PHOENICIAN-PUNIC ARCHAEOLOGY

Welcome to the course on Phoenician and Punic Archaeology! This course takes you on a journey into the world of the Phoenicians, exploring their cultural roots in the ancient Levant, as well as their maritime prowess, cultural innovations, and significant contributions to the development of the ancient Mediterranean world.

Through a comprehensive examination of archaeological evidence, historical sources, and modern research methods, you will delve into the rich tapestry of Phoenician society, economy, religion, and politics.

This class is part of the archaeological curriculum of the BA degree in Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage as well as part of the "ancient mediterranean" curriculum of the BA degree in History. Students from other BAs are equally welcome.

The course is organized in two parts of 30 hours each. If you are enrolled in the archaeological curriculum of the Cultural Heritage BA, you can follow both parts and sustain a 12-CFU exam. Otherwise, you can follow the first part only ("Phoenician-Punic Archaeology I") as a 6-CFU exam. If you are a foreign student, please contact the teacher for further information.

Are you interested in learning more about the Phoenicians and their role in the History of the ancient Mediterranean? Do you want to explore the scientific challenges of studying a maritime civilization? If so, this course is a good fit for you!

Here are some of the key learning outcomes you can expect from this course:

Knowledge and Understanding:
- Gain an understanding of the geography of the Levant and the Mediterranean, crucial for contextualizing Phoenician civilization.
- Explore the chronological framework of the ancient Levant, unraveling the timeline of significant events and developments.
- Familiarize yourself with diverse sources and methodologies employed in the archaeology of the ancient Levant and the Phoenician world.

Application of Knowledge and Understanding:
- Develop the ability to pinpoint ancient cities and prominent geographic features on maps, enhancing spatial awareness.
- Acquire the skill to make informed estimations regarding the dating of emblematic Levantine and/or Phoenician artifacts.
- Master the art of designing simple research strategies tailored to address specific topics discussed in class.

Making Judgements:
- Formulate your own interpretative hypotheses for the various classes of artifacts and sources analyzed in class, fostering critical thinking.
- Cultivate the capacity to construct independent critical opinions on the textbooks and articles examined during the course.

Communication:
- Learn effective collaboration within groups to tackle archaeological challenges, fostering teamwork and problem-solving abilities.
- Hone your public speaking skills, practicing the art of conveying information and ideas confidently and appropriately to an audience.

Lifelong Learning Skills:
- Develop the ability to swiftly extract essential information from scientific articles, honing your efficiency in academic research.
- Cultivate the proficiency to engage with texts written in languages other than your native tongue, broadening your academic horizons and adaptability.

Active participation in class, homework and the reading of propedeutic texts are required. Command of scientific English is a prerequisite.

This course provides an introduction to Phoenician-Punic Archaeology and is divided into two parts.
The first part, covering the lessons of the first period, focuses on the archaeology of Lebanon from 1200 to 332 BC, the year when Alexander the Great conquered Tyre.
The second part, covering the lessons of the second period, is about the Phoenician presence in the Western Mediterranean, with special emphasis on coastal connectivity, maritime religions and the symbolic value of the sea.

Foreign-language students may choose to refer to the following literature:

Part I (Phoenician-Punic Archaeology I):
H. Sader, "The History and Archaeology of Phoenicia" (Atlanta 2019)

Part II (Phoenician-Punic Archaeology II):
G. Markoe, The Phoenicians. London: British Museum Press 2000.

The successful participant is required to show a proactive attitude in-class activities and to take a written final exam.

Lectures, integrated by discussions and research activities in class. Partecipants are required to prepare recommended readings before the lecture, to engage in class activities, and to cement the learning outcome reading handbook chapters after each lecture.

Italian

Non attending students are kindly required to contact the teacher at least one month in advance to define a tailored study program

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This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development