Prehistory of Catalonia
Code: 106879Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Archaeology | OP | 3 |
| Archaeology | OP | 4 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Anna Maria Bach Gómez
- Email :
- anna.bach.gomez@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites, but knowledge of the geography of Catalonia is highly recommended.
Objectives
Study and review of the evidence for prehistoric settlement in the present-day territory of Catalonia and surrounding regions, in order to understand the cultural and socioeconomic evolution from the first human settlements to the formation of Iberian societies. Emphasis is placed on the current state of research, including theoretical contributions, the latest discoveries, and updated historical interpretations within the dynamic framework of ongoing archaeological investigation.
The entire territory is reviewed, highlighting the most relevant scenarios in prehistoric archaeology across the broad geographical regions of northeastern Iberia. The course draws directly from active research projects focused on key issues in human development (social dynamics of hunter-gatherer societies, emergence of agro-pastoral communities, formation of early states).
Current topics in historical-archaeological debate and the public dissemination of Catalonia’s archaeological record will also be addressed. The course aims to introduce students to the main questions currently shaping prehistoric archaeology in Catalonia and to the most significant discoveries defining contemporary scholarly debates.
Learning outcomes
- CM18 (Identify social, economic and environmental impact in the past and present of the different processes of change that occurred in prehistory based on a critical evaluation of the archaeological evidence from different periods and geographical areas.) Identify social, economic and environmental impact in the past and present of the different processes of change that occurred in prehistory based on a critical evaluation of the archaeological evidence from different periods and geographical areas.
- CM19 (Expose the participation of women in the prehistoric societies of Africa, Eurasia and America and the social construction of gender relations and the sexual division of labour.) Expose the participation of women in the prehistoric societies of Africa, Eurasia and America and the social construction of gender relations and the sexual division of labour.
- KM28 (Defend the contributions and implications of the main theoretical proposals of archaeology (traditional, processual, post-processual, feminist, Marxist archaeologies) on the societies of the different periods of the prehistory of Africa, Eurasia and America.) Defend the contributions and implications of the main theoretical proposals of archaeology (traditional, processual, post-processual, feminist, Marxist archaeologies) on the societies of the different periods of the prehistory of Africa, Eurasia and America.
- KM29 (Chronologically arrange the appearance of different architectural types, the main complexes of lithic industry, and the most relevant ceramic, archaeozoological and archaeobotanical assemblages of European prehistory.) Chronologically arrange the appearance of different architectural types, the main complexes of lithic industry, and the most relevant ceramic, archaeozoological and archaeobotanical assemblages of European prehistory.
- KM30 (Characterise the main historical processes of prehistoric societies in relation to paleoenvironmental and social effects, identifying the contributions of recent archaeological research to previous knowledge.) Characterise the main historical processes of prehistoric societies in relation to paleoenvironmental and social effects, identifying the contributions of recent archaeological research to previous knowledge.
- KM31 (Recognise androcentric biases in representations and dissemination of prehistory to develop inclusive analyses that recognise the roles of women and sexual division.) Recognise androcentric biases in representations and dissemination of prehistory to develop inclusive analyses that recognise the roles of women and sexual division.
- SM30 (Critically analyse prehistoric societies to identify inference processes, the biases of the different theoretical models and the potential and limitations of existing records.) Critically analyse prehistoric societies to identify inference processes, the biases of the different theoretical models and the potential and limitations of existing records.
- SM31 (Synthesise the contribution of different factors to the processes of social change and environmental impact in the different periods of prehistory, especially European.) Synthesise the contribution of different factors to the processes of social change and environmental impact in the different periods of prehistory, especially European.
- SM32 (Produce hypotheses about periods of the prehistory of Africa, Eurasia and America from the recognition, critical interpretation and synthesis of records from archaeological projects.) Produce hypotheses about periods of the prehistory of Africa, Eurasia and America from the recognition, critical interpretation and synthesis of records from archaeological projects.
Contents
Block 1. Introduction and general concepts.
- History of research: from early scholars to the Barcelona School and the dynamic developments of the 1970s.
- Administrative structure of prehistoric archaeological practice in Catalonia.
- Overview of the current state of prehistoric archaeological research in Catalonia.
- Main methodological trends.
Block 2. Study of the first archaic hunter-gatherers.
