European Later Prehistory
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide a broad framework of knowledge relating to the Bronze Age Societies. Archaeologists have organised Prehistory according to a technological criterion, and therefore exist the Stone Age divided into Paleolithic and Neolithic, the Copper Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. The last two periods are the field of the so called Later Prehistory (II and I millennium BC).
The European Bronze Age is aunique stage for its cultural richness and variety, for the high technological level achieved in metalworking, for the exchanges of raw materials and prestige goods by long-distance relationships. It should be noted that this features took place in a period characterized by a strong acceleration in socio-economic development of the communities, which nevertheless never reached complex organisational form of the state.
In the academic year 2022-2023 the course, after providing a general Bronze Age overview, will deepen the weaponry sphere; the archaeological data will be considered in the perspective of technology, warfare, and by social, ideological and cultural implications as well.
Pratically, the aim is to achieve the capacity to recognize and interpretate the sources, that in addition to the archeological record from inhabited, funerary and cultural sites, include natural remnants as well, usefull to recostruct the palaeo-environment and examine the man - environment relationship.
The European Bronze Age is aunique stage for its cultural richness and variety, for the high technological level achieved in metalworking, for the exchanges of raw materials and prestige goods by long-distance relationships. It should be noted that this features took place in a period characterized by a strong acceleration in socio-economic development of the communities, which nevertheless never reached complex organisational form of the state.
In the academic year 2022-2023 the course, after providing a general Bronze Age overview, will deepen the weaponry sphere; the archaeological data will be considered in the perspective of technology, warfare, and by social, ideological and cultural implications as well.
Pratically, the aim is to achieve the capacity to recognize and interpretate the sources, that in addition to the archeological record from inhabited, funerary and cultural sites, include natural remnants as well, usefull to recostruct the palaeo-environment and examine the man - environment relationship.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge of archeological sources, with particular regard to material culture and productions, artistic expressions, settlement pattern, funerary documentation, economy and exchanges.
Knowledge of literature, seminal sources and interpretations that have most significantly contributed to the understanding of the contexts
Skills in use archeological sources in order to read and interpret the ideological aspects and the social and economic structures. Assessment skills to evaluate open problems and possible divergent interpretations of phenomena.
Knowledge of literature, seminal sources and interpretations that have most significantly contributed to the understanding of the contexts
Skills in use archeological sources in order to read and interpret the ideological aspects and the social and economic structures. Assessment skills to evaluate open problems and possible divergent interpretations of phenomena.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
The course focuses on the Bronze Age (particular attention will be given to the archaeological contexts in northern Italy) .
The program is divided into 3 teaching units of 3 C.F.U. each.
Part 1 - Introduction to later Prehistory: methodologies and practices; the European Bronze Age; Chronology and Cultures.
Part 2 - Life (and death) in the Bronze Age: settlements and funerary contexts for the reconstruction of economy, crafts and exchanges. Ideology and cults.
Part 3 - Weapons: technology, warfare and fighting, social, ideological and cultural implications.
Students who take the 6 C.F.U. exam, will study only the Didactic Units 1 and 2.
For any specific needs or questions, Students might write to the professor ([email protected]).
Many texts are available in pdf on the Ariel platform once the lessons relating to the didactic units in question have been concluded.
Please note that the program may undergo changes and updates and will be expressed in its definitive form at the end of the course.
The program is divided into 3 teaching units of 3 C.F.U. each.
Part 1 - Introduction to later Prehistory: methodologies and practices; the European Bronze Age; Chronology and Cultures.
Part 2 - Life (and death) in the Bronze Age: settlements and funerary contexts for the reconstruction of economy, crafts and exchanges. Ideology and cults.
Part 3 - Weapons: technology, warfare and fighting, social, ideological and cultural implications.
Students who take the 6 C.F.U. exam, will study only the Didactic Units 1 and 2.
For any specific needs or questions, Students might write to the professor ([email protected]).
Many texts are available in pdf on the Ariel platform once the lessons relating to the didactic units in question have been concluded.
Please note that the program may undergo changes and updates and will be expressed in its definitive form at the end of the course.
Prerequisites for admission
No requirements are needed
Teaching methods
Lectures.
Teaching Resources
Part 1 - Introduction to later Prehistory: methodologies and practices; the European Bronze Age; Chronology and Cultures.
de Marinis R.C., Archeologia e arte antica in Enciclopedia europea, 12, Milano 1984, pp. 559-568.
de Marinis R.C., Cultura archeologica, facies archeologica, gruppo culturale e civiltà nella letteratura pre- e protostorica italiana, in Danckers J., Cavazzuti C., Cattani M. (eds.), Facies e culture nell'età del Bronzo italiana? Atti del Convegno di Roma, Institut Historique Belge de Rome, 3-4.12.2015, ARTES 11, pp. 27-39.
Part 2 - Life (and death) in the Bronze Age: settlements and funerary contexts for the reconstruction of economy, crafts and exchanges. Ideology and cults.
