30398 - Archaeology of Pre-Islamic Iran

Learning outcomes

The course aims at providing the student with the critical tools necessary for researching in the field of the archaeology of pre-Islamic Iran. This is obtained through a monographic subject, different year by year, which is treated starting from the direct sources, be them historical, literary or archaeological, which are approached in the critical prespective of scientific research. At the end of the course the student has not only acquired the specific knowledge of the subject investigated, but is able to master with a critical approach the vaste bibliography on Iranian archaeology and to organize with a strict methodology the sources for any archaeological investigation.

Course contents

the course concerns a single theme of the archaeology of the

iranian pre-islamic world, studied in a more detailed
monographic

approach, with a particular concern towards critics and

methodology.



the subject of the 2010-2011 course is:







Figural arts of Sasanian Iran: dynasty, clergy, laics.

Readings/Bibliography

Papers to be read for the preparation of the examination:

G. Scarcia, “La Persia dagli Achemenidi ai Sasanidi 550 a.C.-650 d.C.”, in Iran, l’arte persiana, Milano 2003, pp. 79-125;
V. Loukonine, A. Ivanov, L'art persan, Bournemouth-Saint Pétersbourg 1995, pp. 23-34, 84-108;
AA.VV., Splendeur des Sassanides. L’empire perse entre Rome et la Chine (224-642), Bruxelles 1993, pp. 63-108, 123-141;
L. Vanden Berghe, Reliefs rupestres de l’Iran ancien, Bruxelles 1983;
M. Rahbar, “Découverte d’un monument d’époque sassanide à Bandian, Dargaz (Nord Khorassan). Fouilles 1994 et 1995”, in Studia Iranica, 27/2, 1998, pp. 213-250.

Reference bibliography, used by the teacher:
O. Grabar, Sasanian Silver. Late Antique and Early Mediaeval Arts of Luxury from Iran, Ann Arbor 1967;
P.O. Harper & P. Meyers, Silver Vessels from the Sasanian Period, I: Royal Imagery, New York 1981;
J. Kröger, Sasanidischer Stuckdekor, Mainz 1982;
AA.VV., Iranische Denkmäler. Iranische Felsreliefs, A-G, Berlin 1975-1983;
B. Marschak, Silberschätze des Orients. Metallkunst des 3.-13- Jahrhunderts und ihre Kontinuität, Leipzig 1986, pp. 255-296;
R. Gyselen, Catalogue des sceaux, camées et bulles sassanides de la Bibliothèque Nationale et du Musée du Louvre. I. Collection générale, Paris 1993;
M. Azarnoush, The Sasanian Manor House at Hajiabad, Fars, Iran, Firenze 1994.

Teaching methods

Direct lessons with examination of the iconographical documents through slide projections and distributions of plans and maps. Aim of the course is introducing the student to the main problems of the research subject proposed. A special stress is put on the methodological approach to research, with the aim of stimulating the critical reflexion of the student.

Assessment methods

Oral examination, with the possibility of having on request control of the various parts of the programme.

Teaching tools

Image projection and graphs distribution.

Links to further information

http://www.dismec.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Pierfrancesco Callieri

See the website of Luca Colliva