Postgraduate Course: The Archaeology of Cyprus; insularity, identity and internationalism (PGHC11365)
Course Outline
| School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Postgraduate (History, Classics and Archaeology) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | To provide an integrated approach to the archaeology and prehistory of ancient Cyprus in its eastern Mediterranean context.
Cyprus is at the crossroads between the Ancient Near East and Europe. It has been subject to influences from the Levant, Anatolia, Egypt, and Greece. In spite of these impacts, the island¿s cultures remained highly distinctive, like so many other ancient island societies in contact with nearby cultures and civilisations. This course investigates the dynamics of Mediterranean island identity as expressed through the study of material culture recovered by archaeologists in Cyprus. It deals with periods from the first sedentary farmers to the creation of the first cities of Bronze Age Cyprus. During this chronological span Cyprus was, at times, at the centre of developments and changes throughout the region and at other times it was insular and unique. One of the themes in these dedicated studies is the propensity of islanders to select and adapt external influences, often for the construction of elite identities.
In addition to these major educational aims, the emphasis of this course concerns what archaeologists can say about the contexts of archaeological data and sites, and how the integration of these leads to an enriched understanding of preliterate and early literate societies
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to demonstrate by means of written coursework, seminar presentation and class participation:
- Knowledge of the material cultures, regional contexts and chronological frameworks of Cypriot prehistory
- An understanding of archaeological theory, methods and practices relevant to the acquisition and interpretation of archaeological data.
- The ability to source, analyse and interpret archaeological material within the context of their own independent research
- The ability to produce a well-researched piece of written work on an archaeological topic relevant to the course.
- The ability to construct and sustain an archaeological discussion with their peers and tutors.
2. The course aims to:
- Provide a sound chronological framework for an understanding of the archaeology and prehistory of the island.
- Provide an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the material culture and regional context of the main archaeological periods of prehistoric Cyprus from the earliest settlers to the end of the Bronze Age.
- Provide an historical context for the study of Cypriot prehistory and professional context for an understanding of the significance of prehistory for current heritage and social issues.
- Provide an understanding of the theoretical underpinning, limitations and possibilities of archaeological analyses and interpretations.
- Develop each student¿s ability to carry out their own independent research and to present their findings to an audience of their peers.
- Develop a critical awareness for students¿ assessment of archaeological source material and of archaeological arguments. |
Assessment Information
This course will assessed 100% by coursework consisting of:
- Essay (3000 words) 50%
- Seminar presentation 10%
- Seminar report (1500-2000 words) 40%
Students who fail to deliver a seminar presentation without providing evidence of due cause in advance will score 0% for the seminar presentation aspect of the course. Attempts will be made, where possible, to re-schedule any presentations not delivered due to illness etc. provided the course organisers are notified through normal channels of any problems. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Week 1: Introduction (environmental background, chronological overview)
Week 2: First arrivals, island archaeology, palaeofauna
Week 3: The Cypro-PPNA and B and the eastern Mediterranean world
Week 4: Insularity, identity and community during the Neolithic
Week 5: Ceramic studies and figurative art
Week 6: Site formation processes and the built environment
Week 7: Cultural change and technological development in prehistory
Week 8: Funerary archaeology
Week 9: Village and town development during the Bronze Age
Week 10: Secondary state formation, internationalism and trade
Week 11: The emergence of local elites and the first cities |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Aström P. (1972) The Swedish Cyprus Expedition IV. 1c, The Late Cypriote Bronze Age. Architecture and Pottery, Lund: Swedish Cyprus Expedition.
Bolger, D. and Maguire, L. (eds.) (2010) The Development of Pre-State Communities in the Ancient Near East; studies in honour of Edgar Peltenburg, BANEA Publications Series vol.2, Oxford: Oxbow Books.
Clarke, J. (ed.) (2005) Archaeological Perspectives on the Transmission of Culture in the Eastern Mediterranean, Levant Supplementary Series vol. 2, Oxford: Oxbow Books.
Coleman J.E. et al (1996) Alambra: A Middle Bronze Age Settlement in Cyprus, Archaeological Investigations by Cornell University 1974-1985. SIMA 118, Jonsered: P. Aströms Förlag.
Dikaios P. (1953) Khirokitia, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Dikaios P. (1961) Sotira, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania.
Dikaios P. & Stewart J.R. (1962) Swedish Cyprus Expedition IV.1A, The Stone Age and the Bronze Age, Lund: Swedish Cyprus Expedition.
Dikaios P. (1969-71) Enkomi; Excavations 1948-1958. Mainz am Rhein: Verlag Philipp ven Zabern.
du Plat Taylor J. et al (1957) Myrtou-Pigadhes; A Late Bronze Age Sanctuary in Cyprus, Oxford: Ashmolean Museum.
Frankel D. & Webb J.M. (1996) Marki Alonia. An Early and Middle Bronze Age Town in Cyprus, Excavations 1990-1994, SIMA 123, Jonsered: P. Aströms Förlag.
