Corso di laurea in Beni Culturali

The course aims at introducing students to the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East  (history of research, discoveries, methodology...) and at providing a more detailed overview over the crucial aspects of the Mesopotamian Civilization from Prehistoric times till the collapse of the akkadian Empire in the 3rd Millennium BCE.

At the end of the course the student will have learned  the main scientific and methodological issues related to the discipline, the notions on the main stages of the history of research, the main lines of development of the artistic culture of Ancient Mesopotamia, with reference - in particular -  to the period between Prehistory and III millennium BCE.

The student will also be able to place in time and space, the main events and monuments  or artistic works of the ancient Near East and to understand the origins of complex historic-artistical, social and economical phenomena that preceded and influenced the development of the later civilizations in the Mediterranean.

The student will also have the opportunity to improve their critical skills of judgment (for example through the comparison between different artistic trends and/or  artworks) and to become familiar with the descriptive analysis and the commentary of an artistic or architectural monument.

Besides the essentially notional and technical data (chonologies, names, etc...) to be learnt,  these capabilities in describing and telling to an audience an object or a monument (its shape but also its visual narrative and figurative apparatus) or in communicating its meaning and significance  shall represent a cultural and professional background of fundamental support for the student's future career.

During the course, the professor will invite the students to a constant collective discussion and participation, also addressing issues of current interest such as the protection of our cultural heritage. This should allow to a monitoring of  the degree of understanding and involvement of the students themselves.

The course will be held with lectures of two hours each. We will follow, basically, a chronological order, alternating the analysis of art objects to that of architectural structures. Some monographic lessons will be dedicated to some of the most sensational discoveries or the most significant historical-artistic aspects of the relevant period. Teaching will be accompanied and supported, with the projection of images and videos/foothages.

During the course, the professor will invite the students to a constant collective discussion and participation, also addressing issues of current interest such as the protection of our cultural heritage. This should allow to a monitoring of  the degree of understanding and involvement of the students themselves.

After the course, the final examination will be based on an oral interview to ascertain the fundamental theoretical knowledge on the subject, as well as the acquisition by the student of a technical language and a personal capacity of analysis and judgment. The student, with the help  of the relevant photographic reproductions, will be asked as well,  to describe specific monuments of art or architecture and to place them chronologically and culturally within a particular historical frame.

Traditional teaching can be accompanied by in-depth seminars, educational excursions, museum visits, participation in excavations (pre-selection).

The Land between the two Rivers: the Archaeology of Mesopotamia from Prehistory to 3rd Millennium BCE.

- Introduction to the  Archaeology of the Near East

- History of research and discoveries

- Elements of Methodology 

- Prehistory in the Ancient Near East and the spread of agriculture and cattling

- The urban civilization and the first cities

- States and Empires in the 3rd millennium BCE: Sumerians and Akkadians

A. Invernizzi, Dal Tigri  all'Eufrate - vol. I. Sumeri e Accadi, Le Lettere, Firenze, 1992 (reprints since 2007).

Inserire qui il testo in inglese