Egyptian Archaeology
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The aim of the course, addressed to graduate students, is to provide an in-depth study of the Egyptological discipline. It deals in particular with various aspects of Egyptian archaeology, paying attention to the history of the discoveries and the most recent results of research. Students will also be introduced to the methodology of archaeological research in Egypt, with the presentation of specific case-studies. The most important archaeological discoveries made in Egypt since the 19th century will be presented, in addition to the most recent or ongoing ones. Particular attention will be paid to the archaeological activities in Egypt of the University of Milan. It will also present the history of the formation of Egyptological collections, with the problems related to it, through the documentation preserved in the Egyptology Archives of the University of Milan, with practical exercises (a teaching unit is offered in English).
The educational objective of the course is to develop knowledge of all aspects of Egyptian archaeology, from the history of discoveries to current methodologies and to provide students with the basic skills necessary for fieldwork.
The educational objective of the course is to develop knowledge of all aspects of Egyptian archaeology, from the history of discoveries to current methodologies and to provide students with the basic skills necessary for fieldwork.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course students must have acquired a thorough knowledge of the main Egyptian archaeological sites and monuments, the history of discoveries and the field research methodology applied in Egypt.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course consists in the deepening of the Egyptological discipline. It deals with specific aspects of Egyptian archaeology, with particular attention to archaeological methodology, the history of discoveries and the latest results of field research. In teaching unit A students will be introduced to the methodology of archaeological research, with the presentation of specific case-studies. Teaching unit B will present the most recent archaeological discoveries in the area of Aswan, from Prehistory to the Roman Age, with particular attention to the activities of the Mission of the University of Milan (EIMAWA: Egyptian-Italian Mission at West Aswan). Teaching unit C (in English) will present the great archaeological discoveries in Egypt and the history of the formation of Egyptological collections through the documentation preserved in the Egyptology Archives of the University of Milan, with practical exercises.
Prerequisites for admission
Students must have successfully taken an Egyptology examination, therefore having acquired a basic knowledge of the archaeology, history and culture of Pharaonic Egypt.
Teaching methods
Teaching units A and B consist of:
- Lectures accompanied by images and videos, so as to enable students to associate archaeological and textual data with historical and cultural ones, and learn more about archaeological sites and the most recent discoveries made in Egypt. Much attention will be paid to the excavation methodology. Copyright-free images will be provided to students at the end of each teaching unit via the ARIEL platform. Some copyright-free essays will also be uploaded on ARIEL. Through the images and explanations provided during classes, students can acquire, also with the aid of the volumes indicated in the bibliography and specific essays reported during the course, a thorough knowledge of Egyptian archaeology and of the most recent discoveries in Egypt, including those of the University of Milan in Aswan. Students who have successfully followed this course will eventually be selected, at the end of their studies, to participate in the archaeological mission in Aswan.
- Students will be assigned a specific theme to be explored, either in groups or individually and with the help of the teacher. The research carried out must be summarized in a powerpoint presentation, including texts and images, which will be illustrated by the student in the classroom during the last week of the course.
- Some lectures will be held at the Library of Egyptology, so that the student learns to know and use the main tools for Egyptological research.
Teaching unit C is offered in English. It consists of lectures and practical exercises. These will be carried out at the Egyptology Archives of the University of Milan, so that students can directly view unpublished materials and learn how they should be stored, digitalised and studied.
Course attendance is strongly recommended.
- Lectures accompanied by images and videos, so as to enable students to associate archaeological and textual data with historical and cultural ones, and learn more about archaeological sites and the most recent discoveries made in Egypt. Much attention will be paid to the excavation methodology. Copyright-free images will be provided to students at the end of each teaching unit via the ARIEL platform. Some copyright-free essays will also be uploaded on ARIEL. Through the images and explanations provided during classes, students can acquire, also with the aid of the volumes indicated in the bibliography and specific essays reported during the course, a thorough knowledge of Egyptian archaeology and of the most recent discoveries in Egypt, including those of the University of Milan in Aswan. Students who have successfully followed this course will eventually be selected, at the end of their studies, to participate in the archaeological mission in Aswan.
- Students will be assigned a specific theme to be explored, either in groups or individually and with the help of the teacher. The research carried out must be summarized in a powerpoint presentation, including texts and images, which will be illustrated by the student in the classroom during the last week of the course.
- Some lectures will be held at the Library of Egyptology, so that the student learns to know and use the main tools for Egyptological research.
Teaching unit C is offered in English. It consists of lectures and practical exercises. These will be carried out at the Egyptology Archives of the University of Milan, so that students can directly view unpublished materials and learn how they should be stored, digitalised and studied.
Course attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Bibliography
Teaching Unit A
- Personal notes from the classes.
- Specific essays mentioned during the classes.
- IAN SHAW, Exploring Ancient Egypt, Oxford 2003 (or later editions).
Teaching Unit B
- Personal notes from the classes.
- Specific essays mentioned during the classes.
Teaching Unit C
- Personal notes from the classes.
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From the Sand to the Library. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2010 (Chapters III and IV).
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From Conservation to Enjoyment. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2011 (Chapters I and II).
