MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Arts Undergraduate Handbook 1996

Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Caution Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1320-6222

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996


Archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean

Area coordinators: P J Bicknell and C A Hope

Students are offered an integrated range of subjects dealing with past cultures of the Mediterranean area and the source material that survives for their study. Proceeding with a major sequence in the area, students will learn how a site is excavated, how it and its contents are dated, and how the evidence from the ground can be deployed on a broad front towards interpretation.

Archaeology is defined in its broadest sense as the reconstruction of societies in every aspect on the basis of all surviving data. Consequently, material culture, social structure, religious beliefs and cultural philosophy are considered in conjunction. Where present, documentary evidence is stressed.

The cultures examined include those of Egypt from earliest times through to its absorption by Rome, the Hittites, Minoan Crete, Bronze Age and Classical Greece, Assyria, Persia, Etruscan Italy and Rome. Archaeological theory and practice are studied through an analysis of the work of leading archaeologists, excavation reports, and the evolution of dating techniques.

Archaeology and anthropology are an ideal combination, and since archaeology plays a major role in the reconstruction of all but the most recent past, it can be a valuable adjunct to a variety of historical and cultural studies.

First-year, minor and major sequences

A first-year sequence in archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean comprises the compulsory subject ARY1010 (Origins of Western Civilisation 1: The Bronze Age) and either ARY1020 (Origins of Western Civilisation 2: the Mediterranean world from 1000 BCE - 14 CE), or a first-year CHC subject.

+ A minor sequence comprises a first-year sequence followed by second-year level subjects to the value of sixteen points.

+ A major sequence comprises a minor sequence followed by third-year level subjects to the value of sixteen points, plus eight points of work chosen from either second or third-year level subjects.

+ Inclusion of ARY3760 in major sequences is compulsory.

+ Second-year level subjects available for inclusion in minor and major sequences are the following:

+ ARY2570 Minoans and Myceneans

+ ARY2970 The archaeology and history of ancient Egypt: 6000-1550 BCE

+ ARY2990 The archaeology and history of ancient Egypt: 1550-332 BCE

+ CHC2590 Alexandria, Jerusalem and Rome: connections and conflict

+ Third-year level subjects available for inclusion in major sequences are:

+ ARY3550 Coins, the archaeologist and the ancient historian

+ ARY3760 Dating in archaeology

+ ARY3790 Minoan problems

+ ARY3930 Imperial Egypt and the Mediterrean world

+ ARY3950 Greek and Roman Egypt

+ CHC3590 Alexandria, Jerusalem and Rome: connections and conflict

Honours

For details of the fourth-year honours course, see below.

Graduate work

The department may be able to provide or contribute supervision in certain areas. Interested students must consult one of the area coordinators.

First-year level

Coordinators: E A Carvalho and C A Hope

+ ARY1010 Origins of Western Civilisation 1: the Bronze Age (ARY1010 is a compulsory subject.)

+ ARY1020 Origins of Western Civilisation 2: the Mediterranean world from 1000 BCE-14 CE

+ CHC1030 The Age of Athens

+ CHC1040 The Age of Augustus: Rome's golden era

Second-year level

Coordinators: P J Bicknell and C A Hope

A first-year sequence in archaeology is a prerequisite for second-year archaeology subjects

+ ARY2570 Minoans and Myceneans

+ ARY2970 The archaeology and history of ancient Egypt: 6000-1550 BCE

+ ARY2990 The archaeology and history of ancient Egypt: 1550-332 BCE

+ CHC2590 Alexandria, Jerusalem and Rome: connections and conflict

Third-year level

Coordinators: P J Bicknell and C A Hope

A major sequence in archaeology is a prerequisite for third-year archaeology subjects.

+ ARY3550 Coins the archaeologist and the ancient historian

+ ARY3760 Dating in archaeology (ARY3760 is a compulsory component of a major sequence.)

+ ARY3790 Minoan problems

+ ARY3930 Imperial Egypt and the Mediterranean world

+ ARY3950 Greek and Roman Egypt

+ CHC3590 Alexandria, Jerusalem and Rome: connections and conflict

Fourth-year level

Coordinators: P J Bicknell and C A Hope

All fourth-year students are required to complete a dissertation of about 10,000 words (ARY4720) and three other subjects which must include ARY4740 (The methodology of archaeological interpretation).

The attention of prospective honours students is drawn to the facts that much significant modern work in archaeology is in languages other than English, and that full access to the ancient past requires knowledge of the languages of evidential documents and texts. Before or in the honours year, therefore, it is desirable that students consider elementary study of a modern foreign (German and French are natural choices) or ancient language, preferably Middle Egyptian or Ancient Greek. ARY4810 offers an introduction to Middle Egyptian language. A non-credited reading subject in Ancient Greek can be organised for interested fourth-year students.

Compulsory subjects

+ ARY4720 Dissertation

+ ARY4740 The methodology of archaeological interpretation

Other subjects

+ ARY4040 The archaeology of the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt

+ ARY4550 Coins, the archaeologist and the ancient historian

+ ARY4780 Minoan problems

+ ARY4810 An introduction to Middle Egyptian language

+ ARY4930 Imperial Egypt and the Mediterranean world

+ ARY4950 Greek and Roman Egypt


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