Rapi M., 2013, "Dall'età del Rame all'età del Bronzo. I primi villaggi palafitticoli e la cultura di Polada", in de Marinis R.C. (ed.), L'età del Rame. La pianura padana e le Alpi al tempo di Ötzi, Roccafranca (Brescia), 525-544.
Marzatico F., Tecchiati U., L'età del Bronzo in Trentino e Alto Adige/Sùdtirol, Atti XXXIII Riunione Scientifica IIPP Trento 1997, Firenze, 2005 p. 45-92.
de Marinis R.C., "L'età del Bronzo nella regione benacense e nella pianura padana a nord del Po", in Bernabò Brea M., Cardarelli A. e Cremaschi M. (a c. di), Le Terramare. La più antica civiltà padana, Milano, 1997, pp. 405-419.
Bernabò Brea M., "Le terramare nell'età del Bronzo", in Bernabò Brea M., Cremaschi M. (a c. di), Acqua e civiltà nelle terramare. La vasca votiva di Noceto, Milano, 2009, pp. 5-16.
de Marinis R.C., "La protostoria del territorio di Varese" (pp. 11 ss.), "L'età del Bronzo nelle palafitte del lago di Varese" (pp. 124-139), "La palafitta del Sabbione di Monate" (pp. 661-668) in R.C. de Marinis, M. Pizzo e S. Massa (a c. di), Alle origini di Varese e del suo territorio, Roma, 2009.
Rapi M., Il complesso del Lavagnone 3. Scavi dell'Università degli Studi di Milano (1989-2006) in Palafitte - Collana di studi sui siti preistorici di ambiente umido, Serie 2, vol. 1., 2020 (solo cap. I: "Il bacino infra-morenico del Lavagnone: quadro degli studi e di aggiornamento sulle ricerche in corso").
de Marinis R.C., Il museo civico archeologico Giovanni Rambotti: una introduzione alla preistoria del lago di Garda, Desenzano del Garda, 2000. (Solo capitoli V, VI, VII).
de Marinis R.C., Salzani L., "Le necropoli del Bronzo medio e recente nella Lombardia orientale e nel Veneto occidentale", in Bernabò Brea M., Cardarelli A. e Cremaschi M. (a c. di), Le Terramare. La più antica civiltà padana, Milano, 1997, pp. 705-719.
de Marinis R.C., Valzolgher E., "Riti funerari dell'antica età del Bronzo in area padana", in de Marinis R.C., a c. di, L'età del Rame. La pianura padana e l'arco alpino al tempo di Ötzi, Roccafranca, 2013, pp. 545-559.
Part 3 - Weapons: technology, warfare and fighting, social, ideological and cultural implications.
de Marinis R.C., Le armi e la guerra nell'età del Bronzo, in AAVV, Genti in arme. Aristocrazie della Basilicata antica, catalogo della mostra di Roma, Roma 2001, pp. 19-25.
de Marinis R.C., Salzani L., "Tipologia e cronologia dei materiali", in Salzani L. (a c. di), La necropoli dell'età del Bronzo all'Olmo di Nogara, Memorie del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Verona, 2005, pp. 391-448 (con particolare attenzione al paragrafo: L'armamento ).
de Marinis R.C., Il ripostiglio della Cascina Ranza (comune di Milano), NotArchBerg 26, 2018, pp. 27-113.
David-Elbiali M., "Sous l'agle du genre: analyse de nécropoles de l'âge du Bronze (15e-13e siècle av. J.-C.) d'Italie du Nord et comparaisons avec le nord des Alpes", Rivista di Scienze Preistoriche, LX, 2010, p. 203-256.
Moedlinger M., Uckelmann M., Mattiews S., eds., Bronze Age Warfare, BAR IS 2255, 2011: Introduction, (p. 1 ss); Ceremonial or deadly serious? New insight into the function of Irish Early Bronze Age halberds, (p. 39 ss.); Ritual object or powerful weapon - The usage of Central Europe Bronze Age swords (p. 153 ss); The function of Bronze Age shields (p. 187 ss).
Per i non frequentanti a scelta: un testo tra i seguenti di R. Bradley, The Passage of Arms: Archaeological Analysis of Prehistoric Hoards and Votive Deposits, Oxford 1998; A Geography of Offerings: Deposits of Valuables in the Landscapes of Ancient, Oxbow Insights in Archaeology, 3, 2016 Europe ISBN: 9781785704772; Ritual and Domestic Life in Prehistoric Europe, Routledge, 2005 ISBN: 9780415345514.
de Marinis R.C., Archeologia e arte antica in Enciclopedia europea, 12, Milano 1984, pp. 559-568.
de Marinis R.C., Cultura archeologica, facies archeologica, gruppo culturale e civiltà nella letteratura pre- e protostorica italiana, in Danckers J., Cavazzuti C., Cattani M. (eds.), Facies e culture nell'età del Bronzo italiana? Atti del Convegno di Roma, Institut Historique Belge de Rome, 3-4.12.2015, ARTES 11, pp. 27-39.
