Palaeoethnology
The course aims at offering advanced knowledge on both the theoretical-methodological approaches to the study of prehistoric societies and the main themes related to the socio-economic and cultural developments during the late Prehistory and Protohistory. The Italian peninsula and the Mediterranean will constitute the focus for specific analyses, which will embrace a perspective that includes the research, study, protection and valorization of the prehistoric and protohistoric archaeological record. Besides the archaeological evidence of historical processes and present-day methodological debate, a range of topics will be taken into consideration during the course, such as the main bias in the knowledge those processes, advanced techniques of investigations, issues of site protection ad dissemination to the public of scientific results about prehistoric contexts and socio-economic trajectories in Late Prehistory.
The course will have a seminar form. Introductive lessons will be followed by participants’ presentations and collective discussions on the basis of selected readings. Specific themes and area/periods to be covered during the seminar will be agreed upon with the students.
The syllabus and reading material will be provided during the seminar
- Fieldwork: excavations in the Bronze Age settlement of Coppa Nevigata (Manfredonia – FG). Coppa Nevigata is one of the major Bronze Age fortified settlement in central-southern Italy; extensive explorations have brought to light a large portion of the site. A long-lasting settlement, located on the shore of an ancient lagoon, it was established in the 18th c. BC and continuously occupied up the Early Iron Age (8th c. BC). It was actively involved in local and maritime exchange networks. Characterizing features are the massive defensive lines.
The fieldwork season (4 weeks) takes place between September and October; 5 CFU; 2-weeks shifts. - Laboratories and stages: processing and recording of prehistoric and protohistoric artefacts and excavation archives. Activities include: drawing, recording, ordering, data digitalization, filling of databases. Development of a geodatabase and GIS based territorial analyses of prehistoric/ protohistoric contexts; spatial analyses.
Duration: 25-75 hours. Times and week-plans will be agreed upon with the participants. - Guided tours at sites, museums and collections displaying prehistoric and protohistoric materials.