INTRODUCTION IN PREHISTORY

The course examines the main stages in the development of human civilization in the prehistoric period. It is addressed the question of the origin of the human species and the main characteristics and developments of the hunter-gatherer societies during the Paleolithic period are presented. The course addresses also the successive stages of evolution of human civilization, from the early farming societies of the Neolithic to the appearance of complex societies and early states in the Near East and the Eastern Mediterranean. In the Aegean, emphasis will be placed on the Early Bronze Age cultures of the 3rd millennium BC. as well as in the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations of the 2nd millennium BC.

The course aims to familiarize students with the basic developments in the emergence of human civilization from the prehistoric hunter gatherer societies to the first complex civilizations of the Near East, Egypt and the Aegean.  Upon successful completion of the course, the students will comprehend: i) the basic characteristics in the evolution of  human species ii) the characteristics of the hunter-gatherer societies of the Paleolithic period, the farming societies of the Neolithic and the complex societies of the Bronze Age, and (iii) the main developments in mainland Greece and the Aegean during these periods.

Week #1: Introduction in Archaeology and its methods.

Week #2: The paleolithic period. The development of the human species. Main developments and phases of Paleolithic period in Greece.

Week #3: The Mesolithic period. The greek mesolithic.

Week #4: Neolithic period and the beginnings of agriculture. Neolithic civilization in Greece.

Week #5: The development of complex societies and early states. Near East and Egypt in the 4^th and 3^rd millennium B.C.

Week #6: Early urban societies in the Early Bronze Age Aegean. Mainland Greece, Northern Aegean, Early Cycladic civilization , prepalatial Crete.

Week #7: The Middle Bronze Age in mainland Greece.

Week #8: The first palaces of Crete.

Week #9: The new palatial period in Crete.

Week #10: The Minoan influence in the Aegean. Akrotiri at Thera.

Week #11: The beginnings of Mycenaean civilization and the grave circle period at Mycenae.

Week #12: The period of the Mycenaean palaces.

Week #13: The end of the Bronze Age in the Aegean.

ΑΙΚ. ΠΑΠΑΕΥΘΥΜΙΟΥ-ΠΑΠΑΝΘΙΜΟΥ, Εισαγωγή στους Πολιτισμούς της Προϊστορίας, 2007. Ιστορία του Ελληνικού Έθνους. Τομ Α. Προϊστορία και Πρωτοϊστορία, Εκδ. Αθηνών 1970. T. CULLEN (ED), Aegean Prehistory: A Review, 2001. DICKINSON, Ο., Αιγαίο Εποχή του Χαλκού, 2003.  FITTON, J.L., The discovery of the greek Bronze Αge, 1995. ΤΟΥΛΟΥΜΗΣ, Κ., Πριν από την Ιστορία: Μια εισαγωγή στην Προϊστορική Αρχαιολογία, 1999. TREUIL, R., P. DARQUE, J.CL. POURSAT, G. TOUCHAIS, Οι Πολιτισμοί του Αιγαίου, 1996. R. Barber, Οι Κυκλάδες στην Εποχή του Χαλκού, 1994. C. BROODBANK, Οι πρώιμες Κυκλάδες: μια ανάλυση στο πλαίσιο της νησιωτικής αρχαιολογίας, 2009. ΜΑΝΤΖΟΥΡΑΝΗ, Ε., Προϊστορική Κρήτη. Τοπογραφία και Αρχιτεκτονική, 2002. J.L. FITTON, Minoans, 2002. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΟΥ ΝΤ., Ο μυκηναϊκός κόσμος, 1995.

The course is based on lectures by the supervisor with appropriate use of educational material, interaction and close collaboration with the students. Presentation by the students of a written essay on a monument/archaeological site/work of art of their choice, which enables students to follow their interests and use the bibliography of the course.  The use of the e-class platform introduces to the students additional educational material (documentaries, electronic publications, lectures accessible on the internet). Organization of a visit to an archaeological site or museum in the duration of the course.

Final written examination and essay writing during the semester.