The Archaeology and Material Culture of the Islamic and Crusader Levant: an Introduction 2800-EN-ME0-SPEC-ISL
This course consists of 14 lectures over the duration of 14 weeks. It is open to both BA and MA
students and it has no requirements of former knowledge of the material culture of the Islamic
world. It is an introduction to the methodology and results of research on the theme of the material
culture of Islamic societies, with a geographical focus on the Central Islamic Lands and a
chronological span from the 7th century to the 19th century. The programme includes a section on
the archaeology of the society in the Crusader period.
The lectures are designed to introduce the students to the general themes of the Islamic-period
material culture: after an introduction to the main historical, chronological and geographical
framework, classes will offer an overview of the current results of research on the main themes and
elements of settlement by looking a range of sites. In addition, the main crafts of Islamic societies
will be seen in their development in time, and therefore in their contribution both to understanding
their technical characteristics and to the archaeological study of the past. The emphasis will be on
the importance of the combined use of the several historical disciplines to understanding specific
aspects of society. We will also reflect on the development of the discipline of Islamic Archaeology
in time and on its potential for the future.
Lectures by week
1. Islamic Archaeology: definition and history
2. Elements of history, geography and chronology of the central Islamic lands
3. The central Islamic lands: aspects of physical environment, society and economy
4. Religious beliefs and practices of Islamic societies
5. The archaeology of the Crusader period
6. The mosque
7. Early Islamic settlements
8. The Islamic city
9. Fortifications
10. The countryside
11. Trade, travel and pilgrimage
12. Crafts, materials and objects
13. Ceramics: technology and diffusion
14. Methods and materials of construction and building techniques
Type of course
Mode
Bibliography
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Fehervari, G., Art and Architecture, in Holt, P.M., A. K.S. Lambton and B. Lewis, The Cambridge
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