LaPArS - Laboratory of Prehistory and Experimental Archaeology
The Laboratory was created in 2010 as a "container" for scientific and didactic activities relating to Prehistory, developed at the University of Sassari, and in particular those pertaining to the teaching of Palethnology. The principal interest of the research is directed at phenomena of European and Mediterranean Prehistory, with particular attention to craft production and the reconstruction of paleo-economic and paleo-environmental models.
The Laboratory undertakes research activities aimed at the understanding of problems related to craft production with a morphological - techno-functional approach, with the intention of identifying the methods of locating and recovering prime materials, the sequences of transformation and the usage of various resources in prehistory, including through the application of experimental archaeology.
The Laboratory conducts theoretical and practical didactic activities, such as university stages, seminars and study days, which are aimed at widening the fields of study offered by the University and broadening the spectrum of investigation into the various areas of research, favouring interaction between the various disciplines; these often involve the participation of important figures from the international scientific community.
Activities centred on experimental archaeology are encouraged, especially through events organised in collaboration with public and private bodies, with the aim of reaching as many people and organisations as possible, in order to encourage greater sensibility to the themes of heritage and the many related fields of scientific research. Some of these initiatives directed towards a wider public, in particular to pupils of primary and secondary schools, as an early approach to "understanding the life of prehistoric man".
Other activities include, consultancies, studies and divulgation in the field of heritage for both public and private organisations and associations.
The Laboratory is open to lecturers and assistants, students, post-graduates as well as local and international specialists.
The LaPArS website was born as a support tool for research and scientific explanation, illustrating the activities and research projects of the Laboratory. In the sections dedicated to research the texts are presented with a bibliography, for the most part compiled during activities run by the Laboratory. Some texts are available to be downloaded.