- Lower Paleolithic hunter-gatherer societies.
- Middle Paleolithic hunter-gatherer societies.
- Epipaleolithic hunter-gatherer societies.
- Rock art expressions in Catalonia.
Block 3. Transition to food-producing societies and early farming communities.
- Transition: hunter-gatherers versus early agricultural societies.
- First farming villages: the Early Neolithic.
- The golden age of Catalan Neolithic: the Middle Neolithic.
- Consolidation of new economic forms.
- Funerary practices of the first farming communities.
- The megalithic phenomenon in Catalonia.
Block 4. Consolidation and transformation of peasant societies.
- Early metallurgy and Late Neolithic-Chalcolithic societies.
- Developments during the first half of the 2nd millennium: Chalcolithic – Early Bronze Age.
- The dark age of Catalan prehistory: the Middle Bronze Age.
- Innovation and/or continuity in the mid-2nd millennium.
- Burial practices in the early 2nd millennium: southern Catalonia.
Block 5. Complex societies of the 1st millennium.
- Transformations from the end of the 2nd millennium to the early 1st millennium: the Late Bronze Age.
- New funerary practices: cremation.
- Late Bronze Age: innovation and economic dynamism.
- Debate on the introduction of iron in Catalonia.
- Societies of the Early Iron Age and Iberization.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advising sesions | 17 | 0.68 | CM18, CM19, KM28, SM30, SM31, SM32 |
| Theoretical classes conducted by the teaching staff. | 50 | 2 | CM18, CM19, KM28, KM29, KM30, KM31, SM30, SM31, SM32 |
| Seminar sessions and practical exercises led by the teaching staff | 6 | 0.24 | CM18, KM28, KM30, KM31, SM30 |
METHODOLOGY
GUIDED ACTIVITY 35%
Lectures delivered by the instructor. 25%. Methodology: lectures with ICT support and large group discussions.
Seminars and practical sessions led by the instructor. 10%.
SUPERVISED ACTIVITY 10%
Tutorials. 8%. Methodology: scheduled sessions to resolve doubts and discuss specific course content, problems and seminars.
Completion of guided learning exercises. 2%.
AUTONOMOUS ACTIVITY 50%
Personal study. 30%. Methodology: integration of acquired knowledge through outlines, concept maps, and summaries.
Reading texts. Writing papers. Preparing oral presentations and seminars. Conducting bibliographic research. 20%.
NOTE:
Fifteen minutes of one class session, as scheduled by the program, will be reserved for students to complete teaching and course evaluation surveys.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case study: Analysis of the Catalan archaeological record | 40% | 9 | 0.36 | CM18, CM19, KM31, SM30, SM31 |
| Analysis of archaeological remains from Catalonia's past | 20% | 12 | 0.48 | KM28, KM29, KM30, SM30, SM31, SM32 |
| Analysis of the historical process on a temporal scale | 40% | 56 | 2.24 | KM29, KM30, KM31, SM30 |
Assessment System for the Acquisition of Competencies and Grading Criteria
Directed learning activities account for 50% of the coursework. These will be assessed through written examinations and will represent 40% of the final grade.
Supervised activities account for 40% of the coursework (including field trips, attendance at conferences, and tutorials) and will contribute 20% to the final grade.
They will also be assessed through classroom presentations and text discussions, which will account for 20% of the final grade.
Independent learning activities account for the remaining 10% of the coursework. These will be assessed through the submission of written assignments, which will contribute 20% to the final grade.
If a student commits any irregularity that may lead to a significant alteration of the assessment of an evaluation activity, that activity will be graded as 0 (zero), regardless of any disciplinary proceedings that may be initiated. If multiple irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the student's final grade for the course will be 0.
Assessment Schedule
At the beginning of the academic year, students will be informed of the specific content of each assessment module and the corresponding deadlines for completion and submission.
At the time each assessment activity is carried out or submitted, the teaching staff will provide information (via Moodle or SIA) regarding the grading review procedure and schedule.
Requirements to Pass the Course
- Regular attendance and participation in class sessions.
- Completion and submission of all assessment modules within the established deadlines.
- Achieving an overall average grade of at least 5.0 out of 10, provided that a minimum grade of 3.5 out of 10 has been obtained in each individual assessment module.
