93159 - Mediterranean Archeology (Lm)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will have in-depth knowledge of the archaeology of the Mediterranean: they will know the main theoretical-methodological approaches and archaeological contexts and learn at the same time how to describe, analyze and interpret archaeological data. They will be able to address specific topics with an in-depth description of the methods, data and theories, becoming mature and independent scientific researchers. They will be familiar with the main scientific debates in the field of prehistory and ancient history, expressing critical points of view based on the main evidence of material culture.

Course contents

The topics covered include:

Introduction: theories and methods
Neolithic Antecedents
Social change in the early metal age
State-societies of the Mediterranean
The Barbarian west? Adriatic
The Barbarian west? The Tyrrhenian and Western Mediterranean
The Mediterranean Network
The end of the Bronze Age
Iron Age
Ancient mobilities

Readings/Bibliography

The course literature here presented includes only general reference work. For a more detailed bibliography please consult the syllabus on virtuale.unibo.it

The pdfs of the lectures are also part of the readings as they summarise material that is not always present in the readings.

Broodbank, C. 2013, The Making of the Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean from the Beginning to the Emergence of the Classical World. London: Thames & Hudson (Chapters 7-10)

Iacono, F. 2019, The archaeology of late Bronze Age interaction and mobility at the gates of Europe: people, things and networks around the southern Adriatic Sea. London, UK: Bloomsbury Academic.

Iacono, F., Borgna, E., Cattani, M., Cavazzuti, C., Dawson, H., Galanakis, Y., Gori, M., Iaia, C., Ialongo, N., Lachenal, T., Lorrio, A., Micó, R., Molloy, B., Nafplioti, A., Peche-Quilichini, K., Herrada, C. R. and Risch, R. (2021). Establishing the Middle Sea: The Late Bronze Age of Mediterranean Europe (1700–900 BC). Journal of Archaeological Research.

Knapp, A.B. & P. Van Dommelen (eds), 2014. The Cambridge Prehistory of the Bronze and Iron Age Mediterranean. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Teaching methods

The course is organised in 15 sessions of 2 hours each. Every few sessions, one hour is dedicated to the discussion of the topics covered (seminar). Participation to such sessions is strongly recommended, as it is an integral part of teaching and assessment.

Assessment methods

Assessment includes three main components:
1. Participation to the seminar discussion (contributing to the 10% of the final grade)
2. A presentation (individual or in group, inclusive of a powerpoint) (contributing to the 20% of the final grade)
3. An individual final paper and/or final exam whose theme will be agreed with the final course coordinator (contributing to the 70% of the final grade).

The essay must be delivered to the course organiser via email at least 3 days ahead ahead of the scheduled exam date. For non-attending students the final exam will involve a presentation plus oral exam and a final written paper.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be taught through powerpoint prenentations that will be made available on the Virtuale platform.

 

Students who require specific services and adaptations to teaching activities due to a disability or specific learning disorders (SLD), must first contact the appropriate office: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students .

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Iacono