Part 2 - Life (and death) in the Bronze Age: settlements and funerary contexts for the reconstruction of economy, crafts and exchanges. Ideology and cults.
Rapi M., 2013, "Dall'età del Rame all'età del Bronzo. I primi villaggi palafitticoli e la cultura di Polada", in de Marinis R.C. (ed.), L'età del Rame. La pianura padana e le Alpi al tempo di Ötzi, Roccafranca (Brescia), 525-544.
Marzatico F., Tecchiati U., L'età del Bronzo in Trentino e Alto Adige/Sùdtirol, Atti XXXIII Riunione Scientifica IIPP Trento 1997, Firenze, 2005 p. 45-92.
de Marinis R.C., "L'età del Bronzo nella regione benacense e nella pianura padana a nord del Po", in Bernabò Brea M., Cardarelli A. e Cremaschi M. (a c. di), Le Terramare. La più antica civiltà padana, Milano, 1997, pp. 405-419.
Bernabò Brea M., "Le terramare nell'età del Bronzo", in Bernabò Brea M., Cremaschi M. (a c. di), Acqua e civiltà nelle terramare. La vasca votiva di Noceto, Milano, 2009, pp. 5-16.
de Marinis R.C., "La protostoria del territorio di Varese" (pp. 11 ss.), "L'età del Bronzo nelle palafitte del lago di Varese" (pp. 124-139), "La palafitta del Sabbione di Monate" (pp. 661-668) in R.C. de Marinis, M. Pizzo e S. Massa (a c. di), Alle origini di Varese e del suo territorio, Roma, 2009.
Rapi M., Il complesso del Lavagnone 3. Scavi dell'Università degli Studi di Milano (1989-2006) in Palafitte - Collana di studi sui siti preistorici di ambiente umido, Serie 2, vol. 1., 2020 (solo cap. I: "Il bacino infra-morenico del Lavagnone: quadro degli studi e di aggiornamento sulle ricerche in corso").
de Marinis R.C., Il museo civico archeologico Giovanni Rambotti: una introduzione alla preistoria del lago di Garda, Desenzano del Garda, 2000. (Solo capitoli V, VI, VII).
de Marinis R.C., Salzani L., "Le necropoli del Bronzo medio e recente nella Lombardia orientale e nel Veneto occidentale", in Bernabò Brea M., Cardarelli A. e Cremaschi M. (a c. di), Le Terramare. La più antica civiltà padana, Milano, 1997, pp. 705-719.
de Marinis R.C., Valzolgher E., "Riti funerari dell'antica età del Bronzo in area padana", in de Marinis R.C., a c. di, L'età del Rame. La pianura padana e l'arco alpino al tempo di Ötzi, Roccafranca, 2013, pp. 545-559.
Part 3 - Weapons: technology, warfare and fighting, social, ideological and cultural implications.
de Marinis R.C., Le armi e la guerra nell'età del Bronzo, in AAVV, Genti in arme. Aristocrazie della Basilicata antica, catalogo della mostra di Roma, Roma 2001, pp. 19-25.
de Marinis R.C., Salzani L., "Tipologia e cronologia dei materiali", in Salzani L. (a c. di), La necropoli dell'età del Bronzo all'Olmo di Nogara, Memorie del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Verona, 2005, pp. 391-448 (con particolare attenzione al paragrafo: L'armamento ).
de Marinis R.C., Il ripostiglio della Cascina Ranza (comune di Milano), NotArchBerg 26, 2018, pp. 27-113.
David-Elbiali M., "Sous l'agle du genre: analyse de nécropoles de l'âge du Bronze (15e-13e siècle av. J.-C.) d'Italie du Nord et comparaisons avec le nord des Alpes", Rivista di Scienze Preistoriche, LX, 2010, p. 203-256.
Moedlinger M., Uckelmann M., Mattiews S., eds., Bronze Age Warfare, BAR IS 2255, 2011: Introduction, (p. 1 ss); Ceremonial or deadly serious? New insight into the function of Irish Early Bronze Age halberds, (p. 39 ss.); Ritual object or powerful weapon - The usage of Central Europe Bronze Age swords (p. 153 ss); The function of Bronze Age shields (p. 187 ss).
Per i non frequentanti a scelta: un testo tra i seguenti di R. Bradley, The Passage of Arms: Archaeological Analysis of Prehistoric Hoards and Votive Deposits, Oxford 1998; A Geography of Offerings: Deposits of Valuables in the Landscapes of Ancient, Oxbow Insights in Archaeology, 3, 2016 Europe ISBN: 9781785704772; Ritual and Domestic Life in Prehistoric Europe, Routledge, 2005 ISBN: 9780415345514.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is oral and consists of questions on the topics in order to ascertain the knowledges acquired; the recognition of the findings and contexts images' analysed during the course is also required.
L-ANT/01 - PREHISTORY AND EARLY HISTORY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Rapi Marta Roberta Matelda
Professor(s)