85585 - Egyptian Archaeology and Material Culture

Learning outcomes

The course analyzes the historical-archaeological data of ancient Egypt from the predynastic period to the end of the dynastic period, providing methodological and critical tools to evaluate the interactions with other important Mediterranean civilizations . At the end of the course, the student has a knowledge of the various phases and different expressions of Egyptian civilization - epigraphic, artistic, religious and economic - and has the ability to correctly contextualize and interpret the archaeological data and the material from major museum collections in the world.

Course contents

The course will focus on the study and analysis of some aspects of the Egyptian archaeology, in particular on the temple of Karnak and the sacred area of Abydos.

Moreover, the course will deal with:

- royal complexes: temples dedicated to a deceased king
- divine complexes: temples dedicated to deities
- analysis of the architecture of the religious buildings
- economic and political value of the religous buildings
- analysis of the decoration of the temples
- analysis and examples of rituals performed inside the temples

Readings/Bibliography

- B.E. Shafer (ed.), Temples of Ancient Egypt, London 1997
- R. Wilkinson, Templi dell'Antico Egitto, Roma 2007

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons.

Assessment methods

Oral exam during which students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge on the Egyptian archaeology, in particular on royal and divine complexes.

Students with a high capability to comment on aspects and characteristics of Egyptian archaeology and who demonstrate to have good critical abilities and an understanding of the chosen bibliography and who express themselves with a language accurate and appropriate to the discipline will receive an excellent mark

Students with a capability to comment on aspects and characteristics of Egyptian archaeology and who have critical abilities and an understanding of the chosen bibliography and who express themselves with a language appropriate to the discipline will receive a good markStudents who show to have memorized the main points of the subject, not accompanied by a particular critical ability and who will use a language not always appropriate to the discipline will pass the exam.

Students with a lack of knowledge of the discipline and who have not acquired the capacity to analyse the bibliography will not pass the exam.

Teaching tools

Power point.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Zecchi