Archaeology

SAVINO DI LERNIA

Consistent with the educational purposes of the “LM-2 Archaeology”, aim of the course is to give to the students basic knowledge and comprehension skills in the field of ETHNOARCHAEOLOGY, with the help of advanced textbooks. Moreover, it will make the student able to apply the acquired knowledge competently and thoughtfully, making autonomous judgments, communicating ideas, problems and thought in a clear and correct way, and developing the knowledge required to go further in the studies.

The course aims to provide theoretical, methodological and cultural elements related to ethnoarcheology, providing an updated overview of field research strategies, focused on the study of multiple socio-cultural contexts in different environmental and regional contexts. The study of 'traditional' societies and forms of 'local knowledge' will be used to provide critical elements for the analysis and interpretation of contexts of archaeological interest.

Ability to:
- manage bibliographic sources in a critical manner.
- compile, analyze and process complex ethnoarchaeological data
- clearly present the results of their work

Basic knowledge of English and French is recommended.

Methodology and practice of ethnoarcheological research

The course aims to provide the student with the methodological and practical indications of ethno-archaeological research. The lectures are dedicated to the analysis and discussion of different and interrelated issues, from theoretical and methodological assumptions of archaeological interpretation, to the formation processes of the archaeological deposit, to the mechanisms of classification of material culture, to the understanding of settlement systems. The course addresses these issues in a trans-regional and cross-cultural perspective, with particular attention to local "knowledge" and "tradition" as models for sustainable development, analyzing case studies from different environments and regions of the world.

David N., Kramer. C. 2001 "Ethnoarchaeology in action". Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

PDFs and other material distributed during the course

The course consists of frontal thematic lessons (each lesson deals with a specific topic), with the aim of favoring the understanding of and the connections between theoretical aspects, case studies and archaeological interpretations. The first part provides a historical perspective of the discipline and its methodological basis, useful to deal adequately with the second part, organized with a seminar. This deepens specific elements through case studies related to traditional societies.

Course attendance is not compulsory to do the oral exam. The seminar, by its nature and structure, requires a frequency of at least 3/4 of the lessons and discussion cycles.

Presentations, normally PowerPoint, are organized in groups and evaluated from time to time on the basis of the independence of the work done, critical approach and exposure skills. The final test is oral and can only be discussed at the end of the course. It is aimed at assessing the overall knowledge acquired: in particular, familiarity with theoretical and methodological aspects, together with the main topics discussed

Analysis of bibliographic sources; quantitative and qualitative analysis of the ethnoarchaeological contexts under investigation; main elements of comparison and interpretation

• Introduction
  • Books: David, Kramer 2001 (cap. 1)


• Site formation processes
  • Books: David, Kramer 2001 (cap. 4)


• Hunter-gatherers of tropical areas
  • Books: David, Kramer 2001 (cap. 5-6)


• Lithic production
  • Books: David, Kramer 2001 (cap. 6)


• Nomads in arid zones
  • Books: David, Kramer 2001 (cap. 8-9)


• Pottery production
  • Books: David, Kramer 2001 (cap. 7, 11)


• General models
  • Books: David, Kramer 2001 (cap. 6, 13)