Archaeological Sciences

The course offers a broad and preliminary overview of the archaeology and art history of pre-Islamic Iran. The most important archaeological and artistic evidence in Iran from the Iron Age III and the following Achaemenid, Macedonian, Seleucid, Arsacid and Sasanian periods will be illustrated and discussed in a historical-cultural perspective, taking also into account the geographical and ideological features which deeply influenced the socio-economic and cultural development of the investigated area.

No mandatory prerequisites are required. However, a basic knowledge of the history of pre-Islamic Iran is strongly recommended

A detailed bibliography, including specific information for non-attending students, will be provided at the beginning of the course (in the second semester). Furthermore, during the lectures, additional scientific articles, monographs, and other readings useful for a critical in-depth analysis of the topics covered will be recommended. All required materials for the exam (encyclopedia entries, articles, book chapters) that are not freely available online will be made available to students in PDF format. It is also possible to consult the texts in the professor's office by appointment.

Lectures concerning specific issues related to the archaeology of pre-Islamic Iran, supported by multimedia presentations and followed by discussions aimed at developing the students’ methodological rigour and stimulating their critical reflexions. Multimedia presentations designed to summarise the main concepts discussed during each lesson and to display the analysed archaeological and iconographic evidence as well as related maps, plans and graphs will be used as teaching materials.

Classes are taught in person

Oral examination in English language for foreign students is available on request. Oral examination test aimed at assessing the degree of knowledge gained by students in the discipline (including related methodological issues and with particular emphasis on the chrono-geographic setting of the archaeological evidence discussed) and at evaluating additional competences such as the critical capacity to analyse and summarise themes and concepts or the confident and effective use of a specialist language, with appropriate terminology. In order to improve the discussion’s level, students are warmly invited to sit the exam provided with all the graphic and photographic materials put at their disposal by the teacher.

A detailed bibliography, including specific information for non-attending students, will be provided at the beginning of the course (in the second semester). Furthermore, during the lectures, additional scientific articles, monographs, and other readings useful for a critical in-depth analysis of the topics covered will be recommended. All required materials for the exam (encyclopedia entries, articles, book chapters) that are not freely available online will be made available to students in PDF format. It is also possible to consult the texts in the professor's office by appointment.

Lectures concerning specific issues related to the archaeology of pre-Islamic Iran, supported by multimedia presentations and followed by discussions aimed at developing the students’ methodological rigour and stimulating their critical reflexions. Multimedia presentations designed to summarise the main concepts discussed during each lesson and to display the analysed archaeological and iconographic evidence as well as related maps, plans and graphs will be used as teaching materials.

The course offers a broad and preliminary overview of the archaeology and art history of pre-Islamic Iran. The most important archaeological and artistic evidence in Iran from the Iron Age III and the following Achaemenid, Macedonian, Seleucid, Arsacid and Sasanian periods will be illustrated and discussed in a historical-cultural perspective, taking also into account the geographical and ideological features which deeply influenced the socio-economic and cultural development of the investigated area.

No mandatory prerequisites are required. However, a basic knowledge of the history of pre-Islamic Iran is strongly recommended

A detailed bibliography, including specific information for non-attending students, will be provided at the beginning of the course (in the second semester). Furthermore, during the lectures, additional scientific articles, monographs, and other readings useful for a critical in-depth analysis of the topics covered will be recommended. All required materials for the exam (encyclopedia entries, articles, book chapters) that are not freely available online will be made available to students in PDF format. It is also possible to consult the texts in the professor's office by appointment.

Lectures concerning specific issues related to the archaeology of pre-Islamic Iran, supported by multimedia presentations and followed by discussions aimed at developing the students’ methodological rigour and stimulating their critical reflexions. Multimedia presentations designed to summarise the main concepts discussed during each lesson and to display the analysed archaeological and iconographic evidence as well as related maps, plans and graphs will be used as teaching materials.

Classes are taught in person

Oral examination in English language for foreign students is available on request. Oral examination test aimed at assessing the degree of knowledge gained by students in the discipline (including related methodological issues and with particular emphasis on the chrono-geographic setting of the archaeological evidence discussed) and at evaluating additional competences such as the critical capacity to analyse and summarise themes and concepts or the confident and effective use of a specialist language, with appropriate terminology. In order to improve the discussion’s level, students are warmly invited to sit the exam provided with all the graphic and photographic materials put at their disposal by the teacher.

