Lesson 1Materials science for ancient vehicles: wood types, metal fittings, leather, glue, paintThis section looks at the key materials in chariots, like strong woods for frames, metal bits, leather straps, sticky glues, and colourful paints, showing how their qualities, where they came from, and how they were joined affected strength, lightness, and looks.
Selecting and seasoning structural woodsBronze, iron, and mixed metal fittingsLeather types and tanning evidenceAncient glues and joint performancePigments, binders, and surface coatsMaterial sourcing and trade signalsLesson 2Axle and suspension systems: fixed axles, turning-axle mechanisms, bearings and lubrication evidenceThis section breaks down axle positions, suspension ideas, and turning setups in chariots, using signs of wear, fittings, and side-by-side mechanics to figure out speed, handling, and upkeep needs in various cultures.
Fixed axle layouts and stabilityEvidence for turning axlesSuspension concepts and limitsBearings, bushings, and linersLubricants and wear trace analysisImplications for speed and handlingLesson 3Dating and provenance: radiocarbon, dendrochronology, stratigraphy, typologyThis section explains combining radiocarbon dating, tree-ring analysis, site layers, and object styles to date chariot discoveries and trace their origins, stressing smart sampling, date adjustments, and local reference collections.
Sampling for radiocarbon datingDendrochronology and tree‑ring seriesStratigraphic context and phasingTypological seriations of fittingsIsotopes and regional sourcingIntegrating multiple dating linesLesson 4Harnessing, draft animals, and team configurations: horse tack, traces, bit types, single vs multi-horse teamsThis section digs into harness setups linking chariots to pulling animals, looking at bits, yokes, straps, and cushions, and compares one-horse, two-horse, or bigger teams to grasp pulling power, steering, and showy versus real-world uses.
Anatomy of the traction systemBits, cheekpieces, and controlYokes, collars, and breast strapsTraces, tugs, and attachment pointsSingle, pair, and larger teamsIconography versus functional rigsLesson 5Wheel construction and wheelwright techniques: spoked vs solid wheels, hub design, spoke count and load calculationsThis section zooms in on wheel building, pitting solid against spoked types, hub and rim designs, spoke layouts, and weight handling, revealing how tool scratches and breakages guide rebuilds of speed and craft skills.
Solid versus spoked wheel designsHub forms, boxes, and linchpinsSpoke count and load distributionFelloe joints and tire attachmentTool marks and repair evidenceTesting reconstructed wheel designsLesson 6Archaeological recovery and conservation of organic and metal componentsThis section covers how archaeologists rescue delicate wood, leather, and metal chariot pieces, steady them on-site and in labs, and record their state, focusing on proper care, undoable fixes, and safe long-term keeping.
Excavation strategies for vehicle remainsLifting fragile wood and leatherCorrosion layers on bronze and ironConsolidants and reversible treatmentsRecording condition and interventionsStorage, climate, and display issuesLesson 7Interpreting fragmentary evidence: reconstructions, experimental archaeology, and risk of anachronismThis section tackles piecing together broken chariot bits, planning test rebuilds, and avoiding mixing up old and new ideas, pushing clear starting points, checkable ideas, and cautious modern material use.
From fragments to working modelsDocumenting assumptions and gapsDesigning experimental trialsSafety and ethical constraintsModern substitutes for lost materialsRecognizing and limiting anachronismLesson 8Definition and components of chariots: chassis, axle, wheel, body, yoke, harnessThis section spells out what counts as a chariot, sets it apart from other carts, and lists its key parts, building common words for upcoming talks on tech, digs, and hands-on tests in the course.
Functional definition of a chariotDistinguishing chariots from cartsChassis and platform configurationsAxle, wheels, and running gearYoke, pole, and draft interfaceHarness and crew accommodation
