Islamic archaeology
The course aims to provide students with methodological skills and content knowledge for approaching the study of the material culture produced in the dar al-Islam from 7th to 13th century. Through the discussion of a number of case-studies students will learn how to describe, analyse and contextualise archaeological evidence, and to reconstruct synchronic and diachronic trajectories of acquisition, transformation and transmission of forms, techniques and traditions. They will also become acquainted with issues related to the history of the discipline, excavations, archival material, museum collections, conservation and fruition. Specific workshops will be devoted to architecture, ceramic production, epigraphy and numismatics.
Specific readings will be suggested during the course.