Before civilizations arose – faces of prehistoric archaeology.

general courses

Classroom

The aim of the lecture is to introduce students with selected aspects of prehistoric archeology, dealing with the oldest human history. The subject of the lecture deals with an important cultural, economic, social and spiritual phenomena in the hunter-gather and farming communities in the Old World, preceded the civilizations of the Mediterranean. Students will also introduce with the basic terminology and archaeological methodology

The lecture has a popular science character and is addressed to a wide audience interested in archeology. The aim of the lecture is to introduce students with selected aspects of prehistoric archeology, which deals with the oldest human history. First, students will introduce with the basic terminology and archaeological methodology. Then, the subject of the lecture deals with an important cultural, economic, social and spiritual phenomena in the hunter-gather and farming communities in the Old World, preceded the great civilizations of the Mediterranean.

Sample topics included:

- Archeology as a science - archaeologist's workplace, types of archaeological sources, methods of dating and analysis.

- Before Homo Sapiens appeared.

- Economic and settlement models of hunter-gather and farming communities.

- Beginnings of agriculture - progress or necessity?

- The beginnings of architecture.

P. Bahn, Archeologia – bardzo krótkie wprowadzenie, Warszawa 1997

P. Bieliński, Starożytny Bliski Wschód. Od początków gospodarki wytwórczej do wprowadzenia pisma, Warszawa 1985

J. A. Gierowski, S. Grodziski, J. Wyrozumski (ed.), Wielka historia świata, t. 1-2, Kraków 2004-2005

J. K. Kozłowski, S. K. Kozłowski, Człowiek i środowisko w pradziejach, Warszawa 1981

D. Ławecka, Wstęp do archeologii, Warszawa 2000

C. Renfrew, P. Bahn, Archeologia. Teoria, metody, praktyka, Warszawa 2002

M. Tobolczyk, Narodziny architektury, Warszawa 2000

A. Wierciński, Magia i religia, Warszawa 1997

In the field of knowledge student:

- has a basic knowledge of the place and importance of prehistoric archeology in the historical sciences;

- has a general knowledge about prahistoric societes, taking into account the basic terminology and theories of research;

- has a basic knowledge about connections of prehistoric archaeology with the other sciences

- understand the links between prehistoric archeology and other sciences

- understand the connection between the achievements of the chosen science and the possibilities of their use in archeology

- has a basic knowledge of human development in the prehistory and its adaptation strategies depending on environmental conditions;

In the field of skills student:

- is able to detect simple relations between artifacts and ancient cultural and social processes;

In the fiield of social competences student:

- is aware of the importance of prehistoric cultural heritage in the process leading to the formation of various civilizations;

- is aware of the unique value of archaeological sources in reconstruction of the human past;