OVERVIEW

The teaching of Aegean Archaeology presents the archaeological documentation of the Aegean basin from the Prehistoric times through the collapse of the Mycenaean palatial syste (about 1200 BC). After a brief analysis of the most ancient periods of the human population in the region, particular attention is paid to the Bronze Age and especially to the palatial societies that developed in Crete and in Mainland Greece during the Middle and Late Bronze Age. Several lessons will be devoted to the relative chronological systems currently in use and to the archaeological documentation concerning settlements, cult places and necropolises; the development of the handicraft production of pottery, terracottas, vases and other stone artefacts, metals, paintings will be also illustrated and indications will be provided on the writing used in the period considered. Finally, the data relating to cultual practices and trade with populations of other geographical areas will be examined.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aim of the course is to provide students with basic notions about the development of the archaeological researches concerning the prehistory of the Aegean and with a good knowledge of the relative archaeological documentation: settlements, necropolises, handicraft productions, writing and administrative systems.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aim of the course, in addition to providing basic notions on the history of the studies about Aegean archaeology, is to allow students to identify the main characteristics of settlements, necropolises, places of worship of the prehistoric Aegean; to have a basic knowledge on the scriptures used in the Aegean Bronze Age; to distinguish the most common craft productions, identifying periods and manufacturing areas; to acquire basic geographical knowledge of the Aegean. It is expected that the student will be able to illustrate the main characteristics of the Aegean in the different chronological periods, identifying the most famous sites and the main craft productions

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisites are required.

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes 36 hours of lectures delivered by the teacher: the topics indicated in the program will be treated through Power Point presentations.

Attendance to lessons is highly recommended, although not compulsory. Students who attend face to face are considered to be attending. The teacher, at the specific request of each student, allows remote use of the lessons through the Teams platform.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Basic notions on the development of prehistoric researches in the Aegean from the discoveries carried out by Schliemann. Relative chronology and absolute chronology in the prehistoric Aegean. Observations on the most ancient human population (Paleolithic and Mesolithic) and the main characteristics of the Neolithic cultures in the Aegean. The Early Bronze Age in the Cyclades, in the northern Aegean, in the Peloponnese and in Crete. The Minoan palatial society: the architecture and the organization of settlements; craft productions; administrative systems. The Minoan cultural influence outside of Crete, with particular reference to the Cyclades. Mainland Greece between the Middle and the beginning of the Late Bronze Age: the shaft graves at Mycenae. Archaeological data about the Mycenaean palatial society. Religion and cults in the Aegean Bronze Age. Notions on the scriptures used in the prehistoric Aegean: Cretan hieroglyph, Linear A, Linear B.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

One of the following handbooks:

- A.L. D'Agata, L. Girella, Civiltà dell'Egeo. Archeologia e società della Grecia nel III e nel II millennio a.C., Roma, Carocci Editore 2023

- L. Bombardieri, G. Graziadio, M. Jasink, Preistoria e protostoria egea e cipriota, Firenze University Press 2015

- J. Rutter, The Prehistoric Archaeology of the Aegean, available on-line

Highly recommended papers and pictures provided in Aulaweb.

Further bibliographic references will be established for non-attending students.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February, 16th 2026

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

After half of the lessons, an ongoing test will be carried out, consisting of a written paper on two tracks relating to the topics covered in the lessons. In case of a positive evaluation, the test topics will not be the subject of the final exam.

The final exam will consist of a spoken test, on topics concerning the course program.

Erasmus students not proficient in Italian may request a substitutive bibliography, and take the examination in English or French.

Students with disabilities or DSA are reminded that in order to request specific exam methods, they must first enter the certification on the University website at http://servizionline.unige.it in the "Students" section. The documentation will be verified by the University's Services Sector for the inclusion of students with disabilities and DSA (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/structure/100111).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam aims to ascertain the student's ability to define the main characteristics of the archaeological record of the prehistoric Aegean and to have understood its chronological periodization, recalling tje development of the Aegean archaeology. The ability to classify handicrafts of the period (presented in pictures) will be evaluated, recognizing chronology and area of production of some artefacts and identifying the location of the main sites of the period. An element of evualation will also be the expressive abilities and the correct ownership of language.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Copy of Power Point presentations and basic texts will be made available on Aulaweb.