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Dr Patrick Quinn
Principal Research Fellow
Institute of Archaeology Gordon Square
Institute of Archaeology
- Joined UCL
- 1st Jan 2011
Research summary
Dr Patrick Quinn is a leading expert in the field of ceramic analysis, particularly thin section petrographic analysis. His book on ceramic petrography is essential literature for any serious studies of ceramics. He has over 20 years of experience developing and undertaking research projects on ancient pottery and other ceramics from different archaeological periods and geographical regions. These include studies of ceramic production and distribution patterns in prehistoric Greece, as well as migration and cultural interaction in pre-contact North America. Patrick was one of the first western scholars to analyse scientifically the ceramic sculptures of the Terracotta Army in China. Patrick coordinates the Ceramic Technology Research Network at the Institute of Archaeology. He has an exceptional track record in high quality publications, including three books and over 40 peer review journal articles. He has taught specialist courses on ceramic analysis since 2005, including a highly successful intensive course on ceramic petrography, which draws participants from all continents. Patrick has significant experience in supervising masters and doctoral theses on ceramic analysis, as well as guiding post-doctoral research. Patrick conducts commercial analysis of ceramics from various periods and parts of the globe.
Current Research Projects
PlaCe (Training the Next Generation of Archaeological Scientists: Interdisciplinary Studies of Pre-Modern Plasters and Ceramics from the Eastern Mediterranean) Marie Curie Innovative Training Network. Coordinated by The Cyprus Institute. Scientist-in-charge of UCL participation
Imperial Logistics: The Making of the Terracotta Army. Collaboration with Museum of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, China. Funded by British Academy. Co-investigator on ceramic technology and organisation of production
EPRAC (Economy of Pre-Roman Communities and Trade Patterns in a Changing World). Marie Curie Individual Fellowship of Maja Mise. Supervisor.
Agios Petros and the Neolithic Pottery Making Traditions of the Deserted Islands, Northern Sporades, Greece. Research collaboration with Nikos Efstratiou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Co-investigator
Research Network Co-ordinator: Ceramic Technology Research Network (CTRN)
Teaching summary
Taught Courses
Archaeological Ceramic Analysis (ARCL0102). Postgraduate module. Coordinator.
Archaeological Ceramics (ARCL0046). Undergraduate module. Coordinator.
Online Intensive Course on Ceramic Petrography & Geochemistry (12-17 July 2021) . Coordinator.
Laboratory and Instrumental Skills in Archaeological Science (ARCL0170). Postgraduate module. Contributor.
Sites and Artefacts (ARCL1016). Undergraduate module. Contributor.
Introduction to Archaeology (ARCL0010). Undergraduate module. Contributor.
Archaeology of North America (ARCL0079). Undergraduate module. Contributor.
Applications of Archaeological Science (ARCL0043). Undergraduate module. Contributor.
Research Supervision
Andrea Martínez, State Control of Production, Distribution and Consumption of Inca-Style Pottery in the Southern Border of Tawatinsuyu (Inka State). Joint principal supervisor. 2021—present
Michael Pittman. The Application of Laser-Stimulated Fluorescence Imaging to Archaeology. Joint principal supervisor. 2020—present
Bruno Lagarde García-Delgado. Circulation of Goods, People and Ideas in Western Europe – Supply, Demand and Circulation of Worked stone. Secondary supervisor. 2020—present
Elanor Preston. The Ubaid in the Persian Gulf: compositional and petrographic analysis of potsherds from Iraq to the Straits of Hormuz. University College London. Joint Principal Supervisor. 2018-present
Hannah Page. Technology, Function and Politics in the use of Ceramics: A case study from southern Uganda. University College London. Joint Principal Supervisor. 2014-present