Students who submit less than 30% of the assessment activities will receive the final grade of "Not Assessable" (NA).
Exchange students requesting to take an examination earlier than scheduled must provide the lecturer with an official written document from their home university justifying the request.
Resit Assessment
Students may take the resit assessment provided they meet the following requirements:
-They have completed the assessment activities within the established deadlines
-They have obtained an overall average score of no more than 3.5 on a 10 point scale across the assessment modules.
Resit Examination Schedule
The dates of the resit examinations are established by the Faculty. These dates are published on the Faculty's website in July of the preceding academic year. It is the student's responsibility to know the date assigned for the resit examination.
The final continuous assessment activity will be scheduled at least one week before the resit examination.
If examinations cannot be held on campus, their format will be adapted (while maintaining the same weighting) to the online tools provided by the UAB. Assignments, activities, and class participation will be carried out through forums, wikis, and/or exercise discussions using Moodle, Teams, or similar platforms. The teaching staff will ensure that students have access to these resources or will provide alternative means whenever necessary.
Single Assessment
The single assessment consists of:
- A written examination (60%).
- A thematic written assignment (40%).
The written examination will take place on the dates established by the Faculty and will assess the entire course syllabus.
The guidelines and content of the written assignment will be established at the beginning of the course and will be available on the course Moodle site in the UAB Virtual Campus. The submission deadline will coincide with the date of the written examination.
NOTE ON ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
If a student commits any irregularity that may significantly affect the assessment of an evaluation activity, that activity will be graded as 0 (zero), regardless of any disciplinary proceedings that may be initiated. If more than one irregularity occurs in the assessment activities of the same course, the student's final grade for the course will be 0.
NOTE ON THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted in this course as part of the development of coursework, provided that the final submission reflects a substantial personal contribution by the student in terms of analysis and critical reflection.
Students must:
- Clearly identify which parts of the work have been generated using AI.
- Specify the AI tools used.
- Include a critical reflection on how these tools influenced both the process and the final outcome of the assignment.
Failure to disclose the use of AI in an assessed activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity and will result in the activity being graded as 0 (zero), with no possibility of resubmission or resit, and may lead to more severe disciplinary sanctions in serious cases.
Bibliography
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW:
BOSCH-GIMPERA P.(1919): Prehistòria Catalana. Enciclopedia Catalana, Vol. XVI. Barcelona 300 p.
BOSCH-GIMPERA P.(1932): Etnologia de la Península Iberica. Edt. Alpha,. Barcelona,p.711.
MALUQUER DE MOTES J.(1987): Historia de Catalunya, I: Prehistoria i Edat Antiga fins al segle III. Edt. 62, Barcelona.
SERRA - RÀFOLS, J. de C., (1930): El poblament prehistòric de Catalunya. Barcelona, 1930.
TARRADELL,M.(1963): Història dels Catalans I, Prehistòria i Antiguitat . Barcelona, 1963.
TARRADELL, M.(1962): Les arrels de Catalunya. Ed. Vicens-Vives. Barcelona, 1962.
AA.VV(1978): Història de Catalunya,
Vol I. [Coordinada per l'Institut d'Arqueologia i Prehistòria Universitat de Barcelona].Edt. Salvat. Barcelona
AA.VV(1982): Les excavacions arqueològiques a Catalunya en els darrers anys. Barcelona 1982.
AA.VV(1982): L'Arqueologia a Catalunya, avui. Generalitat de Catalunya Barcelona 1982.
MOLIST M. (1999). "Les primeres societats pageses (Neolític i Bronze Antic). in E. Giralt y J. M. Salrach,"Història agrària dels Països Catalans", Fundació Catalana per la Recerca.
AA.VV (1996): Els temps prehistòrics i antics. Fins al segle V. in Història. Política, Societat i Cultura dels Països Catalans. Vol.I. Enciclopèdia Catalana. Barcelona 1996.
CRUELLS, W, MOLIST, M. & PONS, E. (Coord) (2003). "Miguel Tarradell, 40 anys de les Arrels de Catalunya". Cota Zero. Revista d'Arqueologia i Ciència, 18. Eumo Editorial (desembre, 2003).
GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY:
CANAL, J., CARBONELL, E. (1989). Catalunya Paleolítica. Patronat Francesc Eiximenis.
