ARCHEOLOGY AND THE CULTURES OF GANDHARA AND THE SILK ROADS

The course is part of the curriculum on cultures and history and South and Central Asia. However, being the topic basically archaeology, fine art and material culture of the so-called "Hellenistic Far East", the course can be linked to the Classics curricula.
The course wished to introduce the students to the problems of archaeology, fine art and material culture from Afghanistan to South and Central Asia from BCE 600 to 1000 CE. The course will have a focus on the early-historic to post-Kushan phases of the Gandharan region (modern Pakistan) (c. 150 BCE- 650 CE).
The course pairs well with LM2580.

A good understanding of the history and historical geography of the region. A fair knowledge of the major sites and excavations, as well of the major research themes with a focus on Gandharan art.
A good understanding of the thematics discussed and related methodologies.

Not necessary. A basic knowledge of South/Central Asia (a) ancient history, (b) fine art and architecture, and (c) archaeological methods, is though preferred. Supplementary material and tutorship can be provided to the students who need specific help on that regard.

General ancient geography of the area.
General chronologies for the period considered in a broad sense (approx. 600 BC to 1000 AD).
Monographic subject course: South Asia, c. 500 BCE-100 CE: shrines of local cults and Buddhist appropriation

Topics in the archaeology of religions.1: Buddhist shrines.
The construction of a stupa: from the quarries to the elevation. organisation of the construction site, the workers, the client.
Case study: Saidu Sharif I
Topics in archaeology of religions.2: dynastic sanctuaries.
Case study: Surkh Kotal
Topics in archaeology of religions.3: the Shahi temples
Case study: Barikot, Zalam-kot
Ancient economy: agricultural production and the role of Buddhist monasteries
Case study: The double-crop regions
Themes in the history of Gandharan art: models, contamination and emulation between India and the Mediterranean
Case study: The Frieze of the Master of Saidu

Monographic subject course: Robert DeCaroli, Haunting the Buddha. Indian Popular Religions and the Formation of Buddhism, Oxford University Press: New York, 2004 (see archive.org)

Thematic handouts, research papers (in inglese e/o italiano) and PDF presentations shown in class, will be made available from February 2024 in PDF format on the University platform Moodle

Reference texts:

1) Ciro Lo Muzio (2017) Archeologia dell’Asia Centrale preislamica. Mondadori Università, Milano (ISBN: 9788861844124): Chapters 3, 5, 7 [BAUM: ARCHEO (931 ASIA 125)].
2) Luca M. Olivieri (2022) The Archaeology of Gandhāra. Oxford Research Encyclopaedias: Anthropology https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190854584.013.545 (vedi Moodle)
3) Cinzia Pieruccini (2020) L'arte dell'India.1 Dalle origini ai grandi templi medievali, Einaudi, Torino (ISBN: 9788806245955): Chapters II.1, 7-8, III.3-4, IV.1-2, , VI.4

Readings by topic:

Saidu Sharif I
Luca M. Olivieri (2022) Stoneyards and artists in Gandhara. The Buddhist stupa of Saidu Sharif I, Swat (c. 50) open access: https://edizionicafoscari.unive.it/it/edizioni4/libri/978-88-6969-577-3/ (selected Chapters)

Dynastic shrines
Luca M. Olivieri, F. Sinisi (2021) The stele and other statues. A stone puzzle from Surkh Kotal, East and West 2(61), pp. 115-161

Ancient economy
Luca M. Olivieri (2022) The Swat routes, new perspectives. In X. Liu (ed.) The World of the Ancient Silk Road. New York: Routledge, pp. 354-377.

Shahi Temples.
Luca M. Olivieri (2022) The temples of Swat. The Śāhi archaeological landscape of Barikot. In H.P. Ray et al. (eds.) The Routledge Handbook of Hindu Temples Materiality, Social History and Practice. London: Routledge India, pp. 251-276.

The last part of every class will be devoted to actively discuss the main topics so to test the understanding of the subject-matter.
Individual material cataloguing and study exercis es will be conducted on materials uploaded on the ICherish teaching platform.
Before the exam, the candidate will present a short (max. 5000 words in English or Italian) research essay on a topic selected by the candidate that references and cites the texts we have studied.

Frontal classes with images and texts illustrated with Power Points. The latter will be made available to the students before the end of the course on the University platform moodle.
The last part of every class will be devoted to actively discuss the main topics.
Individual material cataloguing and study exercises will be conducted on materials uploaded on the ICherish teaching platform.
A short written summary will be requested every 4 lessons.
Before the exam, the candidate will present a short (max. 5000 words in English or Italian) research essay on a topic selected by the candidate that references and cites the texts we have studied.

Italian

Tutorship in English is available

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Cities, infrastructure and social capital" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development