98983 - ARCHEOLOGIA MARITTIMA

Learning outcomes

The course focuses the study on the relationship between ancient man, the sea and inland waters, from an integrated perspective between archaeology, history and ethnography. The aim is to make the student able to use the methodological tools related to the topics of nautical archaeology, seamanship (with particular reference to navigation techniques) and the more general interaction between man, the marine environment and the maritime landscape (coasts and coastal settlements). The course also includes the study of the applications and techniques of underwater archaeology, as a primary investigation tool in service of maritime archaeology.

Course contents

The course aims to provide the methodological tools and contents necessary for the study of maritime archaeology, thus analysing, in the broadest sense, man's relationship with the sea and inland waters over the course of time, from the origins to antiquity, but also in later periods, through the comparative analysis of archaeological, historical and ethnographic data. The topics covered by the course are as follows:

maritime archaeology: definition and contexts, in a synthesis framework in which the disciplines and techniques of archaeology, historical and ethnographic research converge and dialogue, with specific reference to maritime and inland waters navigation;

nautical archaeology: wrecks (characteristics, formation processes, environmental contexts and state of preservation), iconography and written sources, as elements functional to the study of ancient vessels typologies, of the hulls principles and construction systems, of on-board equipment, of sail typologies and rigging;

underwater archaeology: contexts, applications, tools and methods (history of underwater archaeological exploration, instrumental surveys and direct investigations, excavation, documentation, technology and the new frontiers of underwater archaeology, poor visibility contexts, shallow water archaeology, deep water archaeology);

nautical history and ancient seamanship, navigation techniques: the historical-archaeological evidence, ethnography and experimentation (the theoretical-practical Seafaring Workshop falls within this context);

study and enhancement of the tangible and intangible maritime heritage.

Readings/Bibliography

students attending lectures

For exam preparation students will refer to the notes taken during the lectures and, in addition, as an example of a historical source on ancient navigation, they have to read paragraphs 27-28 of the Acts of the Apostles (journey and shipwreck of Paul of Tarsus), in translated version.
The study of one of the following texts, chosen by the student, is also required:

P. Pomey (ed.), La Navigation dans l'Antiquité, Édisud, Aix-en-Provence 1997.

E. Felici, Archeologia subacquea: metodi, tecniche e strumenti, Istituto poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Roma 2002.

P. Pomey, E. Rieth, L'archéologie navale, Errance, Paris 2005.

R. Petriaggi, B. Davidde, Archeologia sott'acqua. Teoria e pratica, Fabrizi Serra, Roma 2007.

C. Beltrame, Archeologia marittima del Mediterraneo: navi, merci e porti dall'antichità all'età moderna, Carocci, Roma 2012.

P. Arnaud, Les routes de la navigation antique: itinéraires en Méditerranée et Mer Noire. Nouvelle edition, Errance, Paris 2020.

Stefano Medas, Nautica antica. Itinerari nel mondo della navigazione tra storia, archeologia ed etnografia, <<L’Erma>> di Bretschneider, Roma 2022 (NOTE: this text cannot be used if it has already been used for Landscape Archaeology exam).

 

For non-attendig students

In addition to the study of one of the above texts and the reading of paragraphs 27-28 of the Acts of the Apostles, non-attending students should supplement their preparation with the study of the following articles:

P. Pomey, Defining a ship: architecture, function and human space, in A. Catsambis, B. Ford, D.L. Hamilton (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Maritime Archaeology, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2011, pp. 25-46.

E. Cirelli, Roma sul mare e il porto augusteo di Classe, in F. Boschi (ed.), Ravenna e l'Adriatico dalle origini all'età romana, Centro Studi per l'Archeologia dell'Adriatico, Ante Quem, Bologna 2013, pp. 109-121.

C. Beltrame, Documentare in archeologia navale, in D. Gandolfi (ed.), Archeologia subacquea: storia, organizzazione, tecniche e ricerche, Istituto Internazionale di Studi Liguri, Bordighera 2017, pp. 159-174.

S. Medas, La navigazione lungo le idrovie padane in epoca romana, in G. Cantoni, A. Capurso (edd.), On the Road. Via Emilia 187 a.C. >> 2017, Step, Parma 2017, pp. 146-161, 398-401.

S. Medas, Il naufragio di San Paolo a Malta (Atti degli Apostoli, 27): tra la vita e la morte sul mare, in Phicaria - VI Encuentros Internacionales del Mediterráneo. Navegar el Mediterráneo, M.M. Ros Sala, J.M. López Ballesta (Eds.), Mazarrón 2018, pp. 38-52.

 

 

 

Teaching methods

Lectures with the support of images and commented reading of passages from ancient and modern texts.

Attendance at lectures, which also are held through interaction and active participation in the study topics, is recommended.

Students with particular interests or who wish to study specific topics in depth may request bibliographical informations from the lecturer and, if necessary, agree on an alternative text to those indicated.

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 examination is performed by means of an oral test, through which basic knowledge and correct understanding of the topics addressed during the lectures and those contained in the texts will be verified. The ability to critically discuss and argue problems will then be tested, as well as the quality of the exposition and the ability to organise a well-structured logical and formal discourse.

The final assessment is based on the student's general level of knowledge, his or her critical capacity and autonomy in interpreting the problems, the exposition logic and clarity, and active participation in the lessons. For non-attending students, particular attention will be paid to the ability in using bibliographical tools and, through these, to the ability in arriving at a critical awareness of topics and problems, autonomously and not mnemonically. In summary, the following principles will be adopted:

- not-sufficient grade: lack of basic knowledge and inability to formulate correct interpretations of the topics discussed in class and the text(s) studied;

- grade sufficient (18-22): possession of basic knowledge; interpretation mostly correct, but developed with inaccuracies and little autonomy.

- good grade (23-27): possession of basic knowledge at an intermediate level, acquired critically and not mnemonically; interpretation fully correct, but not always precise and not always developed autonomously.

- excellent grade (28-30 cum laude): high level of basic knowledge and content developed during the lessons; correct interpretation of problems; topics explained with precision and autonomy; excellent oral expression ability.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint, images, maps, graphical surveys, texts.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Medas