OVERVIEW

The "deep history" or the historical process that precedes the spread of writing is the subject-matter of Palethnology, also known as Prehistoric Archeology and here referred to as Anthropology of prehistoric civilizations. The course will therefore deal with the interactions between humans, culture and environment from the Early Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age, taking into consideration case studies and applied methodologies.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course of Anthropology of prehistoric civilizations aims to provide the epistemological and methodological bases of the disciplines that deal with the wide chronological span that includes most of the human history, from Palaeolithic to Bronze Age, with particular attention to theoretical and interpretative matters, emphasizing the strong continuity between "recent" history (shallow history), following the introduction of writing, and "deep" history, without written sources.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to illustrate and deepen the theoretical and methodological issues of Pre-and Proto-historical archaeology, from the bands of the most ancient hunter-gatherers to the dawn of the urbanisation along with the analysis of some case-studies. In addition to a good knowledge of the discussed topics a PPT presentation and a short text in the form of a paper are also requested.

PREREQUISITES

The knowledge of the main periods in which Prehistory and Protohistory have been distinguished, as well as the main characteristics of the related cultures and facies, particularly with regard to Italy and Europe, is warmly requested.

TEACHING METHODS

- Frontal class work. Projection of PPT.

- Seminar activities on some topics.

- All students (non-attending too) must registered to aul@web.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is articulated in two parts. In the general one we will discuss about the theoretical aspects of the discipline, from the definition of the term "Prehistory" to its relationship with historiography and historical sciences in general. In the second one we will provide the investigation and interpretation tools involved in the Pre- and Protohistory, from excavation and dating to the analysis of the archaeological evidence, from the use of theoretical models, including also examples from Ethnography, to the study of techno-economic processes, from cognitive features to Bioarchaeology. During the course several case studies will be illustrated and discussed together according to seminar methods.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Texts:

- Colin Renfrew, Paul Bahn 2012. Archaeology. Theories, Methods and Practice. Thames & Hudson.

- Daniel Lord Smail, 2007.  On Deep History and the Brain. University of California Press.

Further bibliography will be indicated during the course.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FABIO NEGRINO (President)

FABRIZIO BENENTE

NICOLA CUCUZZA

CLARA FOSSATI

CARLA PAMPALONI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Wednesday, February 13, 2019.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam. A PPT presentation is also requested.

Non-attending students are required to agree on the exam program with the teacher and to contact him as soon as possible (by e-mail, by phone or by presenting themselves during his office hours).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam will allow to verify if the student has acquired a good knowledge of the subject-matter dealt with, as well as his interpretative abilities in analysing some case studies. The competence in the use of the theoretical and investigative tools illustrated during the course will also be ascertained. A good oral presentation of the data, accompanied by a demonstrated ability to elaborate and summarize the topic presented in the form of a PPT, will also be part of the overall judgment.

Exam schedule