Prehistoric Ecology

A.Y. 2023/2024
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
L-ANT/01
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide the basic skills necessary to acquire the methodology of research in prehistoric ecology, and its use in a complex diachronic framework of multi and interdisciplinary type with particular reference to the Prehistory and Protohistory of northern Italy. The research will provide indications on recovery and sampling in excavation of all the archaeological evidence useful for the reconstruction of the man-environment relationship and, specifically, of the exploitation dynamics of natural resources and soil between the 6th and 1st millennium B.C. in the Po Valley and Alpine Italy. Particular attention will be given to the bioarchaeological evidence (archeobotany and archeozoology) and to the study and critical edition of bioarchaeological materials in their archaeological context.
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.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Part A (20 hrs, 3 cfu): Principles, methods and aims of research in Prehistoric Ecology.
Part B (20 hrs, 3 cfu): The European and Mediterranean Bronze Age with particular reference to continental Italy. Chronological, cultural and socio-economic framework;
Part C (20 hrs, 3 cfu): Economy, environment, land use and resources in the European Bronze Age with particular reference to Northern Italy.
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.
Teaching Resources
The teaching materials presented in the lectures (slides) and handouts will be available on the Prehistoric Ecology page of the Ariel platform (https://utecchiatiep.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx), once the lessons related to the teaching units in question have been completed.

Part A
1. ANGELUCCI D. E. 2021, Elementi di geoarcheologia. Minerali, sedimenti, suoli Carocci
2. DE GROSSI MAZZORIN J. 2008, Archeozoologia. Lo studio dei resti animali in archeologia, Laterza.
3. Di Pasquale G. 2011, Che cos'è l'archeobotanica, Carocci.
4. MCCLATCHIE M., OCARROLL E. (with contributions by Eileen Reilly) 2015, TII Palaeo-environmental Sampling Guidelines. Retrieval, analysis and reporting of plant macro-remains, wood, charcoal, insects and pollen from archaeological excavations.
(https://www.tiipublications.ie/downloads/SRM/18-TII_palaeo-environmental-sampling_guidelines_Dec-2015.pdf)
5. CAMPBELL, G., MOFFETT, L., STRAKER, V. 2011, Environmental Archaeology. A guide to the theory and practice of methods, from sampling and recovery to post-excavation, English Heritage, Centre for Archaeology Guidelines.
(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295912767_Environmental_Archaeology_A_guide_to_the_theory_and_practice_of_methods_from_sampling_and_recovery_to_post-excavation).
6. CLARKE G. 1992, L'economia della Preistoria, Biblioteca di Cultura Moderna Laterza, Bari.
7. BEHRINGER W. 2010, Storia culturale del clima. Dall'era glaciale al riscaldamento globale, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino.

Part B

1. Harding A., Fokkens H., 2013 (Eds.) - The Oxford Handbook of the European Bronze Age, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
2. Cline E. H., 2020, 1177 a.C. Il collasso della civiltà, Bollati Boringhieri.
3. Peroni R. 1996, L'Italia alle soglie della Storia, Bari Laterza.
4. Bietti Sestieri A. M., 2018 - L'Italia nell'età del bronzo e del ferro. Dalle palafitte a Romolo (2200-700 a. C.). Con aggiornamento online, Carocci.
5. Broodbank C. 2018, Il Mediterraneo. Dalla preistoria alla nascita del mondo classico. Piccola Biblioteca Einaudi Ns.
6. Cazzella A., Recchia G. 2021, Alle origini delle disuguaglianze. Dall'affermazione dell'economia produttiva alle prime forme di stratificazione in Italia e nelle isole adiacenti (6000-1000 a.C.)
7. AAVV 1997, Le terramare. La più antica civiltà padana, Catalogo della Mostra, Ed. Panini.

Part C

1. Debandi F. I. 2021, Sistemi di gestione economica e alimentazione nelle comunità dell'età del Bronzo con particolare riferimento all'Italia settentrionale, Bononia University Press.
2.Bernabò Brea M. e Cremaschi M. 2009, Acqua e civiltà nelle Terramare. La vasca votiva di Noceto, a cura di Maria Bernabò Brea e Mauro Cremaschi, Università degli Studi di Milano/Skira (2009).
3. Maggi R. 2016, I monti sono vecchi - Archeologia del paesaggio dal Turchino alla Magra, De Ferrari Ed.
4. 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, 3, Istitut Ladin Micurà de Rü.
5. Notes from the lectures, handouts, slides and in-depth articles provided by Professor.

Non-attending students have to agree on an alternative study path and preparation for the exam with the Professor.
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://utecchiatiep.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam, in particular, will be aimed at:
- ascertain the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and comprehension;
- verify the student's autonomy of judgment also through the analysis of the cases discussed during the course or mentioned in the textbooks;
- ascertain the mastery of the specific language of the discipline and the ability to present the arguments in a clear and orderly manner.
The oral test provides the verification of the knowledge of the texts reported in the bibliography according to the specific indications provided by the Professor, the handouts and other teaching aids made available to the students.
L-ANT/01 - PREHISTORY AND EARLY HISTORY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor: Tecchiati Umberto
Educational website(s)