Bibliography for non-attending students
To obtain 9 credits:
- IAN SHAW, Exploring Ancient Egypt, Oxford 2003, Oxford University Press (o edizioni successive).
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From the Sand to the Library. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2010 (Chapters III and IV).
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From Conservation to Enjoyment. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2011 (Chapters I and II).
- SIX essays chosen by the student among those published in the journal EDAL: Egyptian and Egyptological Documents Archives Libraries VI (2017), Milano, Pontremoli Editore.
(EDAL can be purchased at a discounted price, by students who can provide their UNIMI registration number, through the website of Pontremoli publisher: http://www.libreriapontremoli.it or directly from the bookstore of the Pontremoli publisher in Milano).
To obtain 6 credits:
- IAN SHAW, Exploring Ancient Egypt, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2003 (o edizioni successive).
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From the Sand to the Library. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2010 (Chapters III and IV).
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From Conservation to Enjoyment. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2011 (Chapters I e II).
- THREE essays chosen by the student among those published in the journal EDAL: Egyptian and Egyptological Documents Archives Libraries VI (2017), Milano, Pontremoli Editore.
(EDAL can be purchased at a discounted price, by students who can provide their UNIMI inscription number, through the website of Pontremoli publisher: http://www.libreriapontremoli.it or directly from the bookstore of the Pontremoli publisher in Milano).
Teaching Unit A
- Personal notes from the classes.
- Specific essays mentioned during the classes.
- IAN SHAW, Exploring Ancient Egypt, Oxford 2003 (or later editions).
Teaching Unit B
- Personal notes from the classes.
- Specific essays mentioned during the classes.
Teaching Unit C
- Personal notes from the classes.
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From the Sand to the Library. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2010 (Chapters III and IV).
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From Conservation to Enjoyment. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2011 (Chapters I and II).
Bibliography for non-attending students
To obtain 9 credits:
- IAN SHAW, Exploring Ancient Egypt, Oxford 2003, Oxford University Press (o edizioni successive).
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From the Sand to the Library. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2010 (Chapters III and IV).
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From Conservation to Enjoyment. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2011 (Chapters I and II).
- SIX essays chosen by the student among those published in the journal EDAL: Egyptian and Egyptological Documents Archives Libraries VI (2017), Milano, Pontremoli Editore.
(EDAL can be purchased at a discounted price, by students who can provide their UNIMI registration number, through the website of Pontremoli publisher: http://www.libreriapontremoli.it or directly from the bookstore of the Pontremoli publisher in Milano).
To obtain 6 credits:
- IAN SHAW, Exploring Ancient Egypt, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2003 (o edizioni successive).
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From the Sand to the Library. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2010 (Chapters III and IV).
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From Conservation to Enjoyment. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2011 (Chapters I e II).
- THREE essays chosen by the student among those published in the journal EDAL: Egyptian and Egyptological Documents Archives Libraries VI (2017), Milano, Pontremoli Editore.
(EDAL can be purchased at a discounted price, by students who can provide their UNIMI inscription number, through the website of Pontremoli publisher: http://www.libreriapontremoli.it or directly from the bookstore of the Pontremoli publisher in Milano).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students' expected learning outcomes are ascertained through an oral exam. The exam consists of an interview on the topics of the programme, aimed at verifying thorough knowledge of the history of Egyptian archeology, of the main and most recent discoveries, as well as of the different methodologies applied to excavation in the different Egyptian archaeological contexts. A good knowledge of the Egyptological Archives of the University of Milan is also required. During the interview, images of monuments, archaeological sites, archival materials (shown during the classes or in the Archives during the course, or present in the volumes in the bibliography for non-attending students) will be presented to students. Students are expected to be able to recognize and contextualize them.
Evaluation criteria will be: ability to present the acquired knowledge in a clear and exhaustive way; capacity for critical reasoning on the study carried out; quality of exposure; competence in the use of specialized vocabulary; ability to prepare and present in the classroom through powerpoint a personal research on a specific topic agreed with the teacher (this last aspect for attending students).
Marks are out of 30 (minimum 18, maximum 30/30 cum laude).
Student can attend teaching units A and B or A and C to obtain 6 credits (the introductory module A is mandatory). Students aiming at 9 credits must attend units A, B and C.
It is not possible to obtain only 3 credits (attending a single unit).
Evaluation criteria will be: ability to present the acquired knowledge in a clear and exhaustive way; capacity for critical reasoning on the study carried out; quality of exposure; competence in the use of specialized vocabulary; ability to prepare and present in the classroom through powerpoint a personal research on a specific topic agreed with the teacher (this last aspect for attending students).
Marks are out of 30 (minimum 18, maximum 30/30 cum laude).
Student can attend teaching units A and B or A and C to obtain 6 credits (the introductory module A is mandatory). Students aiming at 9 credits must attend units A, B and C.
It is not possible to obtain only 3 credits (attending a single unit).
Unita' didattica A
L-OR/02 - EGYPTOLOGY AND COPTIC CIVILIZATION - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-OR/02 - EGYPTOLOGY AND COPTIC CIVILIZATION - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-OR/02 - EGYPTOLOGY AND COPTIC CIVILIZATION - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday 11am-13am, Thursday 11am-12am, on appointment by e-mail
Office (Library of Egyptology)