70765 - Archaeology of Production in Pre-Roman Italy

Learning outcomes

Acquaintance with art and handcraft of the pre-Roman populations and ability to connect artistic expressions and historical frame.

Competence to evaluate form, style, function and meaning, that are often expression of an ideological message.

Ability to carry out an autonomous research.

Course contents

The course will be divided into two parts:

I module: the module will illustrate the history, civilization and material culture of the Etruscans and peoples of pre-Roman Italy from the early Iron Age to Romanization (IX-I century BC), with particular attention to the artistic and artisan productions.

II module: the module will focus on the most specific theme of the main artisan productions (i.e. ceramics, metallurgy, stone, painting), investigated in the context of production cycles, processing techniques and work organization. The second module includes workshop activities organized in seminars and visits to archaeological museums.

A first lesson will be aimed at illustrating the program, the methods for assessment methods and offering a general historical and archaeological framework.

Readings/Bibliography

For a complete preparation, it is considered necessary to study the following text:

Introductory manuals to the civilizations of pre-Roman Italy:

F. Pesando (a cura di), L’Italia antica. Culture e forme del popolamento nel I millennio a.C., Carocci, Roma 2005 (e ristampe successive).

The following contributions are recommended to integrate the II module: 

1. G. Bejor, M. Castoldi, C. Lambrugo, E. Panero, Botteghe e artigiani. Marmorari, bronzisti, ceramisti e vetrai nell’antichità classica, Mondadori, Milano 2012 (e ristampe successive), pp. 1-129.
2. S.T. Levi, Dal coccio al vasaio. Manifattura, tecnologia e classificazione della ceramica, Zanichelli, Bologna 2010, pp. 74-169.
3. C. Giardino, I metalli nel mondo antico. Introduzione all’archeometallurgia, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2010, 2° edizione, pp. 41-209.
4. L. Vlad Borelli, Profilo storico della tecnologia della pittura tombale etrusca, in A. Minetti (ed.), Pittura etrusca: Problemi e prospettive (Proceedings, Sarteano-Chiusi 2001), Siena 2003, pp. 140–153.

During the lessons individual articles will also be indicated to deepen specific topics.

Teaching methods

Teaching is organized in lectures and in a number of hours dedicated to laboratory activities, which will be carried out through seminars and visits to archaeological museums.

Interested students will be able to integrate the teaching of the course with practical laboratory activities within the educational offerings proposed by the Department of History and Cultures with particular regard to the possibility of an excavation experience in the Etruscan city of Marzabotto and an experience of study, cataloging and drawing of archaeological materials.

Lessons start with an academic quarter.

Assessment methods

The exam consists in an oral test. Familiarity and deep knowledge of the indicated bibliography and of all the topics covered during lectures are required. Three general questions are the starting point of a more detailed discussion.

The overall evaluation will consider the following parameters:

- an excellent knowledge of the topics, the ability to analyse themes, to refer them by using the field-specific terminology and to discuss specific issues critically, arguing their own opinion, will be rewarded with an excellent mark.

- a mnemonic knowledge of the subject with the ability to analyse, with correct, although not always field-specific command of the language will be rewarded with a 'fair' mark.

- minimal knowledge of the subject will not be enough to pass the exam.

Teaching tools

Each lesson will be accompanied by presentation slides with a wide repertoire of images subsequently accessible through Insegnamenti OnLine - IOL.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Gaucci