B1738 - Paleolithic Archaeology (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student will gain an in-depth understanding of the archaeological evidence related to human behavioral evolution, from the onset of the Lower Paleolithic to the end of the Upper Paleolithic. This knowledge will be integrated with paleoanthropological and genetic evidence concerning prehistoric hunter-gatherers, providing a comprehensive view of the evolutionary and adaptive dynamics of ancient populations. Furthermore, the student will develop specific skills in understanding human dispersal and settlement patterns throughout prehistory, analyzing the interactions between different prehistoric cultures and climatic and environmental changes. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding human adaptive strategies, lithic technologies, and cultural traditions that defined the various phases of prehistory.

Course contents

The course aims to provide an introduction to the earliest phases of Prehistory, from the Lower Paleolithic to the Upper Paleolithic, in Africa and Eurasia. By the end of the course, students will acquire knowledge of the essential elements of human evolution and the interpretation of settlement choices, subsistence strategies, technological innovations, and cultural manifestations of prehistoric hunter-gatherers.

Readings/Bibliography

Martini F., Archeologia del Paleolitico, Carocci, 2a ed., 2019

di Lernia S., Archeologia africana, Carocci, 2017

During the course, scientific articles will also be recommended for the further exploration of specific topics and will be made available on the Virtuale platform.

Students who do not attend the course will also be required to prepare the supplementary teaching materials uploaded to the Virtuale platform for the examination.

Teaching methods

The course will be held in the classroom through lectures, during which the topics of the program will be presented and discussed.

Attending lectures will make it easier to pass the exam. A student is considered to have attended the course if they participate in at least 75% of the lectures.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral interview during which the student will be required to discuss the topics covered in class or the subjects from the exam texts. The candidate is expected to have an adequate knowledge of the main issues related to each chronological period, with particular reference to the themes of environment, economy, and social organization of past communities. The interview will also be an opportunity to assess the candidate's ability to navigate the contents of archaeological disciplines.

Final Evaluation Criteria:

• A very thorough knowledge of the topics covered in the course, combined with high critical analysis skills, the ability to make connections, and a strong command of specific terminology, will be awarded the highest marks (30-30L).

• A thorough knowledge of the topics covered in the course, combined with good analytical and critical skills and a strong command of specific terminology, will be awarded good marks (27-29).

• A relatively adequate preparation and sufficient analytical skills, even if not particularly detailed, expressed in correct language, will produce fair evaluations (23-26).

• Sufficient preparation and analytical skills, expressed in just formally correct language, will determine a passing grade (18-22).

With regard to assessment, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Six exam sessions are scheduled, approximately distributed across the periods of January/February, April/May, and September/October.

Teaching tools

During the classes, the course content will be presented through PowerPoint presentations. The slides used during the lectures will subsequently be made available on the Virtuale platform.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Picin