Aims

Even divided into two separate courses covering distinct periods, the imparted timetable to the study of the archaeology of the Middle East is insufficient to cover a topic as vast and a period as long as the programme of a specialized course requires. The chosen solution, the solution of " special questions " - according to an old tradition in the department- allows us to get to the bottom of the issues of a limited region and period, extended by making comparisons. From one year to another, the subjects are chosen regarding to their distance in time and space, in order to stock the fundamental knowledge of the students during two following academic years : from Asia Minor till Iran, from the Middle East coast till Mesopotamia or Syria.

Main themes

Special questions of archaeology of ancient Asia Anterior (or the " Middle East "), from Anatolia till historical Iran passing by the coast areas of the Middle East, Syria and Mesopotamia, but excluding Palestine, that will be the subject of a specific course. Some time ago an agreement between lectors reserved the course ORI 2130 to the Mesopotamian archaeology (archaeology and history of the Middle East, cancelled).
The course proceeds with the treatment of two annual topics, respectively 30 hrs and 15 hrs, chosen regarding to their historical or methodological implications or to illustrate the archaeological reality; they are often centred on one site or a category of documents, and associated in order to cover different areas from one year to another (the complete " cycle " of topics covers 5 or 6 years).
ARKE 2160 (30 hrs) is mainly interested in the most ancient period (end 3rd mill-half 1st mill. Before J.C.), the period of the civilizations called " from the cuneiform " (as for instance the sites of Tell Mardokh, Alaca Höyük, Byblos, Karkemish, Midas Shehri...); ARKE 2160 A treats the sites and monuments from the period of the conquests of Alexandra till the Sassanide expansion included, allowing an important place to the civilizations born on the brink of Hellenism and the Roman Empire (Nabatean Kingdom, Hatra, Doura-Europos...).

Content and teaching methods

Special questions to archaeology of ancient Asia Anterior, from Anatolia till Iran excluding Palestine.
The first part of 30 hrs of course is dedicated to the cuneiform civilizations ; the second part to the Hellenic period and in particular the culture centres that developed in the East on the brink of the classical world.
Each of the two parts treats a proper subject, which varies from one university year to another since the interest centre is being moved geographically. Students should choose to attend 15, 30 or 45 hours from the program, regarding to their scientific interests and the requirements of their course program.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

ARKE 1300 : for ORI-students.
Oral examination that may be split up (2160, 2160 A) and in which the two parts will be assessed separately on 20 points, giving access to two separate notes.
Some thirty copied documents will be handed out to illustrate every course. Beside the publications presented in the department's library, the students are invited to use the slides library, that contents de majority of colour slides used during the term. The " travel tour of the master's ARKE students " takes place every year during the courses and brings the students of the second cycle, who participate in the preparations with some of the professors, to sites which are the topic of a course (among which different topics issued from the course ARKE 2160, but also from other courses of the series called " orientation ") during the same university year.

Programmes in which this activity is taught

Other credits in programs