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Greek Archaeology

Code: 106886
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Archaeology OP 3
Archaeology OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Pau De Soto CaƱamares
Email :
paude.soto@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

None

Objectives

The objectives of the fourth year are to provide the student with a basic training in archeology, history and other social disciplines, and to become familiar with historical-archaeological subjects that will be developed in later years. The subject has as contents the exposition of the basic features of the historical-archaeological research applied to the geographical context of the territories of population and Greek culture, both in the original Greek area (mainland Greece, Aegean islands and Anatolian western coast) as in the areas of colonial settlement (Black Sea, Italic Magna Graecia, southern France and Empordà coast). This subject also aims to show the evolution of the population and the political and social changes that took place in the Aegean to Hellenism. The contributions of instrumental methodologies and analytical techniques to the historiographical debates that the discipline has addressed will be considered. The main discoveries and points that have aroused the most controversy in the research of the different periods and territories considered will be studied. The contents include the contributions from the different areas of origin of the information and the empirical evidence (basically the archaeological record) from which the hypotheses are elaborated.

Learning outcomes

  • CM22 (Encourage professional development individually or in teams in classical archaeology through practical learning activities.) Encourage professional development individually or in teams in classical archaeology through practical learning activities.
  • KM32 (Recognise the theoretical and methodological debates of classical archaeology and ancient history to promote a critical and reflective capacity.) Recognise the theoretical and methodological debates of classical archaeology and ancient history to promote a critical and reflective capacity.
  • KM33 (Analyse classical archaeological data to critically relate it to the theoretical framework of reference.) Analyse classical archaeological data to critically relate it to the theoretical framework of reference.
  • KM34 (Promote the study and contextualisation of classical archaeological materials to identify social patterns and specific ancient cultures or situations of acculturation or change.) Promote the study and contextualisation of classical archaeological materials to identify social patterns and specific ancient cultures or situations of acculturation or change.
  • SM33 (Develop critical thinking to analyse and assess the processes of generating archaeological information from the classical world and offer one's own views.) Develop critical thinking to analyse and assess the processes of generating archaeological information from the classical world and offer one's own views.
  • SM34 (Briefly expose the historical processes of antiquity from its complexity and its archaeological expressions.) Briefly expose the historical processes of antiquity from its complexity and its archaeological expressions.
  • SM35 (Develop skills in written and oral expression to present research results in classical archaeology both at an academic and general interest level.) Develop skills in written and oral expression to present research results in classical archaeology both at an academic and general interest level.

Contents

PROGRAM


1.- Introduction.


Geographical framework. History of research. Current state of archaeology of ancient Greece.


2.- Archaeology of the first settlers (Paleolithic-Neolithic)


3.- Bronze Archaeology


The Cycladic islands


The Minoan culture


Mycenaean culture


4.- Archaeology of the Dark Ages (12th-8th centuries)


Submycenaean and Protogeometric Period (12th-10th centuries)


Geometric Period (9th-8th centuries)


5.- Archaeology of the historical Greek world


Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic


6.- Greek archaeology after Alexander the Great


7.- Roman Greece

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Study of written sources proposed in the classroom 40 1.6 CM22, KM32, KM33, KM34, SM33
Supervision of individual research project 5 0.2 CM22, SM34, SM35
Individual research project 40 1.6 CM22, KM32, KM33, KM34, SM33, SM34, SM35
Oral presentation 5 0.2 KM33, KM34, SM33, SM34, SM35
Theoric and practical classes in the classroom 40 1.6 CM22, KM32, KM33, KM34, SM33, SM34

1) Analyze the current lines of research and thought in Greek protohistoric archeology, from its origins to the present time.


2) Provide students with an overview of the subjects and fields that are part of what is now called Archeology of the Greek World.


3) Reflect on the link between the Archaeology of the Greek world and other disciplines (ancient history, anthropology, archaeometry ...).

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Theory test A 35% 2 0.08 KM32, KM33, KM34, SM33, SM34, SM35
Task 25% 15.5 0.62 CM22, KM32, KM33, KM34, SM33, SM34, SM35
Geographical test 5% 0.5 0.02 KM34
Theory test B 35% 2 0.08 KM32, KM33, KM34, SM33, SM34, SM35


1.- Theoretical test A where will enter the contents of the master classes and of the readings proposed. (35%).

