Prehistoric Ecology
A.Y. 2024/2025
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.
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 can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Part A (20 hours, 3 cfu): Principles, methods and aims of research in prehistoric ecology.
Part B (20 hours, 3 cfu): Principles, methods and practices of archaeozoology, with hands-on laboratory exercises (study of faunal remains from archaeological excavations).
Part B (20 hours, 3 cfu): Principles, methods and practices of archaeozoology, with hands-on laboratory exercises (study of faunal remains from archaeological excavations).
Prerequisites for admission
Prehistory; European Protohistory; Methodology of archaeological research, Didactic Lab on Zooarchaeology (strongly recommended). Curiosity, willingness to work in groups and actively contribute to the individual and collective learning process.
Teaching methods
The course, which will be essentially practical in nature, will be conducted by alternating lectures with group work, including laboratory work. The lectures will feature 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. 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.
3. 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.
4. Di Pasquale G. 2011, Che cos'è l'archeobotanica, Carocci.
5. Maggi R. 2016, I monti sono vecchi - Archeologia del paesaggio dal Turchino alla Magra, De Ferrari Ed.
6. 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)
(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295912767_Environmental_Archaeology_A_guide_to_the_theory_and_practice_of_methods_from_sampling_and_recovery_to_post-excavation).
7. CLARKE G. 1992, L'economia della Preistoria, Biblioteca di Cultura Moderna Laterza, Bari.
Part B
1. De Grossi Mazzorin J. 2008, Archeozoologia. Lo studio dei resti animali in archeologia, Laterza.
2. Giovas M. C., LeFebvre, M. J. (a cura di), 2018, Zooarchaeology in Practice. Case Studies in Methodology and Interpretation in Archaeofaunal Analysis, Springer.
3. Grayson D. K., 1984, Quantitative Zooarchaeology: Topics in the Analysis of Archaeological Faunas, Studies in Archaeological Sciences.
4. Lyman R. L. 2008, Vertebrate Taphonomy, Cambridge Manuals in Archaeology, Cambridge.
5. Russel N., 2012, Social Zooarchaeology, Cambridge University Press.
6. Schmid E., 1972, Atlas of Animal Bones: For Prehistorians, Archaeologists and Quaternary Geologists. Knochenatlas. Für Prähistoriker, Archäologen und Quartärgeologen, Elsevier.
7. Von Den Driesch A., 1976, A Guide to the Measurement of Animal Bones from Archaeological Sites, Peabody Museum Bulletins.
5. Notes from the lectures, handouts, slides and in-depth articles provided by the Lecturer.
Those who wish to take the exam for nine credits (9 cfu) can arrange the supplementary program with the lecturer.
Non-attending students have to agree on an alternative study path and preparation for the exam with the lecturer.
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)
Part A
1.ANGELUCCI D. E. 2021, Elementi di geoarcheologia. Minerali, sedimenti, suoli Carocci.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Di Pasquale G. 2011, Che cos'è l'archeobotanica, Carocci.
5. Maggi R. 2016, I monti sono vecchi - Archeologia del paesaggio dal Turchino alla Magra, De Ferrari Ed.
6. 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)
(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295912767_Environmental_Archaeology_A_guide_to_the_theory_and_practice_of_methods_from_sampling_and_recovery_to_post-excavation).
7. CLARKE G. 1992, L'economia della Preistoria, Biblioteca di Cultura Moderna Laterza, Bari.
Part B
1. De Grossi Mazzorin J. 2008, Archeozoologia. Lo studio dei resti animali in archeologia, Laterza.
2. Giovas M. C., LeFebvre, M. J. (a cura di), 2018, Zooarchaeology in Practice. Case Studies in Methodology and Interpretation in Archaeofaunal Analysis, Springer.
3. Grayson D. K., 1984, Quantitative Zooarchaeology: Topics in the Analysis of Archaeological Faunas, Studies in Archaeological Sciences.
4. Lyman R. L. 2008, Vertebrate Taphonomy, Cambridge Manuals in Archaeology, Cambridge.
5. Russel N., 2012, Social Zooarchaeology, Cambridge University Press.
6. Schmid E., 1972, Atlas of Animal Bones: For Prehistorians, Archaeologists and Quaternary Geologists. Knochenatlas. Für Prähistoriker, Archäologen und Quartärgeologen, Elsevier.
7. Von Den Driesch A., 1976, A Guide to the Measurement of Animal Bones from Archaeological Sites, Peabody Museum Bulletins.
5. Notes from the lectures, handouts, slides and in-depth articles provided by the Lecturer.
Those who wish to take the exam for nine credits (9 cfu) can arrange the supplementary program with the lecturer.
Non-attending students have to agree on an alternative study path and preparation for the exam with the lecturer.
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.
- 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)
Professor(s)