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Ecology and geoarchaeology/stratigraphy in the Near East

Vak
2009-2010

This course deals with two ecology-related aspects of archaeology, archaeobotanical reasearch and geoarchaeological research (with a focus on stratigraphy of settlement sites: Tell research). In both aspects an introduction is given, with some specific study topics being worked out, and some practical assignments to be done.

Ingangseisen

Preferably Propedeuse Archaeology; some digging experience.

Leerdoelen

  • Has basic knowledge and understanding of the value of ecological aspects in Near Eastern archaeology, more specifically archaeobotany and geoarchaeology;

  • Is able to make a chronological analyses of a tell-stratigraphy in the form of a Harris matrix;

  • Has knowledge of the theory of aims and execution of tell-excavations, especially stratigraphic documentation and chronological analysis;

  • Has a basic theoretical ability to work accordingly in the field, and to critically assess a field report concerning contextual and stratigraphy-based chonological conclusions.

Onderwijsvorm

Lectures, instructions, practices and assignments, including syllabus and ppt’s/blackboard.

Toetsing

The archaeobotany-part has a written exam; the geoarchaeological part uses the final quality of the three assignments, including a report-assessment.

Literatuur

Geoarchaeology:
parts from Edward C. Harris, Principles of Archaeological stratigraphy, London: Academic Press 1979, and Arlene Miller Rosen, Cities of clay: the geoarchaeology of Tells, Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press 1986