Mediterranean Archaeology

ALESSANDRO VANZETTI
ALESSANDRO VANZETTI

The course aims to introduce the core relevance theme of the relationship between the mobility of human groups and the forms of society within the Ancient Mediterranean, from Prehistory to the Middle Ages. Both cases of individual or small group and of massive mobility (migrations) will be analysed, and contrasted with the background of medium and long-distance trade, as well as of even or asymmetrical relationships between societies. The connection between these two aspects, mobility and society, will be highlighted, through consolidated research topics and innovative and interdisciplinary issues, mainly derived from the anthropological and biological sciences. The course will enable students to master the current debate and acquire full awareness of the necessary skills for a modern interdisciplinary investigation.

The course aims to introduce the core relevance theme of the relationship between the mobility of human groups and the forms of society within the Ancient Mediterranean, from Prehistory to the Middle Ages. Both cases of individual or small group and of massive mobility (migrations) will be analysed, and contrasted with the background of medium and long-distance trade, as well as of even or asymmetrical relationships between societies. The connection between these two aspects, mobility and society, will be highlighted, through consolidated research topics and innovative and interdisciplinary issues, mainly derived from the anthropological and biological sciences. The course will enable students to master the current debate and acquire full awareness of the necessary skills for a modern interdisciplinary investigation.

No specific prerequisites are necessary. Knowledge of prehistory and ancient history of the Mediterranean will ease attending the course.
It is preferable to be acquainted with thematic library functioning (e.g. Library of Palaeoethnology, at ex-Vetrerie Sciarra - https://opac.uniroma1.it/SebinaOpacRMS/library/Scienze%20dell'antichit%C3%A0%20-%20Sede%20Paletnologia/RMS$5L04 OR http://www.antichita.uniroma1.it/paletnologia

Preferable to have the ability to mine internet library/journal databases
e.g. https://web.uniroma1.it/sbs/discoverysapienza ALSO IN REMOTE ACCESS https://login.ezproxy.uniroma1.it/login

The relationship between the mobility of human groups and the forms of society in the ancient Mediterranean represents the core argument of the course.
This module will focus on periods between Prehistory and the Roman Age, encompassing more than 50.000 years.
The precise Syllabus will be available at the start of the course.

Main subjects:
- Introduction to problems, indicators, markers of mobility and connectivity.
- Palaeolithic mobility, theoretical concepts of human species and human transitions.
- Neolithic mobility and differences; integration in an already settled space, from Mediterranean coasts to inner Africa and Europe.
- aDNA, cultures and identities; mobility and humans.

The students will be assigned arguments and papers for individual presentations or collective debate and seminars.
They will have to write a short paper for the final evaluation.

- Cyprian Broodbank 2013 - The Making of the Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean from the Beginning to the Emergence of the Classical World, Oxford, OUP

Other papers and texts will be selected at the beginnings and during the course.

General texts, to be presented for selected parts at the beginning and during the course.

- Franco De Angelis ed. 2020 - A Companion to Greeks Across the Ancient World, Wiley & Sons
- Jean Guilaine 1994 - La mer partagée : la Méditerranée avant l'écriture : 7000-2000 avant Jésus-Christ, Paris, Hachette
- Peregrine Horden & Nicholas Purcell 2000 - The corrupting sea. A Study of Mediterranean History, Wiley-Blackwell
- Elio Lo Cascio & Laurens E.Tacoma eds. 2016 - Between Mobility and Connectivity in the Ancient Mediterranean, Leiden, Brill

About 2/3 of the course will consist in academic lessons by the professor and invited scholars.
About 1/3 of the course will consist in students' presentations and discussion, based upon assigned papers and arguments.
Museum visits will complement class teaching.
The precise calendar will be defined in relation with the number of students, at the start of the course.

The sequential structure of the course requires a constant attendance.

The evaluation is composed of:
- the evaluation of class attendance and of the participation to the class debate
- one oral presentation with the help of computer devices (e.g. MS Powerpoint), on a specific subject
- one written paper on the same specific subject
- oral questions (a couple) on general themes treated during the course

No remarks