98914 - Environmental Archaeology (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide an in-depth knowledge of the methodologies used to understand environmental transformations in the past and how humans related to the environment in their daily economic activities. In particular, the course will address topics related to the analysis of naturalistic finds for the study of climate, environment, diet, subsistence economy, and methods of land exploitation over time. At the end of the course, the student will be able to correctly address issues related to the treatment, documentation, analysis of bioarchaeological material for a comprehensive reconstruction of pre-protohistoric and historical sites.

Course contents

The topics covered will be:

• The relationship between man and the environment from historical sources
• Botanical nomenclature
• Climate and biomes for the study of current vegetation
• Glacialism and its impact on human life
• Ecological variations in the Quaternary
• The modification of fauna during the Quaternary and in the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition
• Plant macroremains for the study of nutrition and the environment
• The processes of neolithization and the study of food sources pre and post domestication
• Textile plants
• Ritual plants

No prior knowledge is required

Readings/Bibliography

Di Pasquale G., 2011. Che cos’è l’archeobotanica. Carocci editore.

Carra M., 2025. Semi, frutti e alimentazione in archeologia. Metodologia della ricerca e casi studio. Bononia University Press, Bologna.

Further handouts will be available on Virtuale

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and ppt (available on Virtuale)

Assessment methods

Oral examination

The exam topics will be:

- the text in the bibliography

- The handouts and presentations on Vituale

- A research (bibliographic or laboratory stage) to be agreed with the teacher.

Supplementary material will be provided to non-attending students, who should contact the teacher.

The evaluation will take into account the following parameters:

• Knowledge of the contents and concepts, together with a good ability to express themselves will be evaluated very positively (30L-27)
• A fair knowledge of the topics covered and correct expression will lead to fair evaluations (26-23)
• Correct but not particularly articulated speeches and poor knowledge of the contents will determine sufficiency (22-18)

Teaching tools

Students who require specific services and adaptations to teaching activities due to a disability or specific learning disorders (SLD), must first contact the appropriate office: [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students].

Office hours

See the website of Marialetizia Carra