75950 - Introduction to Near Eastern Archaeology

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide a complete picture of the civilizations flourished in the Ancient Near East between the mid-fourth millennium and the sixth century BC. At the end of the course the student

- reaches a thorough knowledge of cultural expressions arising from the geographical area between the eastern Mediterranean (west boundary), the Black Sea (north-west boundary), the Caucasus (northern limit), the Iranian Plateau/Persian Gulf (east boundary) and the Arabian desert (south boundary);

- acquires the methodological and critical tools to properly assess and contextualize the archaeological evidence that distinguishes the various Near Eastern civilizations, from Mesopotamia to the Syro-Palestinian coast.

Course contents

 

1. Introduction to Near Eastern Archaeology: from rediscovery of the pre-classical Near East to modern research of Oriental Archaeology.

2. Mesopotamia, Syria and Palestine between the fourth and the first millennium BC: features of architecture, urbanism and material culture.

3. The ivory carving in the Iron Age.

Readings/Bibliography

 

In addition to class notes, the examination must be prepared on the following books and articles:

1.

- P. Matthiae, Prima lezione di archeologia orientale, Roma-Bari 2015 (4th edition).

2.

- D. Nadali, A. Polcaro (edd.), Archeologia della Mesopotamia antica, Roma 2015.

- F. Pinnock, Lineamenti di archeologia e storia dell'arte del Vicino Oriente antico, ca. 3500-330 a.C. Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Siria, Iran, Palestina, Parma 2004, pp. 221-307, 361-415.

3.

- P. Matthiae, La storia dell'arte dell'Oriente Antico. III. I primi imperi e i principati del Ferro, 1600-700 a.C., Milano 1997, pp. 216-223, 236-242. Further bibliography will be provided during the lessons.

 

On the historical context it is recommended the reading of:

M. Liverani, Antico Oriente. Storia, società, economia, Roma-Bari 2013 (second edition); alternatively:

M.L. Uberti, Introduzione alla storia del Vicino Oriente antico, Bologna 2005.

 

The not attending students must replace the references indicated in paragraphs 2-3 with the following books:

A. Invernizzi, Dal Tigri all'Eufrate I. Sumeri e Accadi, Firenze 1992 (a partire dall'età protourbana);

A. Invernizzi, Dal Tigri all'Eufrate II. Babilonesi e Assiri, Firenze 1992;

P. Matthiae, La storia dell'arte dell'Oriente Antico. II. Gli stati territoriali, 2100-1600 a.C., Milano 2000;

P. Matthiae, La storia dell'arte dell'Oriente Antico. III. I primi imperi e i principati del Ferro, 1600-700 a.C., Milano 1997.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons.

Assessment methods

Oral examination. The student will have to demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the artistic development of Near Eastern civilizations and the ability of grasping connections, differences and comparisons between the different kinds of documentation, properly framing the iconographic material discussed in the classes with an appropriate terminology. An ongoing written examination will be centered on the points 1 and 2 of the course.

Teaching tools

Slides, video projector, photocopies, web resources.

Office hours

See the website of Raimondo Secci