Prehistoric Ecology
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide the basic skills necessary for the acquisition of the methodology of research in prehistoric ecology, and its use in a complex diachronic multi- and interdisciplinary framework with particular reference to the Bronze Age in northern Italy. The lectures will provide indications on recovery and sampling of all the archaeological evidence useful for the reconstruction of the man-environment relationship and, specifically, of the dynamics of land use for agricultural purposes between the end of the 3rd and the beginning of the 1st millennium B.C. in Po Valley and Alpine Italy. Particular attention will be dedicated to the archeobiological evidence ( archeobotany and zooarcheology) and to the study and critical edition of the materials.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: basic knowledge of the methodology of research in prehistoric ecology.
Applying knowledge and understanding: basic skills required to apply the methodology of research in a complex diachronic framework of multi- and interdisciplinary type.
Applying knowledge and understanding: basic skills required to apply the methodology of research in a complex diachronic framework of multi- and interdisciplinary type.
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
Teaching Unit A (20 hours, 3 cfu): Principles, methods and aims of research in Prehistoric Ecology
Educational unit B (20 hours, 3 cfu): Environments, settlements, economy, chronology and cultural groups of the Bronze Age in Northern Italy
Teaching unit C (20 hours, 3 cfu): Subsistence activities in Northern Italy Bronze Age: agriculture and livestock breeding.
Educational unit B (20 hours, 3 cfu): Environments, settlements, economy, chronology and cultural groups of the Bronze Age in Northern Italy
Teaching unit C (20 hours, 3 cfu): Subsistence activities in Northern Italy Bronze Age: agriculture and livestock breeding.
Prerequisites for admission
Prehistory; Methodology of archaeological research (strongly recommended). Curiosity, willingness to work in groups and actively contribute to the individual and collective learning process
Teaching methods
The course will take place alternating frontal lessons with individual or group presentations by the students. The lessons will present images in the form of power points and the use of other media (docufilm). Practical activities are foreseen within PrEcLab (Laboratory of Prehistory, Protohistory and Prehistoric Ecology of the Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage of the University of Milan).
Teaching Resources
Teaching Unit A
1. De Grossi Mazzorin J. 2008, Archeozoologia. Lo studio dei resti animali in archeologia, Laterza.
2. Di Pasquale G. 2011, Che cos'è l'archeobotanica, Carocci.
Teaching Unit B
1. Bietti Sestieri A.M. 2010, L' Italia nell'età del bronzo e del ferro. Dalle palafitte a Romolo (2200-700 a. C.) (Sole parti sull'età del Bronzo dell'Italia settentrionale)
Teaching Unit C
2. De Grossi Mazzorin J., Curci A., Giacobini G. 2013, Economia e ambiente nell'Italia padana dell'età del bronzo. Le indagini bioarchelogiche, Edipuglia.
3. Salvagno L., Tecchiati U. 2011, I resti faunistici del villaggio dell'età del bronzo di Sotćiastel: economia e vita di una comunità protostorica alpina, ca. XVII-XIV sec. a. C., Ladinia Monografica. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316787759_SALVAGNO_L_TECCHIATI_U_2011_I_resti_faunistici_del_villaggio_dell'eta_del_Bronzo_di_Sotciastel_Economia_e_vita_di_una_comunita_protostorica_alpina_ca_XVII-XIV_sec_aC_Ladinia_Monografica_3_Istitut_Ladin
The teaching materials presented in the lectures (slides) and handouts will be available on the Prehistory page of the Ariel platform (http://ariel.unimi.it/User/Default.aspx), once the lessons related to the teaching units in question have been completed.
Non-attending students can agree on an alternative study path and preparation for the exam with the teacher
NB: The program may be subject to changes and updates; it will be expressed in its final form at the end of the course and published in Ariel (https://utecchiatip.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx).
Additional bibliography will be indicated during the course.
1. De Grossi Mazzorin J. 2008, Archeozoologia. Lo studio dei resti animali in archeologia, Laterza.
2. Di Pasquale G. 2011, Che cos'è l'archeobotanica, Carocci.
Teaching Unit B
1. Bietti Sestieri A.M. 2010, L' Italia nell'età del bronzo e del ferro. Dalle palafitte a Romolo (2200-700 a. C.) (Sole parti sull'età del Bronzo dell'Italia settentrionale)
Teaching Unit C
2. De Grossi Mazzorin J., Curci A., Giacobini G. 2013, Economia e ambiente nell'Italia padana dell'età del bronzo. Le indagini bioarchelogiche, Edipuglia.
3. Salvagno L., Tecchiati U. 2011, I resti faunistici del villaggio dell'età del bronzo di Sotćiastel: economia e vita di una comunità protostorica alpina, ca. XVII-XIV sec. a. C., Ladinia Monografica. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316787759_SALVAGNO_L_TECCHIATI_U_2011_I_resti_faunistici_del_villaggio_dell'eta_del_Bronzo_di_Sotciastel_Economia_e_vita_di_una_comunita_protostorica_alpina_ca_XVII-XIV_sec_aC_Ladinia_Monografica_3_Istitut_Ladin
The teaching materials presented in the lectures (slides) and handouts will be available on the Prehistory page of the Ariel platform (http://ariel.unimi.it/User/Default.aspx), once the lessons related to the teaching units in question have been completed.
Non-attending students can agree on an alternative study path and preparation for the exam with the teacher
NB: The program may be subject to changes and updates; it will be expressed in its final form at the end of the course and published in Ariel (https://utecchiatip.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx).
Additional bibliography will be indicated during the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a preliminary written test and an oral test, both of which are obligatory, to ascertain students' knowledge of the subjects on the programme.
The written examination includes:
- 6 extended open answers (max 20 lines) on general topics (12 points);
- 6 short open-ended answers (max 10 lines) on specific subjects dealt with in class (total 12 points);
- Chronological and cultural classification of 6 images (finds, sites, other) (total 6 points).
The oral test includes:
- the verification of the knowledge of the texts reported in the bibliography according to the specific indications provided by the teacher, the handouts and other teaching aids made available to the students,
- the presentation of a thesis related to module C consisting of a power point presentation and a written text of three folders (bibliography excluded).
The written examination includes:
- 6 extended open answers (max 20 lines) on general topics (12 points);
- 6 short open-ended answers (max 10 lines) on specific subjects dealt with in class (total 12 points);
- Chronological and cultural classification of 6 images (finds, sites, other) (total 6 points).
The oral test includes:
- the verification of the knowledge of the texts reported in the bibliography according to the specific indications provided by the teacher, the handouts and other teaching aids made available to the students,
- the presentation of a thesis related to module C consisting of a power point presentation and a written text of three folders (bibliography excluded).
Modules or teaching units
Unita' didattica A
L-ANT/01 - PREHISTORY AND EARLY HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-ANT/01 - PREHISTORY AND EARLY HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-ANT/01 - PREHISTORY AND EARLY HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)