THEMATIC SEMINAR (SOUTH ASIA)

The thematic seminar is built according to a multi-disciplinary approach, and it will focus on 'THE RIGHTS TO THE CULTURAL HERITAGE'. Religion and religiosity in South Asia: Texts, Forms, Material Cultural
The seminar is organised in 15 multidisciplinary lectures with the contributions of experts from this University and external researchers.

The geographical area includes in particular Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal.
The contents concern the presentation of the problem of the "archaeological and monumental heritage" of the area, presenting the history of studies and methodologies, and case studies. The latter are chosen for their representativeness with respect to the second part of the denomination, that is "the rights to cultural heritage". By cultural heritage rights we mean universal and public rights to cultural heritage as a universal but public heritage. Obviously these rights are at risk in countries with prolonged civil rights crises, war crises, post-conflict crises.
Therefore, during the course we will talk about the interventions that would have had as their purpose the access to the right to Heritage, the active bodies and institutions (UNESCO, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, NGOs, ICOMOS, ICCROM, Italian Cooperation - AICS, Cooperations of EU Countries and extra-EU), the "philosophies" of the intervention, the methodologies, the social and micro-economic reflection (interventions seen as training schools) of these interventions, etc. In particular, the question of the so-called "relationship with the community" or "community response" will be considered. This also includes the question of the methods of intervention on religious monuments.
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 pairs well with LM2640 and ideally intersects with LM 2500 (DM 270 FM2).

A good understanding of the thematics discussed and related problematics and methodologies.
The student will acquire knowledge and skills that will allow better understanding the evolution of archaeological research and practices of conservation, preservation and enhancement of heritage in the context of major political changes in the region.

Not necessary. Basic knowledge of South Asian cultures is though preferred.

The geographical area includes in particular Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal.
The contents concern the presentation of the problem of the "archaeological and monumental heritage" of the area between Afghanistan and northern Pakistan, presenting the history of studies and methodologies, and case studies. The latter are chosen for their representativeness with respect to the second part of the denomination, that is "the rights to cultural heritage": Mes Aynak, Bamiyan, Swat, Taxila, Gilgit-Baltistan.
The course is divided into 4 parts each of 4 weeks, the last of three weeks
Part 1: Rights and Theory (texts 1, 3, 5, 6; see below)
Part 2: Buddhism, politics and authenticity (texts 2, 4; see below)
Part 3: Case Studies: 3.1 Mes Aynak, 3.2, Bamiyan, 3.3 Swat, 3.4 Gilgit Baltistan
Part 4: expert seminars.

1) P. Newson/R. Young (ed.) Post-Conflict Archaeology and Cultural Heritage: Rebuilding Knowledge, Memory and Community from War-Damaged Material Culture. Routledge/Taylor and Francis, New York-London, 2017: Chapters 1, 2, 12, 13, 15
2) G. Wijesuriya/S. Lee (ed.) Asian Buddhist heritage: Conserving the Sacred. ICCROM-CHA [South Korea], Rome, 2017 (open): Chapters 7, 8, 12 (13, 14).
3) L.M. Olivieri (con contributi di A. Filigenzi, L. Alberti, M. Vidale), Guidelines for Archaeology Officers (in inglese, dari, pashto). Afghan Institute of Archaeology (Govt of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan), Kabul, 2021 [N.B.: ante-15 agosto 2021]: Chapters:
4) H.Prabha Ray, The Return of the Buddha. Ancient Symbols for a New Nation. Routledge/Taylor and Francis, New York-London, 20174: Chapters 1, 3
5) A.J. Connolly (ed.) Cultural Heritage Rights: Chapters 1, 2, 14, 15, 22.
6) M. Vidale. Archeologia. Teorie, metodi, strumenti. Carocci, Roma, 2022: Capitolo 1

Handouts and further readings will be made available on Moodle

The last part of every class will be devoted to actively discuss the main topics so to test the understanding of the subject-matter.
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.

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. Students are encouraged to work on the paper beforehand but cannot use their notes during the exam.

Italian

Tutorship in English is available
The last part of every class will be devoted to actively discuss the main topics.
Some of the lectures will be delivered in English.

oral

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