RODRIGUEZ, X.P.; VAQUERO, M.; SALA, R.; GARCIA, J.; MAROTO; J.; ORTEGA, D.; LOZANO, M. (2003/4): “El paleolític inferior i mitjà a Catalunya”, a Fonaments 10/11, 23-66.
BOSCH, J. SANTACANA, J. (2009): Blat, metalls i cabdills Catalunya del neolític a la iberització. Rafael Dalmau editor.
MANGADO, X.;et al. (2011): “Nuevos territorios, nuevos grafismos: una visión del Paleolítico superior en Cataluña a inicios del siglo XXI” a Jornadas Internacionales sobre el Paleolítico superior peninsular. Novedades del siglo XXI. Barcelona
ROVIRA, M.C., LÓPEZ-CACHERO, F. J.; MAZIERE, F. (eds.) (2012): Les necròpolis d’incineració entre l’Ebre i el Tíber (segles IX-VI a.C.), Monografies del Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya-Barcelona 14, Barcelona.
GÓMEZ BACH, A., MOLIST, M. (ed.) (2016): La prehistòria al pla de Barcelona. Documents per a una nova síntesi, MUHBA Documents 11, Ajuntament de Barcelona.https://www.barcelona.cat/museuhistoria/sites/default/files/prehistoriaplabcn.pdf
BACH, A.; FÀBREGAS, L. MOLIST, M. coord. (2023). La cultura de Merlès revisada. La transició entre els períodes del Bronze Final i la Primera Edat del Ferro a la Catalunya Central i àrees veïnes. Museu de Solsona. https://museusolsona.cat/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/La-cultura-de-Merles.pdf
PARDO, S., GÓMEZ BACH, A., MOLIST, M., BERNABEU, J. Eds. (2020): Contextualizando la cerámica impressa: Horizontes culturales en la península Ibérica. Ed. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
GIBAJA, JF. CLOP, X. (2012): “El Neolítico en Cataluña”, a El Neolítico en la Península Ibérica y su contexto europeo. Ed. Cátedra, Madrid
GIBAJA, JF.; MOZOTA, M.; SUBIRÀ, M. E; MARTÍN, A. i MASCLANS, A. (coords.) 2022. Mirando a la Muerte: las prácticas funerarias durante el Neolítico en el nordeste peninsular. Volumen 4, Colección Akademos, e-DitARX Publicaciones digitales, Castellón.
AAVV (2022): Les primeres societats neolítiques de Catalunya, 5600-4500 aC. Estat de la qüestió i nous reptes de recerca. Cypsela, 22,
TARRÚS, J., CARRERAS, E., (2022). El megalitisme a Catalunya. Una visió actualitzada. Colección Akademos, n.5, e-DitARX Publicaciones digitales, Castellón.
BACH, A.; FÀBREGAS, L. MOLIST, M. (coord.) (2023). La cultura de Merlès revisada. La transició entre els períodes del Bronze Final i la Primera Edat del Ferro a la Catalunya Central i àrees veïnes. Museu de Solsona
BACH, A, COLOMÉS, F., HERNÀNDEZ, G., MOLIST, M.. (2025). Hàbitat a l’aire lliure al neolític antic i mitjà a Catalunya: Nous elements per a una síntesis. Actes de la jornada de Canovelles, 25 de març de 2023. Barcelona territori. Converses Patrimonials. Generalitat de Catalunya. https://drac.cultura.gencat.cat/handle/20.500.12368/36562?show=full
LEGISLATION AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Pla de l'Arqueologia i la Paleontologia de Catalunya (PAPCAT 2030)
https://cultura.gencat.cat/ca/departament/plans-i-programes/ambit-sectorial/pla-recerca-arqueologia-i-paleontologia-catalanes/index.html
REVISTES D'ARQUEOLOGIA PREHISTÒRICA CATALUNYA.
