African Archaeology

Year
0
Academic year
2019-2020
Code
01010982
Subject Area
Archaeology
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Elective
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical-practical classes, using specific iconography, textual analysis, preparation and prsentation of written works about limited themes, as well as showing documentary films; also a more extensive final paper in the case of periodic assessment; visits to Pre-historical Archaeology and Anthropology museums. Periodic and final assessment.

Learning Outcomes

This class will give a general overview of African pre-history; the regional disparities on occassion cause this period to come close to our times, and thus, we will broach this theme. Some regions, due to the importance of the research topics and the relationships with other areas of the world, lik East Africa and North Africa - in this case strictly in relation to the Mediterranean - deserve particular attention. Students will gain a deeper and current overview of the Pre-history of the african continent; they will understand the regional disparities that originated in the specific conditions on the african continent, but also from the different research efforts in certain themes and geographic areas; the class will also provide an overview of the dynamic cultural diversities and a reflection of the non-linear evolution of humanity.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction

1.1. Geographic introduction.

1.2. Archaeological research in Africa.

2. Africa and the origins of man

2.1 from Australopithicus to the first homonids of the genus Homo (East Africa/South Africa/Central Africa).

2.2. The african origins of modern man (Homo sapiens sapiens).

2.3. Hunter-gatherer societies (Paleolithic/Epipaleolithic).

3. From the first sedentary people to the first food producers

3.1. Sahara.

3.2. Valley of the Nile.

3.3. Northern Africa.

3.4. Central and western Afica.

3.5. Ethiopia.

3.6. Eastern Africa.

4. The state society in Africa

4.1. Western Africa

4.2. Vally of the Nile, Nubia and the Highlands of Ethiopia.

4.3. Eastern Africa.

4.4. Zimbabwe Plateau.

5. Africa, the Mediterranean and Europe.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria da Conceição Lopes

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 50.0%
Frequency: 50.0%

Bibliography

Bazzana, A.; Bocoum, H., Du Nord au Sud du Sahara. Cinquente ans d’archéologie française en Afrique de l’Ouest et au Maghreb, Paris, Éditions Sépia, 2004.

Blake, E.; Hnapp, A. Bernard (eds.), The Archaeology of Mediterranean Prehistory, Blackwell Publishing, 2005.

Connah, G., African Civilizations. An Archaeological Perspective, 2.ª ed., Cambridge University Press, 2001.

Coppens, Y. (ed.), Origine de l’Homme, Paris, Éditions Artcom’, 1998.

Dani, A. H., et alii (eds.), História da Humanidade. Vol. II. Do Terceiro Milénio ao Século VII a. C., Lisboa, Editorial Verbo, 1997.

de Laet, S., et alii (eds.), História da Humanidade. Vol. I — A Pré-história e o Início da Civilização, Lisboa, Editorial Verbo, 1996.

Dunbar, R., A História do Homem, Lisboa, Quetzal Editores, 2006.

Gallay, A. (ed.), Comment l’Homme. A la Découverte des Premiers Hominidés d’Afrique de l’Est, Paris, Éditions Errance, 1988.

Jelínek, J., Sahara. Histoire de l’art rupestre libyen, Grenoble, Éditions Jérôme Millon, 2004.