Archaelogy and History of the Ancient Western Asia
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims at giving an in-depth preparation on the ancient Mesopotamian cultures in a diachronic perspective throughout the Bronze Age, from the 4th to the 2nd millennium BCE. Students will be trained to reach a multivariate understanding of the archaeological and textual evidence and methodological approaches to the historical reconstruction.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: achievement of a basic knowledge of the history and archaeology of ancient Mesopotamia during the Bronze Age. General understanding of the cultural interactions and exchange patterns in relation with the various historical contexts, the methodology of analysis and interpretation of the textual and archaeological sources.
Applying knowledge and understanding: achievement of applying knowledge for a critical analysis of the historic and archaeological evidence from ancient Mesopotamia, with a systematic evaluation of the interaction modes and exchange patterns. Applying understanding of the analytical methodology for the reconstruction of the main elements of the ancient Mesopotamian cultures. Applying knowledge of bibliographical research and thematic analysis achieved during the class.
Applying knowledge and understanding: achievement of applying knowledge for a critical analysis of the historic and archaeological evidence from ancient Mesopotamia, with a systematic evaluation of the interaction modes and exchange patterns. Applying understanding of the analytical methodology for the reconstruction of the main elements of the ancient Mesopotamian cultures. Applying knowledge of bibliographical research and thematic analysis achieved during the class.
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
The course program offers a diachronic analysis of the cultures that developed in Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and the Levant during the Bronze Age, from the 4th to the end of the 2nd millennium BCE (Early, Middle, and Late Bronze Age). This will be achieved through the examination of both archaeological and textual data, with a specific in-depth monographic focus.
Topics covered include:
- the definition of socio-economic structures;
- the analysis of technology in relation to various forms of craftsmanship;
- the examination of textual, visual, and material elements related to production organization;
- the characterization of textual, visual, and material expressions of power ideologies, particularly in relation to labor specialization.
The course (40 hours, 6 ECTS) is structured into two parts:
A) From the urban revolution to the emergence of the first supra-regional kingdoms in the Early Bronze Age (ca. 3500-2000 BCE); the development of the first territorial states during the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 2000-1600 BCE); and the internationalism of the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1600-1200 BCE);
B) Trade, administration, and technology in Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and the Levant from the Early to the Late Bronze Age.
Part B will also feature a pilot initiative in integrated and coordinated teaching, conducted in collaboration with Professors Alessandro Cavagna (Ancient Numismatics), Donatella Erdas (Greek Institutions and Epigraphy), Alessandro Pace (Archaeology of Magna Graecia), and Claudia Lambrugo (Classic Ceramography, Production and Iconography) focusing on the theme "Travelling Craftsmen and Ideas."
Topics covered include:
- the definition of socio-economic structures;
- the analysis of technology in relation to various forms of craftsmanship;
- the examination of textual, visual, and material elements related to production organization;
- the characterization of textual, visual, and material expressions of power ideologies, particularly in relation to labor specialization.
The course (40 hours, 6 ECTS) is structured into two parts:
A) From the urban revolution to the emergence of the first supra-regional kingdoms in the Early Bronze Age (ca. 3500-2000 BCE); the development of the first territorial states during the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 2000-1600 BCE); and the internationalism of the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1600-1200 BCE);
B) Trade, administration, and technology in Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and the Levant from the Early to the Late Bronze Age.
Part B will also feature a pilot initiative in integrated and coordinated teaching, conducted in collaboration with Professors Alessandro Cavagna (Ancient Numismatics), Donatella Erdas (Greek Institutions and Epigraphy), Alessandro Pace (Archaeology of Magna Graecia), and Claudia Lambrugo (Classic Ceramography, Production and Iconography) focusing on the theme "Travelling Craftsmen and Ideas."
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission, although a general knowledge of archaeology and history of Antiquity, in particular on ancient Western Asia and the Mediterranean, acquired during the undergraduate degree programme allows a better understanding of the methodology of analysis of the various topics.