Anuari de l'Institut d'Estudis Catalans (anys 1915-1925)
EMPURIES (Museu Arqueològic de Catalunya)(Des de anys 1940)
CYPSELA (Museu Arqueologia de Catalunya) (Des de 1975)
PYRENAE (Universitat de Barcelona) des de 1973 a 1980, segona etapa des de 1993. FONAMENTS (Eds.Curial, Barcelona) (Des de anys 1979)
TRIBUNA D'ARQUEOLOGIA (Servei Arqueologia, Generalitat de Catalunya)(Des de 1981)
COTA ZERO (Edt. EUMO Vic) ( 1985-2010)
REVISTA D'ARQUEOLOGIA DE PONENT (Universitat de Lleida) des de 1991
RUBRICATUM (Museu de Gavà) des de 1994
QUADERNS d'ARQUEOLOGIA I HISTÒRIA DE LA CIUTAT DE BARCELONA. (Museu d'Història de Barcelona) Des de 2004.
Altres revistes d'àmbit local o general que tenen articles d'arqueologia prehistòrica:
ARRAHONA (Vallès), AUSA (Osona), ILERDA (Lleida), OLERDULAE (Vilafranca del Penedès); GALA (St. Feliu de Codines),
ESTRAT (C.E.C.I. Igualada);
ACTA ARQUEOLÒGICA DE TARRAGONA (Reial Societat Arqueològica Tarraconense).
REVISTES D'ARQUEOLOGIA PREHISTORICA A NIVELL D' ESTAT.
- TRABAJOS DE PREHISTORIA (CSIC- IEH Madrid)
COMPLUTUM (Universidad Complutense de Madrid)
SAGUNTUM QUADERNS DE PREGISTORIA I ARQUEOLOGIA DE CASTELLO (Diputació de Castelló de la Plana)
COL.LOQUIS, SEMINARIS
TRIBUNA D'ARQUEOLOGIA Servei d'Arqueologia. Barcelona. Edició per cursos. Novetats de la recerca a nivell de projectes d'excavacions a Catalunya.
Jornades d'Arqueologia de les Comarques de Girona, Girona, Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya i Universitat de Girona (convocatòria anual. Novetats de recerca de les comarques Gironines).
Jornades d'Arqueologia de la Catalunya Central, Manresa-Vic, Servei d'Arqueologia, Museu de Manresa i Museu de Vic (convocatòria bianual.Novetats de recerca de les comarques de la Catalunya Central).
Jornades d'Arqueologia del Penedès.
Jornades d'Arqueologia de les Terres de l'Ebre.
COL.LOQUI INTERNACIONAL D'ARQUEOLOGIA DE PUIGCERDÀ (DDAA (1992): Estat de la investigació sobre el neolític a Catalunya. IX Col·loqui Internacional d’Arqueologia de Puigcerdà. Puigcerdà-Andorra. DDAA(2002): Pirineus i veïns al III mil·lenni AC. De la fi del neolític a l’edat del bronze entre l’Ebre i la Garona, XII Col·loqui Internacional d’Arqueologia de Puigcerdà, 10-12 de novembre de 2000, Institut d’Estudis Ceretans, Puigcerdà.
EDICIÓ DE CORPUS, INVENTARIS
CORPUS DE SEPULCROS MEGALITICOS. Edició dels anys 60 i 70 de les manifestacions de sepulcres megalítics de les principals comarques catalanes. Editat per l'Institut de Prehistòria i Arqueologia de la Diputació de Barcelona.
CARTES ARQUEOLÒGIQUES (Inventari del Patrimoni Arqueològic de Catalunya) (Servei d'Arqueologia /Departament de Cultura / Generalitat de Catalunya).- Consultable CORPUS DE PINTURES RUPESTRES
VOL. I LA CONCA DEL SEGRE (Generalitat de Catalunya.) VOL. I I L' Àrea Central i Meridional.(Generalitat de Catalunya.)
PÀGINES WEB http://cultura.gencat.cat/invarque/index.asp (Inventari Arqueològic)
http://cultura.gencat.cat/invarque/index.asp (Inventari Arqueològic)
http://blocs.gencat.cat/blocs/AppPHP/tribunadarqueologia/ (Tribuna Arqueologia)
http://calaix.gencat.cat/ (Memòries arqueològiques)
http://www20.gencat.cat/portal/site/Patrimoni/menuitem.6a2dec9a300f68a8cd0181dfb0c0e1a0/?vgnextoid=22175356066b011(rupestres Unesco)
Software
For written assignments, use a standard word processor (Word, OpenOffice Writer or equivalent). For oral presentations, PowerPoint, Canva or similar are recommended.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |