75829 - Late Ancient Archaeology (1)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will know the definition of Late Antiquity and the issues related to periodization in that historical period. They will have a basic knowledge of the material evidence and be able to recognize the importance of the relationship between objects and contexts; they will find their way around the scientific literature and, through critical reading of the archaeological records, begin to understand the significance of artefacts, buildings and figurative documents, connecting them to cultural, social, political and religious phenomena. They will have learnt to listen, understand and debate respectfully with different viewpoints, and spot tie-ups among different disciplines.

Course contents

General themes of Late Antique Archaeology. Issues of definition and periodization. Architecture, urban planning, and sculpture. Settlement dynamics and funerary practices. Iconography and figurative culture. Production structures and issues of economic and commercial exchanges. Relationship between Christianity and other religions in the Late Antique period.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending Students: This year, the course includes the use of educational handouts that will be provided to attending students on a weekly basis.

Non attending students: R. Krautheimer, Architettura paleocristiana e bizantina, Torino 1986, pp. 7-26, 33-68; 233-286; E. Concina, Le arti di Bisanzio, Milano 2002, pp. 1-34; A. Iniguez Herrero, Archeologia cristiana, San Paolo 2003; I. Baldini Lippolis, L'architettura residenziale nelle città tardoantiche, Roma 2005; A. Chavarria Arnau, Archeologia delle chiese. Dalle origini all'anno Mille, Roma 2010, pp. 23-213; M. David, Archeologia della Tarda Antichità, Milano 2021, pp. 1-5, 95-124, 147-158, 222-240, 289-314.

Teaching methods

Frontal instruction with direct involvement of students through discussions on the presented topics. A visit to the monuments of Ravenna is planned, in connection with the course content.

Students who are affected by learning disability (DSA) and in need of special strategies to compensate it, are kindly requested to contact the Teacher, in order to be referred to the colleagues in charge and get proper advice and instructions.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral interview, during which the student will be asked to discuss the topics covered in class. The candidate is expected to have a proper understanding of the main issues addressed. The interview will also serve as an opportunity to assess the candidate's ability to navigate the content of the discipline.


The achievement of a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in class, along with their critical utilization, a good command of expression and specific language, will be evaluated with excellent grades. Memorization of the material, combined with the ability to provide concise and well-analyzed responses in appropriate language, though not always precise, will result in satisfactory evaluations. Deficiencies in knowledge and/or the use of inappropriate language, even within the context of minimal understanding of the exam material, will lead to grades that do not meet the minimum requirements. Deficiencies in knowledge, inappropriate language, and a lack of orientation within the provided bibliographic materials during the course will be evaluated negatively.


It may be helpful to attend one of the public exam sessions before taking the exam.

Teaching tools

ppt downloadable, worksheets, visit to Ravenna

Links to further information

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/isabella.baldini

Office hours

See the website of Isabella Baldini