OVERVIEW

The course of Aegean Archaeology presents the archaeological documentation of the Aegean basin from the Prehistoric times through the collapse of the Mycenaean palatial system (about 1200 BC). Special attention is paid to the Bronze Age and especially to the palatial cultures documented in Crete and in Mainland Greece.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

6 CFU:

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

9 CFU:

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 distinguish the most common craft productions, identifying periods and manufacturing areas; to acquire basic geographical knowledge of the Aegean. Particular attention will be paid to the Mycenaean philology.

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. Is is expected also a basic knowledge of Mycenaean philology.

PREREQUISITES

No required prerequisites.

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes 40 (6 cfu) or 60 (9 cfu) hours of lectures delivered by the teacher. The topics indicated in the program will be treated through Power Point presentations.

Attendance to lessons is recommended, although not compulsory. Students who attend at least half of the lessons 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

6 cfu:

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 and writing systems in the Aegean Bronze Age. 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. 

9 cfu:

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.

The program is  the same for non-attending students.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

6 CFU:

One of the following handbooks:

- L. Bombardieri, G. Graziadio, M. Jasink, Preistoria e protostoria egea e cipriota, Firenze University Press 2015
- J. Rutter, The Prehistoric Archaeology of the Aegean, disponibile on-line al sito http://www.dartmouth.edu/~prehistory/aegean/

Highly recommended: papers and pictures in Aulaweb.

9 CFU:

On the general topics, one of the following handbooks:
- L. Bombardieri, G. Graziadio, M. Jasink, Preistoria e protostoria egea e cipriota, Firenze University Press 2015
- J. Rutter, The Prehistoric Archaeology of the Aegean, disponibile on-line al sito http://www.dartmouth.edu/~prehistory/aegean/
Highly recommended: papers and pictures in Aulaweb.

On the Mycenaean philology, one of the following treatises:
- M. Marazzi, La scrittura dei Micenei, Carocci Editore 2015.
- M. Del Freo e M. Perna (a cura di), Manuale di epigrafia micenea. Introduzione allo studio dei testi in lineare B. Volume 1, Libreriauniversitaria.it 2016, pp. 55-197.

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

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

NICOLA CUCUZZA (President)

MARTA PESTARINO

FABIO NEGRINO (Substitute)

PAOLO PERSANO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

28th September 2022.

Class schedule

AEGEAN ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is held in oral form, on topics concerning the coures program

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam aims to assess 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 -including scripts- 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. 

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

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