C8901 - Late Prehistory in the Mediterranean (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At 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)

Dawson, H., & Iacono, F. 2026. Exchange and Identity: encounters between the central Mediterranean and the Aegean. S.l.: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS.

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.

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 will include: a) participation to seminar sessions, b) a brief presentation agreed with the teacher during the course c) an oral exam. For non-attending students the final exam will involve an additional final written paper.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be taught through powerpoint presentations that will 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 Francesco Iacono