Introduction to Classical Archaeology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of classical archaeology, with a particular emphasis on the discipline's historical development, its sources, and its research methodologies. Key issues within the discipline will be explored by the examination of case studies and contemporary or ongoing research initiatives. A particular emphasis will be placed on the examination of daily life in the ancient world through the lens of material culture and monuments.
Expected learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, participants will have obtained an understanding of the primary themes and conceptual frameworks underpinning the discipline. Furthermore, participants will be equipped with the capacity to critically synthesize scientific literature and the ability to interpret images of the primary monuments and aspects of material culture.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
(A D)
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Part A: Cities and buildings
Part B: The images of gods and men
Part C: Stories though images. Objects
Part B: The images of gods and men
Part C: Stories though images. Objects
Prerequisites for admission
The course is aimed at students whose family name begins with the letters A - D.
Basic knowledge in Greek and Roman history is highly recommended for following the course and the exam preparation.
Basic knowledge in Greek and Roman history is highly recommended for following the course and the exam preparation.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons with the use of visuals (PowerPoint).
Teaching Resources
T. Hölscher, L'archeologia classica. Un'introduzione, L'Erma di Bretschneider, Roma 2010
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam consists of an oral examination on the required textbooks and on the topics addressed in class, with the recognition and discussion of images aimed at ascertaining the acquired knowledge.
Warning: for exam preparation the scheme of teaching parts must be respected as follows:
6-credit exam: Parts A + B;
9-credit exam: Parts A + B + C.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher in charge of the course.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
Warning: for exam preparation the scheme of teaching parts must be respected as follows:
6-credit exam: Parts A + B;
9-credit exam: Parts A + B + C.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher in charge of the course.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-ANT/07 - CLASSICAL ARCHAEOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-ANT/07 - CLASSICAL ARCHAEOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
(E N)
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Part A (20 hours; 3 credits): Introduction to Archaeology
Part B (20 hours; 3 credits): Daily Life in the Ancient World and the Archaeology of Death and Burials
Part C (20 hours; 3 credits): Economy, Politics and Society in the Ancient World
Part B (20 hours; 3 credits): Daily Life in the Ancient World and the Archaeology of Death and Burials
Part C (20 hours; 3 credits): Economy, Politics and Society in the Ancient World
Prerequisites for admission
The course is aimed at students whose family name begins with the letters E - N.
A basic knowledge in Greek and Roman history is highly recommended for following the course and the exam preparation.
A basic knowledge in Greek and Roman history is highly recommended for following the course and the exam preparation.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons with the use of visuals (PowerPoint or Prezi). Discussion and alternative teaching methods (quiz, flipped classroom) are included.
The slides will be available on the MyAriel course website after the end of the course.
The slides will be available on the MyAriel course website after the end of the course.
Teaching Resources
For attending students the following textbooks are required:
Part A
1) C. RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (o edizioni precedenti) (Zanichelli). Pp. 1-155.
Parts B and C
3) T. HOLSCHER, L'archeologia Classica. Un'introduzione. 2010 (L'Erma di Bretschneider). Pp. 1-306.
For non-attending students the following textbooks are required:
6-credit exam:
1) RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (o edizioni precedenti) (Zanichelli) - entire volume.
2) T. HOLSCHER, L'archeologia Classica. Un'introduzione. 2010 (L'Erma di Bretschneider) - entire volume.
3) DICKMANN, J-A, Pompei. 2007 (La Terza) - entire volume.
9-credit exam:
1) C. RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (or previous 1) RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (o edizioni precedenti) (Zanichelli) - entire volume.
2) T. HOLSCHER, L'archeologia Classica. Un'introduzione. 2010 (L'Erma di Bretschneider) - entire volume.
3) M. BARBANERA, Storia dell'archeologia classica in Italia. Dal 1764 ai giorni nostri. 2022 (Laterza) - entire volume.
4) DICKMANN, J-A, Pompei. 2007 (La Terza) - entire volume.
Part A
1) C. RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (o edizioni precedenti) (Zanichelli). Pp. 1-155.
Parts B and C
3) T. HOLSCHER, L'archeologia Classica. Un'introduzione. 2010 (L'Erma di Bretschneider). Pp. 1-306.
For non-attending students the following textbooks are required:
6-credit exam:
1) RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (o edizioni precedenti) (Zanichelli) - entire volume.
2) T. HOLSCHER, L'archeologia Classica. Un'introduzione. 2010 (L'Erma di Bretschneider) - entire volume.
3) DICKMANN, J-A, Pompei. 2007 (La Terza) - entire volume.
9-credit exam:
1) C. RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (or previous 1) RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (o edizioni precedenti) (Zanichelli) - entire volume.
2) T. HOLSCHER, L'archeologia Classica. Un'introduzione. 2010 (L'Erma di Bretschneider) - entire volume.
3) M. BARBANERA, Storia dell'archeologia classica in Italia. Dal 1764 ai giorni nostri. 2022 (Laterza) - entire volume.
4) DICKMANN, J-A, Pompei. 2007 (La Terza) - entire volume.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is oral and consists of an interview about the texts indicated in the programme and the topics covered in class. This will involve recognising and discussing images to ascertain the knowledge acquired.
When preparing for the exam, it is important to follow the order of the modules, as set out below:
6-credit exam: Parts A and B;
9-credit exam: Parts A, B and C.
International and incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the professor in charge of the course.
Students with disabilities and/or DSA must agree on the method of taking their exams with their professor, in consultation with the relevant office.
When preparing for the exam, it is important to follow the order of the modules, as set out below:
6-credit exam: Parts A and B;
9-credit exam: Parts A, B and C.
International and incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the professor in charge of the course.
Students with disabilities and/or DSA must agree on the method of taking their exams with their professor, in consultation with the relevant office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-ANT/07 - CLASSICAL ARCHAEOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-ANT/07 - CLASSICAL ARCHAEOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
(O Z)
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Part A (20 hours; 3 credits): Introduction to Archaeology
Part B (20 hours; 3 credits): Daily Life in the Ancient World and the Archaeology of Death and Burials
Part C (20 hours; 3 credits): Economy, Politics and Society in the Ancient World
Part B (20 hours; 3 credits): Daily Life in the Ancient World and the Archaeology of Death and Burials
Part C (20 hours; 3 credits): Economy, Politics and Society in the Ancient World
Prerequisites for admission
The course is aimed at students whose family name begins with the letters O - Z.
Basic knowledge in Greek and Roman history is highly recommended for following the course and the exam preparation.
Basic knowledge in Greek and Roman history is highly recommended for following the course and the exam preparation.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons with the use of visuals (PowerPoint or Prezi). Discussion and alternative teaching methods (quiz, flipped classroom) are included.
The slides will be available on the Ariel course website after the end of the course.
The slides will be available on the Ariel course website after the end of the course.
Teaching Resources
For attending students the following textbooks are required:
Part A
1) C. RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (o edizioni precedenti) (Zanichelli). Pp. 1-155.
Parts B and C
2) T. HOLSCHER, L'archeologia Classica. Un'introduzione. 2010 (L'Erma di Bretschneider). Pp. 1-306.
For non-attending students the following additional textbooks are required:
6-credit exam:
1) RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (o edizioni precedenti) (Zanichelli) - entire volume.
2) T. HOLSCHER, L'archeologia Classica. Un'introduzione. 2010 (L'Erma di Bretschneider) - entire volume.
3) DICKMANN, J-A, Pompei. 2007 (La Terza) - entire volume.
9-credit exam:
1) C. RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (or previous 1) RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (o edizioni precedenti) (Zanichelli) - entire volume.
2) T. HOLSCHER, L'archeologia Classica. Un'introduzione. 2010 (L'Erma di Bretschneider) - entire volume.
3) M. BARBANERA, Storia dell'archeologia classica in Italia. Dal 1764 ai giorni nostri. 2022 (Laterza) - entire volume.
4) DICKMANN, J-A, Pompei. 2007 (La Terza) - entire volume.
Part A
1) C. RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (o edizioni precedenti) (Zanichelli). Pp. 1-155.
Parts B and C
2) T. HOLSCHER, L'archeologia Classica. Un'introduzione. 2010 (L'Erma di Bretschneider). Pp. 1-306.
For non-attending students the following additional textbooks are required:
6-credit exam:
1) RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (o edizioni precedenti) (Zanichelli) - entire volume.
2) T. HOLSCHER, L'archeologia Classica. Un'introduzione. 2010 (L'Erma di Bretschneider) - entire volume.
3) DICKMANN, J-A, Pompei. 2007 (La Terza) - entire volume.
9-credit exam:
1) C. RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (or previous 1) RENFREW, P. BAHN, E. DeMARRAIS L'essenziale di archeologia. Teorie - Metodi - Pratiche. 2024 (o edizioni precedenti) (Zanichelli) - entire volume.
2) T. HOLSCHER, L'archeologia Classica. Un'introduzione. 2010 (L'Erma di Bretschneider) - entire volume.
3) M. BARBANERA, Storia dell'archeologia classica in Italia. Dal 1764 ai giorni nostri. 2022 (Laterza) - entire volume.
4) DICKMANN, J-A, Pompei. 2007 (La Terza) - entire volume.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is oral and consists of an interview about the texts indicated in the programme and the topics covered in class. This will involve recognising and discussing images to ascertain the knowledge acquired.
When preparing for the exam, it is important to follow the order of the modules, as set out below:
6-credit exam: Parts A and B;
9-credit exam: Parts A, B and C.
International and incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the professor in charge of the course.
Students with disabilities and/or DSA must agree the exam method with the professor in consultation with the relevant office.
When preparing for the exam, it is important to follow the order of the modules, as set out below:
6-credit exam: Parts A and B;
9-credit exam: Parts A, B and C.
International and incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the professor in charge of the course.
Students with disabilities and/or DSA must agree the exam method with the professor in consultation with the relevant office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-ANT/07 - CLASSICAL ARCHAEOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-ANT/07 - CLASSICAL ARCHAEOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday, 2.00-5.00 PM
Sezione di Archeologia - via Festa del Perdono 7, Cortile della Legnaia
Reception:
wednesday 14.00-17.00, in presence by appointment to be agreed via email
Sezione di Archeologia - via Festa del Perdono 7, Cortile della Legnaia, 2 floor
Reception:
Thursday, 3.30-5.30 PM
Sezione di Archeologia - via Festa del Perdono 7, Cortile della Legnaia