104-296 Text and Archaeology: Reconstructing ancient civilizations from their written records and material remains

Note

Available as 104-396 at 3rd-year level.

Coordinator

Prerequisites

None

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

Methodological introduction to the reconstruction of ancient societies based on a combination of written and material evidence. The emphasis will be on pre-classical societies. A series of concrete examples will show how text and archaeology can combine to explain the evolution, functioning and interaction of ancient cultures. Topics such as life in the palace of Mari, the battle of Qadesh, the origin of the Etruscans, the Trojan war, are among those that can be covered in the subject.

Assessment

3,000 words of written work (50%) and a 2-hour examination (or equivalent) (50%).

Prescribed Texts

A reading guide will be made available to the students at the beginning of the semester.