Maria Elena Bertoli

Why did you decide to take part in the VDR scheme?

My PhD “The fibre revolution in Bronze Age northern Italy: investigating textile economies in transition from plant fibres to wool” aims to investigate the modes and times of the adoption of wool during Bronze Age (c. 2200-1200 BCE) northern Italy. During a 3-month stay at the University of Padua, Italy I had the opportunity to access the main museums and institutions where the textiles and textile tools from Bronze Age northern Italy are currently preserved. Therefore, the VDR scheme was crucial for the completion of the data collection for the PhD. The VDR also gave me the opportunity to work with Professor Margarita Gleba, one of the main experts in textile archaeology.

Where did you go for your VDR stay and what did you do?

For my 3-months VDR, I decided to go to the University of Padua, Italy and I chose Professor Margarita Gleba as my academic supervisor.

During the VDR, I visited the institutions and museums where the textiles and textile tools from Bronze Age northern Italy involved in my research are currently preserved and, in some cases, on display. I measured and photographed the textile tools and analysed with a portable Dino-Lite digital microscope the textiles.

When the required permissions where in place, I sampled the archaeological textiles to conduct fibre analyses. I analysed the samples with the SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) at the Centre for Analyses and Certification Services (CEASC) of the University of Padua.

During my stay, I also conducted bibliographical research on the archaeological sites involved in the PhD in the Library of the History of Visual Arts and Music of the University of Padua.

Finally, I had the opportunity to present my research at the International Conference organised by the PhD students of the Department of Cultural Heritage of the University of Padua (14^th-15^th November 2024) and at the Textile Archaeology Study Day organised by Professor Margarita Gleba at the Department of Cultural Heritage of the University of Padua (9^th December 2024).

What aspects of the VDR did you find most rewarding?

The VDR at the University of Padua, Italy helped me in getting access to the main museums and institutions in northern Italy where the textile tools and the textiles discovered in the archaeological sites involved in my research are preserved. It was rewarding to see the data coming together and it will be exciting to process the data collected in the next few months and gain the first results.

Another aspect of the VDR that I found extremely gratifying was the opportunity to build connections with the other researchers currently working on archaeological textiles in the Department of Cultural Heritage of the University of Padua.

Has the VDR influenced your research project or future plans? How?

The VDR at the University of Padua has positively influenced my future career plans. The VDR gave me the opportunity to broaden my network of relationships with other academics, researchers, and museum curators.

What are some of the skills you have improved or opportunities which have come out as a result of your stay?

During my VDR, I had the possibility to get specific training in the fibre analysis with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

During my 3-month stay, I was also given the opportunity to present my research to a wider public at an International Conference and at a Study Day in the Department of Cultural Heritage of the University of Padua.

Do you have any tips for researchers looking to take part in the VDR scheme?

To other researchers interested in taking part the VDR scheme, I would suggest to identify an institution and an academic supervisor that can help them in developing their research. I think that it is crucial to choose an institution that can help the researcher to develop the skills and acquire specific training for the successful completion of the PhD.

Where can people find out more? 

Find out more about the Department of Cultural Heritage at the University of Padua here: https://www.beniculturali.unipd.it/www/homepage/