Interpretation of prehistoric and early historic processes and phenomena in European regions (applications)

compulsory

ARCHAEOLOGY

2nd cycle

The course is designed to present students examples of methods and models that can be useful in different areas of archaeological interpretation.

Year 1

An issue of identity in archaeological research is a highly complex and multifaceted matter. The course is intended to acquaint students with contemporary methodological reflection on issues concerning identity and their practical applications. These problems need also to be considered having in mind the specificity of archaeological research and sources available to it.

Particular activities within the course will refer to such issues as gender archeology, archeology of childhood, sexuality studies in archaeology, the status of the human body in archaeology as well as issues of ethnicity and social status. These include questions concerning also aspect of prahistoric religion in archaeological discourse, “return to things” and so called archaeologies of the contemporary past.

Specific problems will be discussed using selected examples related to prehistoric and early historic regions of Europe, with the aim to illustrate the theoretical aspects of the various aspects of identity with their practical applications in archaeological interpretations.

Ciesielska, A. 2002. Elementy teorii społecznej w archeologii. Kalisz.

Diaz-Andreu, M. Lucy, S. 2005 (red.) Archaeology of Identity: Approaches to Gender, Age, Status, Ethnicity and Religion, Routledge.

Holtorf C., Piccini A. (red.) Contemporary archaeologies. Excavating now, Verlag.

Insoll T. (red.) 2003. The Archaeology of identity. A reader, London. Routledge.

Mamzer H. 1999. Problem etniczny w archeologii, Slavia Antiqua t. 40, s. 161-200.

Sofaer-Derevenski J. 2000. (red.) Children and material culture. Routledge.

Sorensen M.L.S. 2000. Gender archaeology. Cambridge.

Tabaczyński S., Marciniak A., Cyngot D., Zalewska A. (red.), Przeszłość społeczna. Próba konceptualizacji, Poznań.

During the course the student:

1) gains a basic knowledge of issues relating to issues of identity present in contemporary humanities and in archaeological discourse;

2) understands differences between particular aspects of identity, as well as specificity of their use from the perspective of archaeological research;

3) has the ability to look at specific research arenas from the perspective of different models of interpretation as well as posses the ability to make use of them in interpretation.

a written test with mark