Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (classes) 2800-ABEAST-A
1. Main regions of the Near East (Mesopotamia, Syro-Palestine, Iran, Anatolia) with their
geography, environment and climatic conditions
2. Materials and industries. Main natural resources and technologies
3. Economy – modes of agriculture, animal husbandry, pastoral nomadism
4. Chronology of the ancient Near East – main problems and periodization
5. Near East - melting pot of languages and peoples
6. Script – beginnings of writing, writing systems, archives
7. Religion and mythology in Mesopotamia (pantheon, iconography of deities, centres of
worship, main myths)
8. Cylinder seals – function, iconography, style
9. Main cities – their history and architecture
10. Architecture – main types of temples and palaces, their characteristic features and fittings
11. Kings and history – representation in art
12. Study of sculpture, painting and minor art (selected issues)
Type of course
elective courses
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Students have knowledge concerning main issues of the archaeology of the Ancient Near
East. They have a skill to identify and define main aspects of Near Eastern architecture, art
and cultures. Familiarity with main terms, geography and chronology.
Assessment criteria
Several criteria are considered: presentation of papers and/or talks, participation in class
discussion
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: