Description
The course topic is the archaeology of hunters and gatherers in Europe. We will discuss the earliest human occupation of Europe, the Neanderthals, and anatomically Modern humans, and the last hunter-gatherers interacting with the first farmers. The course offers key themes such as subsistence strategies, mobility, and technology, discussed on the basis of academic papers on different time periods and regions.
Course objectives
Knowledge of some important Palaeolithic sites in Europe (Pakefield, Maastricht-Belvedere, Chauvet;
Knowledge of the chronostratigraphic framework of the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic (Pleistocene-Holocene, glacial-interglacial, marine-isotope stages, dating and dating methods, stoneworking methods);
Basic knowledge of the academic discussion of Europe’s earliest settlement and the transition from Middle to Early Palaeolithic;
Basic knowledge and understanding of the “optimal foraging theory” and its application to mobility (terms ‘ foragers’ and ‘collectors’);
Ability to critically read and review an academic paper.
Timetable
Course schedule details can be found in the BA2 time schedule.
Mode of instruction
Lectures with discussion.
Course load
The course load will be distributed as follows:
12 hours of lectures;
300 pages of literature;
5 assignments in BlackBoard.
Assessment method
Written exam (30%);
BlackBoard assignments (30%);
Paper (40%).
Written exam en paper do not compensate each other, both need to be passed.
There is no resit for the BlackBoard assignments.
Only resits for failed (partial) exams are possible.
There is only a resit for the paper if the first attempt has been taken seriously.
If a resit is failed, any passes for a (partial) exam will no longer count (i.e. grades cannot be used the next year).
All exam dates (exams, re-sits, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the examination schedule.
Deadlines and exam schedules:
BlackBoard assignments: see BlackBoard;
Written exam: see examination schedule;
Paper: Friday 16 October 2016, 17.00 hrs;
Resit written exam: see examination schedule;
Resit paper (with new subject): Friday 11 December 2016, 17.00 hrs.
Reading list
To be announced on BlackBoard.
Registration
Registration for the course is not necessary, registration for the exam is mandatory. For instructions, see the Registration in uSis page.
Exchange and Study Abroad students: please see the Prospective students website for information on how to apply.
Contact
For more information about this course, please contact dr. A. Verpoorte.