ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE LEVANT

Archaeology of the Levant is part of the archaeological curriculum of the MA degree in Sciences of Antiquity.
The course introduces to key issues and methods of the Archaeology of the Levant by focusing on an emblematic topic. In class, students acquire a basic command of relevant material sources, exercise critical interpretive skills and learn how to develop skills for independent research and write a short scientific essay.

1. Knowledge and understanding:
- you know in outlines the Geography of the Levant
- you know in outlines the History of the Levant between 1600 and 600 BC
- you know which sources and methods are used for studying the Archaeology of the Levant, with a specific focus on urban design and architecture
- you understand the great issues and scientific challenges in the Archaeology of the Levant

2. Applying knowledge and understanding:
- you can identify ancient cities and major culturally significant geographic features discussed in class on a map of the Levant
- you can make an informed guess about dating and function of emblematic urban features discussed in class
- given a topic discussed in class, you can design a simple research strategy to address it
- you can connect specific issues discussed in class with great topical challenges

3. Making judgements
- you can formulate your own interpretative hypothesis for the classes of artefacs and sources discussed in class
- you can formulate your own critical opinion of the textbooks and articles read in class

4. Communication
- you learn to cooperate in groups to solve archaeological problems
- you exercize your ability to speak appropriatly in front of an audience
- you learn how to write a scientific essay

5. Lifelong learning skills
- you can quickly scan a scientific article for essential information
- you can study on texts written in a language different than your mother tongue
- you can pitch your own ideas to a stakeholder and/or a wider public

A) Scientific English and French

B) Basic knowledge of the History and Archaeology of the Near East.

Prospective students who did not already successfully completed university courses in History and Archaeology of the Near East are required to study in advance and during the course refer to the following handbooks:

1) Rafael Greenberg, "The Archaeology of the Bronze Age Levant: From Urban Origins to the Demise of City-States, 3700–1000 BCE", Cambridge 2019
2) M. Liverani, The Ancient Near East: History, Society and Economy, London 2014

The topic of the course is "Recycling Images". We will analyze contexts, motives and modes of re-use and re-contextualization of long-lived figurative artefacts such as statues, stelas, ivories or seals. Re-use and recycling are common in the archaeological record. Learning how to interpret them is key to a full understanding of any archaeological context and is particularly exciting in the case of figurative objects. In class, we will learn how to identify, date and interpret re-use events. In the first section, based on directed reading of essays, students acquire a theoretical toolbox derived from cultural anthropology, semiotics, urban studies and of course archaeology, learning concepts such as "resemantization", "bricolage", "palimpsest", or, more classically, "spolia". In the second part, students select a case study from the ancient Near East and reseach it, presenting it orally in class and writing a final essay on it.
This class matches the parallel course on "Anthropology of Images", which, this year, explores "Contested Images", ie, public monuments materializing political ideas and catalyzing forms of dissent (keyword "iconoclash"). Students of both courses are invited to take part in a trip to Rome, where the topics discussed in class will be tested in the field (participation is not mandatory).

Directed reading material will be indicated in the Moodle platform and in class.
As basic reference, see
- Salvatore Settis (ed.), "Recycling beauty", Milan 2022
- Sara Marini / Giovanni Corbellini (eds), "Recycled Theory: Illustrated Dictionary", Macerata 2016

The successful student is required to participate proactively in-class activities, including homework and presentation assignments (50% of final grade) and b) to author an essay on a topic discussed in class (50% of final grade).

Lectures, integrated by research and study activities in class. Participants are required to prepare recommended readings before the lecture, to prepare presentations and to engage in class activities.

English-speaking students without or with only basic knowledge of the Italian language are welcome to attend, but are invited to contact the teacher in advance (email me).

Students planning to pass the final examinations without attending lectures are required to contact the teacher via email in due advance in order to discuss the possibility of tailored contents and an appropriate timetable.

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