04-AO-GVA

Course identification: 04-AO-GVA
Class hours per week: 1 per semester
ECTS points: 5
Duration: 2 semesters
Course offering: winter and summer semester
Level: BA, first or second year

The module gives an overview of the cultural history of Western Asia from the Epipalaeolithic period to the Islamic conquest based on archaeological sources.

Lecture: Introduction to Ancient Near Eastern Art, Architecture and Archaeology (Palaeolithic–Early Bronze Age) (winter semester)

Content:
The lecture gives an overview of ancient Near Eastern cultural history from the Palaeolithic to the end of the Early Bronze Age. The different types of historic monuments and especially the different ceramic styles will be presented in their geographic environment and specific context of discovery as well as diachronically traced. The most important finds and results of important ancient Near Eastern sites will be covered. Furthermore, the lecture introduces to archaeological methods and tools for dating, analysis and systematisation of finds and explains archaeological technical terminology.

Lecture: Introduction to Ancient Near Eastern Art, Architecture and Archaeology (2nd–1st millennium) (summer semester)

Content:
The lecture gives an overview of ancient Near Eastern cultural history from the beginning of the middle bronze age (early second millennium B.C.) to the rise of Islam with an emphasis on the two last pre-Christian millennia. The different types of historic monuments will be presented in their geographic environment and specific context of discovery as well as diachronically traced. The most important finds and results of important and thoroughly excavated ancient Near Eastern cities will be covered. The description of connections between archaeological finds and historical episodes will be especially emphasised.

Learning objectives (entire module):

The student will acquire an overview of the basic lines of ancient Near Eastern cultural history. He/She will be knowledgeable of the predominant types of historic monuments and most important find places and will be able to discuss diachronic developments. He/She will acquire knowledge of archaeological methods and fundamental technical terminology.

Examination (entire module):
Written test (90 minutes)