A detailed bibliography, including specific information for non-attending students, will be provided at the beginning of the course (in the second semester). Furthermore, during the lectures, additional scientific articles, monographs, and other readings useful for a critical in-depth analysis of the topics covered will be recommended. All required materials for the exam (encyclopedia entries, articles, book chapters) that are not freely available online will be made available to students in PDF format. It is also possible to consult the texts in the professor's office by appointment.

Lectures concerning specific issues related to the archaeology of pre-Islamic Iran, supported by multimedia presentations and followed by discussions aimed at developing the students’ methodological rigour and stimulating their critical reflexions. Multimedia presentations designed to summarise the main concepts discussed during each lesson and to display the analysed archaeological and iconographic evidence as well as related maps, plans and graphs will be used as teaching materials.

An introduction to Western Central Asia archaeology, from the Bronze Age to the 8th century CE. The course will provide an overview of archaeological evidence and the forms of artistic expression of Western Central Asia from the protohistory to the Arab conquest (8th-9th century). Topics: The Bronze Age: the "Oxus civilization" and Andronovo culture The Iron Age The Achaemenid Period . Hellenism in Bactria: Ai Khanum and further archaeological evidence of the Greek period. Takht-i Sangin: the temple of the Oxus. The necropolis of Tillia Tepe. Towns, monuments and arts of the Kushan period. The Buddhist settlements of the Termez oasis: Fayaz Tepe and Kara Tepe. The "Temple of the Dioscuri" at Dilberjin (Afghanistan). Towns and castles of ancient Chorasmia. The early Middle Ages. The cities of Sogdiana: Samarkand (Afrasiab), Penjikent, Varakhsha and other sites. Sogdian painting: technique, style, iconographic repertoire. The art of Tokharestan in the early Middle Ages.

C. Lo Muzio, Archeologia dell'Asia Centrale preislamica, Mondadori Università 2017, Introduction and chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 (pp. 78-93), 5, 6 (pp. 150-155), 7, 8.

The exam consists of questions concerning the topics covered in the course: the description of an artistic phenomenon, an archaeological site, a specific class of archaeological finds, or any other theme included in the programme. In addition to the knowledge of the specific topic and to the ability to express himself/herself properly, the student must demonstrate to have understood the relationship linking the archaeological evidence with the historical, cultural and/or religious context it belongs to.

The course will take place in one semester and will consist of frontal lessons, with the constant support of photographic material (maps, plans, detailed pictures of monuments and artworks).

An introduction to Western Central Asia archaeology, from the Bronze Age to the 8th century CE. The course will provide an overview of archaeological evidence and the forms of artistic expression of Western Central Asia from the protohistory to the Arab conquest (8th-9th century). Topics: The Bronze Age: the "Oxus civilization" and Andronovo culture The Iron Age The Achaemenid Period . Hellenism in Bactria: Ai Khanum and further archaeological evidence of the Greek period. Takht-i Sangin: the temple of the Oxus. The necropolis of Tillia Tepe. Towns, monuments and arts of the Kushan period. The Buddhist settlements of the Termez oasis: Fayaz Tepe and Kara Tepe. The "Temple of the Dioscuri" at Dilberjin (Afghanistan). Towns and castles of ancient Chorasmia. The early Middle Ages. The cities of Sogdiana: Samarkand (Afrasiab), Penjikent, Varakhsha and other sites. Sogdian painting: technique, style, iconographic repertoire. The art of Tokharestan in the early Middle Ages.

C. Lo Muzio, Archeologia dell'Asia Centrale preislamica, Mondadori Università 2017, Introduction and chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 (pp. 78-93), 5, 6 (pp. 150-155), 7, 8.

The exam consists of questions concerning the topics covered in the course: the description of an artistic phenomenon, an archaeological site, a specific class of archaeological finds, or any other theme included in the programme. In addition to the knowledge of the specific topic and to the ability to express himself/herself properly, the student must demonstrate to have understood the relationship linking the archaeological evidence with the historical, cultural and/or religious context it belongs to.

The course will take place in one semester and will consist of frontal lessons, with the constant support of photographic material (maps, plans, detailed pictures of monuments and artworks).