Teaching methods
The course includes a series of lectures using PowerPoint presentations, video screenings, multimedia files, and 3D models, as well as the consultation of online materials. Seminars by Italian and international scholars are scheduled to provide in-depth insights into ongoing research on texts, materials, and archaeological sites.
Each lecture concludes with a discussion session with students, aimed at fostering critical debate and assessing the application of the knowledge being acquired.
The course makes use of e-learning materials available on the MyAriel platform (lesson outlines and visual materials, in-depth resources, articles, links to websites, portals, and videos), along with a list of recommended websites and bibliography. Non-attending students will have access to additional materials on the MyAriel platform for further study (open-access articles and bibliography).
Although attendance is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended.
Each lecture concludes with a discussion session with students, aimed at fostering critical debate and assessing the application of the knowledge being acquired.
The course makes use of e-learning materials available on the MyAriel platform (lesson outlines and visual materials, in-depth resources, articles, links to websites, portals, and videos), along with a list of recommended websites and bibliography. Non-attending students will have access to additional materials on the MyAriel platform for further study (open-access articles and bibliography).
Although attendance is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
- class notes
- M. Liverani, Uruk la prima città, Laterza, Roma 2017
- J.N. Postgate, Early Mesopotamia. Society and Economy at the Dawn of History, Routledge, London, 1992
- P. Matthiae, La storia dell'arte dell'Oriente antico. Gli Stati territoriali (2100-1600 a.C.), Electa, Milano 2000, pp. 1-244
- P. Matthiae, La storia dell'arte dell'Oriente antico. I primi imperi e i principati del Ferro (1600-700 a.C.), Electa, Milano 1997, pp. 11-134
- articles and other materials indicated during the lessons
Non-attending students:
In addition to the attending student's programme:
-Further readings to be defined contacting the professors
- class notes
- M. Liverani, Uruk la prima città, Laterza, Roma 2017
- J.N. Postgate, Early Mesopotamia. Society and Economy at the Dawn of History, Routledge, London, 1992
- P. Matthiae, La storia dell'arte dell'Oriente antico. Gli Stati territoriali (2100-1600 a.C.), Electa, Milano 2000, pp. 1-244
- P. Matthiae, La storia dell'arte dell'Oriente antico. I primi imperi e i principati del Ferro (1600-700 a.C.), Electa, Milano 1997, pp. 11-134
- articles and other materials indicated during the lessons
Non-attending students:
In addition to the attending student's programme:
-Further readings to be defined contacting the professors
Assessment methods and Criteria
The assessment consists in an oral examination related to the topics listed in the teaching programme and include identification and description of art works, monuments, and written documents, which should be correctly placed in their spatial and temporal framework. The evaluation (from a minimum of 18 to a maximum of 30/30) considers the following assessment criteria: completeness and clarity in the presentation of the acquired knowledge of the topics, ability in the discursive argumentation and critical capacity, ability to use appropriate language, also in relation to the specific terminology of the discipline.
International and Erasmus incoming students are requested to contact the professor in charge of the course.
The assessment methods for SLD students and students with other disabilities should be agreed with the professor in charge of the course and with the responsible university office.
International and Erasmus incoming students are requested to contact the professor in charge of the course.
The assessment methods for SLD students and students with other disabilities should be agreed with the professor in charge of the course and with the responsible university office.
L-OR/05 - ANCIENT NEAR EAST ARCHAEOLOGY AND ART HISTORY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Peyronel Luca, Vacca Agnese
Professor(s)
Reception:
on wednesday - 9 - 12 a.m. (appointment by writing an email or by chat on microsoft teams
Online-Microsoft Teams; in Person (Dipartimento Studi Letterari, Filologici e LInguistici - Sezione Glottologia e Orientalistica - Cortile d'Onore, piano ammezzato, Room AT 021)
Reception:
Every Wednesday, from 9.00 to 12.00 - meeting arrangment required by e-mail or Micorsoft Teams
Online-Teams / Dipartimento Studi Letterari, Filologici e Linguistici - Sezione Glottologia e Orientalistica - Cortile d'Onore, piano ammezzato, Stanza AT 021