OVERVIEW

The course analyzes the archaeological documentation of the Aegean from the last phases of the Mycenaean palace system to the end of the eighth century BC. The data relating to architecture, craftsman production, burial customs and religious beliefs, foreign trades and exchanges are examined.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with a knowledge of the archaeological documentation of Greece between the twelfth and eighth centuries BC, as regards in particular the organization of settlements, handicrafts (especially pottery production), funerary costumes and cult structures.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

In addition to providing basic notions on the history of the study of the discipline, the purpose of the teaching is to allow students to orient themselves in the context of the archaeological documentation of the Aegean between the end of the 13th and the end of the 8th century BCE. At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to identify the main characteristics of the handicrafts, the funerary costumes and the main settlements and places of worship.the expected learning result is also the acquisition of a correct vocabulary specific to the discipline

Students who have followed the module for 9 credits are expected to have a particular knowledge of the documentation of the island of Crete concerning cultual activities.

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisites required.

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes 40 (6 credits) or 60 (9 credits) hours of frontal lessons held by the teacher, during which, with the help of PowerPoint presentations, the topics indicated in the program will be treated.

Attendance to lessons is highly recommended, although not compulsory. Students who attend face to face are considered to be attending. The lessons will be held online on the Microsoft Teams platform.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

6 / 9 cfu: History of studies: from the concept of the Greek Dark Ages to that of high-archaism. Possible causes and consequences of the collapse of the Mycenaean palace system. The seriation of the pottery productions at Athens and in Attica. Regional analysis of the archaeological documentation of the Aegean from the twelfth to the end of the eighth century BC. Examination of data relating to architecture, craftsman production, burial customs and religious beliefs, foreign trades and exchanges with other mediterranean areas.

9 cfu - Funeral behaviors and tomb typologies in Crete from the 12th to the 8th cent. BCE.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

6 cfu) O. Dickinson, The Aegean from Bronze Age to Iron Age. Continuity and change between the twelfth and eighth centuries BC, Routledge, New York, 2006

9 cfu) O. Dickinson, The Aegean from Bronze Age to Iron Age. Continuity and change between the twelfth and eighth centuries BC, Routledge, New York, 2006M.  H.W. Catling - J.N. Coldstream, The Knossos North Cemetery, 1996.

Further bibliographic references will be suggested during the lessons.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September, 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 specific learning disabilities (SLD) can find information on how to request services, compensatory tools, dispensatory measures, and specific aids in the document available at the following link: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/modulistica

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination will ascertain the student's ability to define the main characteristics of the archaeological documentation of Greece in the chronological period between the end of the 13th and 8th centuries BC. The student's ability to classify handicrafts of the period (presented in the photograph) will be evaluated; the student is expected to recognize the chronology and production area of the artefacts and be able to identify the location of the main sites of the period. An evaluation element will also be the expressive abilities and the correct property of language.

FURTHER INFORMATION

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