Learning objectives
Study of the evolution of man and the cultural phases of human history.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
<br />Unit A: <br />
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Methodologies of prehistoric research. <br />
? Brief introduction to the history of the subject. <br />
? Methods and techniques used by anthropologists to study the past within an interdisciplinary context. <br />
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Cultural sequences in prehistory and protohistory. <br />
? Hominisation and physical and mental evolution of humanity. <br />
? Paleolithic. Man in the pre-Holocene era. <br />
? Mesolithic. The last hunter-gatherers. <br />
? Neolithic. The ?Neolithic transition?. The first communities of agricultural and livestock farmers. <br />
? Metal Age. From the Copper Age to the Iron Age. <br />
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Unit B <br />
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Social, economic and cultural evolution in prehistory and protohistory. <br />
? The natural environment. Settlement systems. Nomadism of groups of hunter-gatherers in the Paleolithic age. <br />
? The first communities of agricultural and livestock farmers and Neolithic sedentarization. <br />
? Subsistence and exchange activity. Extraction, transformation and circulation of raw materials and manufactured goods. Organisation of work. <br />
? Sedentary societies in the Metal Age. Processes of social differentiation, economic and artisan structures. <br />
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Aspects of the ideological world of ancient human communities. <br />
? Spiritual manifestations Cult of bones, funereal practices; rites; use of colorants; collection of unusual objects; frequenting of religious sites or ?sanctuaries?. <br />
? Artistic manifestations Wall art and furniture art. Origins of artistic expression: discovery, evolution and meaning. Natural and abstract art. Signs and symbols. Depiction of movement. Themes: hands; animals; imaginary animals and fantasy beings; depiction of man. Ornaments. Statue-columns.
Full programme
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Bibliography
R.G. Klein - Il cammino dell'uomo. Antropologia culturale e biologica. Zanichelli. Bologna,1995 <br />
<br />
A. Broglio, J.K. Kozlowski - Il Paleolitico. Uomo, ambiente e culture. Jaca Book. Milano, 1992
Teaching methods
Classroom lessons. <br />
Seminars on specific topics by experts in the field and field trips to prehistoric sites are planned; <br />
Given the nature of the subject, lecture attendance is recommended. <br />
For those students who are unable to attend lectures, alternative solutions will be mutually agreed upon.
Assessment methods and criteria
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Other information
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