ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE SILK ROAD

The course focuses on the archaeology, fine arts and material culture of the ancient 'Silk Road' regions between 500 BCE and 1000 CE. The course aims to introduce students to the issues of archaeology, fine arts and material culture from Afghanistan to South and Central Asia. In particular, the focus will be on the period between the formation of the polities of the so-called 'Hellenistic Far East', up to the later political and economic control systems (Saka and Kushan phases) in the period between c. 300 BC and 350 BC. The geographical focus is on the Gandhara region (modern Pakistan and Afghanistan).
The study area specifically includes Afghanistan and other regions critical for their cultural heritage. For this reason, the course will introduce the main archaeological areas and sites, also addressing the issues of 'archaeological and monumental heritage' in the area, the question of 'archaeological contexts', presenting the history of studies and methodologies, and case studies.

At the end of this course, students should have acquired a good understanding of the history and historical geography of the region, a fair knowledge of the main sites and excavations, as well as the main research topics with a focus on Gandharan/Silk Road art and archaeology, a good understanding of the topics discussed and the related methodologies, and, in particular, the following points: 1. Knowledge and critical understanding of the main topics concerning the cultural history of the study area; 2. Correct evaluation of the historical-artistic importance of an artefact, a site or an archaeological area; 3. Formation of an autonomous idea, reasoned and free from preconceived theories, on the characterisations and transformations of the cultural territory, as well as on the characterisations and transformations of the cultural heritage of a civilisation; 4. Ability to autonomously interpret the main sources, with particular reference to Gandharan/Silk Road art and archaeology 5. Autonomous capacity to interpret the main sources, written (in translation) and iconographic, in the field of cultural heritage; 6. Capacity to autonomously find and consult resources and basic tools for learning and updating knowledge and skills in the field of cultural heritage. 7. Ability to develop questions in a clear and articulate manner in order to deepen, complete and integrate the knowledge and skills learnt. 8. Ability to express with logical rigour in written and/or oral form the knowledge and skills learnt in the course of study.

This is not necessary. However, a basic knowledge of ancient history, geography and ancient art history is preferable. Supplementary materials and tutoring may be provided for students who require specific help in this regard.

Urban archaeology
Sanctuaries
Sanctuaries and cities
The role of religious communities
Art, elites and donation
Architecture and technology
Import and exchange of technical knowledge
Behind the elites: the archaeology of subalterns
Economy and production
Political control systems
Trade and communication
Global factors: climate change

1a) Ciro Lo Muzio, Archeologia dell’Asia Centrale preislamica. Mondadori Università, Milano, 2017 (ISBN: 9788861844124): selected chapters.
1) Luca M. Olivieri. The archaeology of Gandhara. Oxford Research Encyclopedia, Anthropology, 2022.
2) Luca M. Olivieri, Stoneyards and Artists in Gandhara. The Buddhist Stupa of Saidu Sharif I, Swat (c. 50 CE) https://edizionicafoscari.unive.it/it/edizioni4/libri/978-88-6969-577-3/ : selected chapters
3) L.M. Olivieri, Digging up. Fieldwork guidelines for archaeology students. Sang-e-Meel, Lahore 2014 [available as a free resource]: selected chapters.
4) P. Newson and R. Young (ed.) Post-Conflict Archaeology and Cultural. Rebuilding Knowledge, Memory and Community from War-Damaged Material Culture. Routledge, New York, 2017: Chapter 13.
5) S. Withfield, Silk Roads: Peoples, Cultures, Landscapes. Thames and Hudson, London 2019: selected chapters.
6) Further readings to be downloaded from Ariel/Moodle.

Space will be given to active discussion of the main topics to test understanding of the subject.
Individual material cataloguing and study exercises will be conducted on materials uploaded on the Ariel teaching platform.
Before the exam, students will be requested to complete two class assigmnents: 1) a questionnaire; b) present a short (max. 3000 words in English) research essay on a topic selected by the candidate that references and cites the texts we have studied. These assignments will be completed during the last two classes.
A short written summary will be requested every 4 lessons (asynchronous mode). These summaries will be corrected individually as they are submitted.

Lectures with illustrated Power Point images and texts. These will be made available to the students possibly before each lesson (or at least immediately after) on the Ariel university platform.
Part of the lecture will be devoted to active discussion of the main topics.
The study exercises (both asynchronous and in class) will be conducted on the materials uploaded on the Ariel teaching platform.
A short written summary will be requested every 4 lessons (asynchronous mode). These summaries will be corrected individually as they are submitted.

English

The exam will be conducted orally and in person. The submission of a short essay on one of the topics covered during the course is recommended (but not compulsory) for the exam. The essay can be 5-10 pages (i.e. 5-10 slides), including the introduction and references. The APA style can be adopted for references (see e.g. https://www.iup.edu/writingcenter/writing-resources/research-and-documentation/apa-style/what-is-apa.html ; https://libguides.csudh.edu/ld.php?content_id=52097964 ). For the preparation of the essay, if the candidate agrees, I would prefer it to be shared with the lecturer during the writing process, so that suggestions can be made on both form and content. This correction phase should be completed no later than one week before the examination date. In the case of an essay (I repeat: not compulsory), the second part of the exam will be a general interview on the course content. If you prefer not to do the essay, the entire examination will focus on the content with questions (which can also be carried out by requesting a commentary on images of objects and works of art), trying to activate an active interview on the answers, in the least mechanical way possible.

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