2.- Theoretical test A where will enter the contents of the master classes and of the readings proposed. (35%).

3.- Geography Test (5%)

4.- Analysis and discussion exercise of various scientific articles. (25%).

Single evaluation

This subject contemplates the single assessment option. It will be evaluated based on:

1.- Theoretical test in which the contents of the lectures and the proposed readings will be included. (70 %).

2.- Geography test (5%)

3.- Analysis and discussion work developed in class on various scientific articles. (25%).

*The form, structure and composition of the work will be explained and defined in class. Without the presentation of all the components of the research work within the agreed time limits, the subject cannot be approved.

Students will obtain a Not assessed/Not submitted course grade unless they have submitted more than 30% of the assessment items.

Erasmus and exchange students who request to advance an exam must present a document from their home university justifying their request.

The same assessment method as continuous assement will be used.

This subject entirely prohibits the use of AI technologies in all of its activities. Any submitted work that contains content generated using AI will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade will be awarded a zero, without the possibility of reassessment. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.

In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.


Bibliography

BINTLIFF, J.: “The Origins and Nature of the Greek City-State and its Significance for World Settlement History”, en P. Ruby [dir.], Les princes de la Protohistoire et l’émergence de l’État, Nápoles, 43-56. 1999

BINTLIFF, J.: The Complete Archaeology of Greece. From Hunter-Gatherers to the 20th Century AD, Willey-Blackwell 2012.

BIERS, W.R., The Archaeology of Greece, Nova York, 1987

BORBEIN, A.H.; T. HÖLSCHER i P. ZANKER (eds.), Klassische Archäologie. Eine Einführung, Berlín, 2000.

COHEN, G.M.: The Hellenistic Settlements in Europe, the Islands, and Asia Minor, Berkeley, 1995

COULTON, J.J., Greek Architects at Work, Oxford, 1977

DINSMOOR, W.B., The architecture of Ancient Greece, Londres, 1950

DI VITA, A., “Town planning in the Greek colonies of Sicily from the time of their foundations to the Punic Wars”, en GCNP, 343-363.

ÉTIENNE, R.; MÜLLER, C.; PROST, F. Archéologie Historique de la Grèce Antique, Ellipses, 2006.

GINOUVÉS, R.; MARTIN, R., Dictionnaire Méthodique de l’architecture grecque et romaine. Matériaux, techniques de construction, techniques et formes de décor, Ecole française de Rome et Ecole française d’Athènes, Roma 1985.

GRECO. E., TORELLI, M., Storiadell'urban¡stica. II mondo greco, Roma, 1983

N.B.L. HAMMOND i H.H. SCULLARD, Oxford Classical Dictionnary, Londres 1974. 

HÖLSCHER, T., L’Archeologia Classica. Un’introduzione, L’Erma de Bretschneider, Roma 2010.

KURZ, D., BOARDMAN/J., Greek Burial Customs, Londres, 1977

MARCONI, C., The Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Art, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2014. 

MARTÍN, R., L'urbanisme dans la Gréce antique. París, 1956

MEE, C. Greek Archaeology. A thematic Approach, Willer-Blackwell, 2011

MORRIS, I.: “An Archaeology of Equalities? The Greek City-States”, ACS, 91-105, 1997

OSBORNE, R.: Greece in the Making, 1200-479 B.C., Nueva York, 1996

OWENS, E.J. The city In the Greek and Roman Worid, Londres, 1991

POLIGNAC, F. De: La naissance de la cité grecque, París, 1984

RILL, T.E., WILSON, A.G.: “Modelling settlement structures in Ancient Greece: new approaches to the polis”, CCAW, 59-95, 1991

SAKELLARIOU, M.B.: The polis-state. Definition and origin, Atenas, 1989

THOMAS, C.G., CONANT, C.: Citadel to City-State: The Transformation of Greece, 1200-700 B.C.E., Indiana University, Bloomington, 1999

WARD-PERKINS, JB.: Cities of Ancient Greece and Italy. Planning in Classical Antiquity, Londres, 1974

Software

No special or specific is requested.

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 second semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan second semester morning-mixed