History, Anthropology, Religions

The course is aimed at students interested in the most important phases of human biological and cultural evolution. We will investigate the main methodologies aimed at reconstructing prehistoric contexts such as, for example, palaeobotany, archeozoology, physical anthropology, the study of lithic technology. The course will cover key aspects of the most ancient phases of human cultural development, with a particular focus on ancient human-environment interaction. The course will cover a chronological period from the appearance of the first stone technology to the spread of agriculture in the Italian peninsula.

To successfully follow the course Prehistory and Protohistory, it is useful, though not essential, to have basic knowledge of Cultural Anthropology, and Natural Sciences, particularly concerning the processes of human biological and cultural evolution. A general understanding of the main prehistoric chronological periods (Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic) and of basic lithic and ceramic production techniques will facilitate the comprehension of the course topics. Familiarity with archaeological terminology and with the reading of maps and chronological frameworks is also recommended. However, the course is designed to be accessible even to students approaching prehistoric studies and research methodologies for the first time.

1. Martini, F. (2019) Archeologia del Paleolitico. 2nd edn. Roma: Carocci Editore. 2. Manzi, G. (2018) Il grande racconto dell'evoluzione umana. Bologna: Il Mulino. 3. Biondi, G., Martini, F., Rickards, O. and Rotilio, G. (2007) In carne e ossa, Parte II. Roma-Bari: Laterza (Collana Percorsi). 4. Renfrew, C., Bahn, P. and DeMarrais, E. (2024) L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi – Pratiche. 3rd Italian edition. Bologna: Zanichelli. 5. Shipman, P. (2015) Invasori. Roma: Carocci Editore. 6. Rotilio, G. (2012) Il migratore onnivoro: Storia e geografia della migrazione umana. Roma: Carocci Editore. 7. Cristiani, E. and Boric, D. (2023) Parure di antichi cacciatori-raccoglitori dell'Europa sud-orientale.

The course includes traditional lessons. Attendance, while not mandatory, is strongly recommended.

To pass the exam, it is necessary to achieve a grade of not less than 18/30. To pass the exam, the student must demonstrate that he has acquired sufficient knowledge of the topics covered during the course. Exam eligibility will be achieved through oral assessment, attendance, active participation, reasoning ability, and independent study. To achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, the student must instead demonstrate that he has acquired an excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, being able to connect them logically and coherently. During the course, the student must select a specific topic to develop on his own and discuss it with the teacher and colleagues.

The course includes traditional lessons where students will be illustrated with various concepts and direct and indirect archaeological evidence related to the early Prehistory. The lessons include the discussion of archaeological evidence from the lower Paleolithic to the Neolithic. Attendance, while not mandatory, is strongly recommended. Furthermore, students will have to compile PowerPoint presentations on one of the topics covered during the course and deepen through the assignment of articles and book chapters to read. These presentations will be evaluated by both the teacher and the other students and will form part of the final mark.