Archaeometry is a discipline concerned with the use of the natural sciences (particularly the physical sciences) to determine the properties of artefacts from past eras. Some examples of archaeometry activities are radiocarbon dating (magnetic and other methods); determination of the composition of metals (allowing the identification of mines used in past eras); the study of the debasement of coins, etc.; the numerous techniques that contribute to the authentication of art objects. For a country like Italy, with its archaeological and artistic heritage, the relevance of this subject is obvious. Intensive archaeometric activity takes place all over the world. Although much of it is routine, in some places very ingenious methods are being developed, which consequently open up new frontiers for archaeometry. One of these is the milliprobe method for X-ray fluorescence analysis of small amounts of material (e.g., a racing coin). Another is the development of ceramic kiln dating by means of palaeomagnetism. The school wishes to stimulate the further development of new methods and their applications. This is to be achieved by bringing together current archaeometrists with other natural scientists and selected experts in fields such as archaeology and art history.