75829 - Late Ancient Archaeology (1)

Academic Year 2021/2022

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 topics of the archaeology of Late Antiquity. Problems of definition and periodization. Architecture, urbanism, and sculpture. Dynamics of the settlement. Necropolis. Iconography and figurative. Patterns of production and problems of economic and trade exchanges. Relationship between Christianity and other religions in Late Antiquity.

Readings/Bibliography

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; M. David, Archeologia della Tarda Antichità, Milano 2021, pp. 1-5, 95-124, 147-158, 222-240, 289-314.

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

Lessons with direct involvement of the students (discussion) on the contents.

Assessment methods

The exam includes an oral interview, during which the student will discuss the issues dealt with. The candidate shall demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the main issues. The interview will be at the same time an opportunity to assess the candidates' ability to orient themselves within the content of the discipline. Any doubts about the characteristics of the test can be resolved, before the exam, by being present during other students' exams.


Top marks will be awarded to students displaying an overall understanding of the topics discussed during the course, combined with a critical approach to the material and a confident and effective use of the appropriate terminology.
Average marks will be awarded to students who have memorized the main points of the material and is able to summarize them satisfactorily and provide an effective critical commentary while failing to display a complete command of the appropriate terminology.
Students will be deemed to have failed the exam if they display significant errors in his understanding and failure to grasp the overall outlines of the subject, together with a poor command of the appropriate terminology.


It may be useful to attend - as spectators - the exam sessions, which are public.

Teaching tools

ppt downloadable

Links to further information

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

Office hours

See the website of Isabella Baldini