Stone Age archaeology 3101-DB237A

The classes are divided into two parts.
Part I,
implemented in the fall semester, it touches issues related to the Paleolithic and the Mesolithic. It covers topics ranging from the earliest human history and culture till the stage to introduce the productive economy.
Archaeological traces associated with the indicated section of prehistory will be considered in relation to areas of Africa and Eurasia and in the context of climate and environmental conditions.
As part of this curriculum, particular emphasis will be placed on the following topics:
a) the specific sources and research methods in the study of Paleolithic and Mesolithic;
b) the basic terminology and chronology;
c) the basis of the description of sources specific to hunters and gatherers of Paleolithic and Mesolithic;
d) the diversity and cultural changes, and various forms of human adaptation to changing climatic conditions at the time.
e) the functional and symbolic artifacts and their producers.
Part II
implemented in the second semester, concerns of the problem of the younger period of the Stone Age.
It covers issues related to the origins of the productive economy of hunters and gatherers in the area of Eurasia, development of Neolithic communities till the formation of European civilization, the early Bronze Age.
In this framework will be discussed:
- chronology and terminology used in study of Neolithic;
- artifacts and objects specific to selected cultural groups in the subsequent stages of the Neolithic;
- settlements and architecture;
- remnants of rituals;
- Neolithic inventions that have influenced the history of mankind;
- the impact of climate change on economic and cultural transformation from the Neolithic to the early Bronze Age.
- the basis of the description, analysis and interpretation of sources specific to the Neolithic.

Type of course

obligatory courses

Prerequisites (description)

Class are an integral part of the lecture” Stone Age Archaeology”. The credit is the basis for the lecture exam. The aim of the course is to introduce students to the broader issues of research on the Stone Age. They are aimed primarily at students with the source material, characteristic for the respective periods of the Stone Age, the methods of its analysis and interpretation capabilities.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student:
a) knows the guiding forms of artifacts from various raw material, characteristic of the most important cultural units Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic in the area of Eurasia;
b) knows the terminology used in the study of various periods of the Stone Age;
c) is able to use the basic concepts of research;
d) has a strong knowledge of the chronology and periodization of Stone Age;
e) has a basic knowledge of climate change during the Pleistocene and Holocene and their impact on social development during this period;
f) has a basic knowledge of the main directions of development and major new developments in the study of the Stone Age;
g) is able to independently analyze artifacts based on the characteristics of indigenous and allochthonous.
h) is able to interpret cultural phenomena on the basis of artifacts and objects;
i) knows the basic rules for selection and critical evaluation of the information contained in scientific publications concerning the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic;
j) has the ability to prepare written works and oral presentations combined with a multimedia presentation regarding specific issues of the Stone Age archeology (in Polish and English);
k) is aware of a multifaceted interpretation of sources related to the Stone Age;
l) understands the ethical issues related to scientific integrity and honesty in research on the Stone Age;
m) is able to cooperate and work in a team for the tasks related to the study of archaeological sources from the Stone Age, and selected topics in literature;
n) is able to communicate through various channels and communication techniques with specialists in Stone Age archeology.

Assessment criteria

Included in the I and II semester of the fallowing essays, checking knowledge and skills:
- written test, checking the terminology and knowledge of the main forms of artifacts, the most important characteristic of the cultural units Paleolithic and Mesolithic (the first semester) and Neolithic (the second semester);
- the written work on the analysis of the selected artifacts or group of sources, specific to the Stone Age (one in the first semester, on the sources of Paleolithic and Mesolithic, another in the second semester, on the sources of Neolithic);
- written work, related to the presentation of specific issues relating to the Stone Age, with a summary (up to 100 words in English), which must be public presented (in class) (the work is determined individually with the teachers in each semester).
The final grade is the average grade obtained in each semester.

Bibliography

Required literature will be given at the first class each semester.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3101-DB237A in USOSweb