Dr Agnese Benzonelli
- Senior Teaching Associate in Archaeological Science
- Research Associate, McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research
About
My background is in chemistry and physics applied to the study of cultural and archaeological artefacts. I have extensive experience in the use of multiple analytical techniques to research glass, metals, ceramics, slags, rocks, pigments and conservation materials.
I worked for seven years in the archaeological science laboratories at UCL, where I was responsible for sample preparation and analysis of archaeomaterials. I taught materials science applied to archaeology, supervised students dissertations, and trained researchers in the lab.
I obtained a PhD in Archaeological Science at UCL, with a research project that combined historical, experimental and archaeological approaches to study naturally and artificially patinated copper alloys.
I recently joined the McDonald Institute as a research associate on the ERC-funded Reverseaction project, where I am in charge of the investigation of metallic and lithic materials in stateless societies of Pre-Columbian Colombia.
Research
Research interests
- Material Culture
- Artefact Analysis and Technology
- Archaeometallurgy
My background and working experience have given me an invaluable opportunities to work with a wide range of materials, periods, and archaeological contexts. This is reflected in my diverse research paths and collaborations which range from the nanoparticles physics to history of science, including medieval stained glass, Minoan gold, Cypriot pottery, and African bronzes.
A key research interest of mine is the investigation of the different technologies used to artificially colour metals in archaeological and historical times. This is providing new insight into technological pathways to modify the materiality of metals, and the transmission of knowledge across cultures.
In my position at Cambridge, I will further develop my investigation of metals, stones, and their surfaces. The analysis of raw materials, technologies and skills involved in complex technologies such as goldwork will help us understand technical traditions, knowledge transmission, cross-craft interaction, and craft organisation in stateless Pre-Columbian societies.