Enrollment year
2019/2020
Academic discipline
L-OR/05 (ARCHEOLOGY AND ART HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES
Curriculum
PERCORSO COMUNE
Period
2nd semester (24/02/2020 - 27/05/2020)
Lesson hours
36 lesson hours
Learning outcomes
aim of the course is to introduce the students to the archaeology of western Asia, and to the critical discussion of the analysis of the archaeological evidence. The ultimate goal is to become aware of an early cultural tradition and become able to integrate this tradition in the wider discourse on memory and identity connected with the ancient Mediterranean and the study of the Ancient World
Course contents
Wine production and consumption in Ancient western Asia.
Among the agricultural products, wine occupies from its very origin a special role in ancient Mediterranean societies. This role originates in the climatic and geo-physical limitations required by the cultivation of grapevine as well as in the toxic properties, both essential for determining its high value. The seminar aims at introducing the participants to the basic botanic and agricultural notions beyond wine production, as well as to the evidence and methods available for its study in antiquity. From there the course will move to explore the origin, the techniques of cultivation of grapevine in ancient western Asia, and the storage and production of wine. Above all, the course will focus on use, circulation, and value in the different historical contexts of ancient western Asia from the Neolithic to the definition of the archaic symposion
Teaching methods
frontal lecture and seminar classes with presentation of case studies by students in class
Reccomended or required readings
students are required to study and prepare for the exam the handbook of R. Matthews, Archaeology of Mesopotamia, London 2003. Moreover, literature for the monographic course on wine will be assigned for reading class by class. A syllabus with the readings for each class will be offered at the beginning of the course. An introductory reading is P.E. McGovern, Origins and ancient history of wine, Luxenbourg 1995
Assessment methods
participation in class (ca. 15%: 5/30pt); presentation in class (ca 25%; 7/30pt); final oral exam based on the handbook (60%: 18pt/30)
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