is excellent, praise will be added.

GOOD OR FAIR RATING Students with basic knowledge who will be able to frame the topics even if using language that is not always appropriate to the topic will pass the exam. The assignment of a score more or less close to 29 will depend on the critical ability, the methodological autonomy demonstrated during the interview and the fluidity of the discourse that the student will be able to organize in response to the questions.


SUFFICIENT RATING Students with uneven basic knowledge and poor expository mastery, but who will be able to answer at least two questions correctly, demonstrating that they have carried out at least part of the work of preparing notes and/or texts, will obtain a score between 18 and 25.

NEGATIVE EVALUATION Students with incomplete preparation, no ability to analyze the discipline and who have not memorized the bibliography will not pass the exam.

Teaching tools

Power point presentations; specialist bibliography possibly indicated to anyone who requests it for further information; online teaching material (ONLY for attending students). Office hours: Thursday 12pm during class periods.

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Giulierini