Ionas I. (1988) La Maison Rurale de Chypre (XVIIIe-XXe siècle) Aspects et Techniques de Construction, Publications du Centre de Recherche Scientifique de Chypre XII, Nicosie: CRSC.
Karageorghis V. & Morris C. (eds.) (2001) Defensive Settlements of the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean after 1200 BC, Nicosia: Trinity College Dublin & A.G.Leventis Foundation.
Karageorghis V. & Demas M. (1984) Pyla-Kokkinokremnos. A Late 13th Century BC Fortified Settlement in Cyprus, Nicosia: Department of Antiquities.
Karageorghis V. & Demas M (1985) Excavations at Kition V.1, The Pre-Phoenician Levels, Areas I and II, Nicosia: Department of Antiquities.
Karageorghis V. & Demas M (1988) Excavations at Maa-Palaeokastro 1979-1986, Nicosia: Department of Antiquities.
Knapp A.B. (1997) The Archaeology of Late Bronze Age Cypriot Society; The Study of Settlement, Survey and Landscape, Glasgow: Department of Archaeology, University of Glasgow.
le Brun A. (1981) Un Site Néolithique Précéramique en Chypre: Cap Andreas-Kastros, Recherche sur les grandes civilisations Mémoire N° 5, Paris: Editions A.D.P.F.
le Brun A. (1984) Fouilles Récentes à Khirokitia (Chypre) 1977-1981, Éditions Recherche sur les Civilisations Mémoire n° 41, Paris: A.D.P.F.
le Brun A. (1989) Fouilles Récentes à Khirokitia (Chypre) 1983-1986, Éditions Recherche sur les Civilisations Mémoire n° 81, Paris: A.D.P.F.
Peltenburg E.J. (1982) Vrysi: A Subterranean Settlement in Cyprus, Warminster: Aris and Philips.
Peltenburg E.J. et al (1985) Lemba Archaeological Project volume I, Excavations at Lemba Lakkous, 1976-1983, SIMA vol LXX:1, Göteborg: P. Åströms Förlag.
Peltenburg E.J. (ed.) (1989) Early Society in Cyprus, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Peltenburg E.J. et al (1991) Lemba Archaeological Project volume II.2, A Ceremonial Area at Kissonerga, SIMA vol LXX:3, Göteborg: P. Åströms Förlag.
Peltenburg E.J. et al (1998) Lemba Archaeological Project volume II.1A, Excavations at Kissonerga-Mosphilia, 1979-1992, SIMA vol LXX:2, Jonsered: P. Åströms Förlag.
Peltenburg E.J. et al (1998b) Lemba Archaeological Project volume II.1B, Excavations at Kissonerga-Mosphilia, 1979-1992, Occasional Paper 19, Edinburgh: Department of Archaeology, The University of Edinburgh..
Peltenburg E.J. et al (2003) Lemba Archaeological Project, Cyprus, volume III.1, The Colonisation and Settlement of Cyprus, Investigations at Kissonerga-Mylouthkia, 1976-1996, SIMA vol LXX:4, Sävedalen: P. Åströms Förlag.
Peltenburg E.J & Wasse A. (eds.) Neolithic Revolution; New Perspectives on Southwest Asia in Light of Recent Discoveries on Cyprus, Levant Supplementary Series 1, Oxford: Oxbow Books.
Schaiffer C.F.A. (1952) Enkomi-Alasia, Paris: Klinckseick.
¿evketo¿lu M. (2000) Archaeological Field Survey of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic Settlement Sites in Kyrenia District, North Cyprus: Systematic Surface Collection and the Interpretation of Artefacts, BAR International Series 834, Oxford: Archaeopress.
Steel L. (2004) Cyprus Before History, From the Earliest Settlers to the End of the Bronze Age, London: Duckworth.
Swiny S. (ed.) (2001) The Earliest Prehistory of Cyprus, From Colonization to Exploitation, CAARI Monograph Series vol. 2, Boston: American Schools of Oriental Research.
Swiny S, Rapp G. & Herscher E. (eds.) (2003) Sotira Kaminoudhia An Early Bronze Age Site in Cyprus, CAARI Monograph Series volume 4, Boston: American Schools of Oriental Research.
Thomas G.D. (2005) The Prehistoric Buildings of Chalcolithic Cyprus; the Lemba Experimental Village, BAR International Series 1444, Oxford: British Archaeological Reports.
Todd I.A. et al (1987) Vasilikos Valley Project 6: Excavations at Kalavassos-Tenta volume 1, SIMA Vol. LXXI:6, Göteborg: P. Åströms Förlag.
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| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
The course will share some teaching with the undergraduate course "The Prehistory of Cyprus; insularity, identity and internationalism" (ARCA10078). This level 11 gradate course will also have an additional 10 hours of scheduled seminar discussions which will not be available to undergraduate students. |
| Keywords | ArchaeologyCyprus |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Gordon Thomas
Tel: (0131 6)50 2383
Email: Gordon.Thomas@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Rosie Edwards
Tel: (0131 6)50 3782
Email: Rosie.Edwards@ed.ac.uk |
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