Undergraduate Course: Art and Architecture of Ancient Cyprus: Archaeological Perspectives (ARCA10048)
Course Outline
| School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Cyprus is at the crossroads between the Ancient Near East and Europe. It has been subject to influences from Egypt, Assyria, Phoenicia and especially Greece. In spite of these impacts, the island=s cultures remained highly distinctive, like so many other ancient island societies in contact with nearby civilisations. This course investigates the dynamics of Mediterranean island identity as expressed through the case study of art and architecture recovered by archaeologists in Cyprus. It deals with periods from the first sedentary farmers to the creation of the mosaics at the World Heritage site of Nea Paphos. One of the themes in dedicated studies is the propensity of islanders to select and adapt external influences, often for the construction of elite identities. Art forms to be considered in their architectural settings include figurines, sculptures, jewellery, vase painting and mosaics. |
| Course description |
Not entered
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Pre-requisites: Archaeology 2A and 2B, or Honours entry to degrees in Classics, or equivalent. |
| Additional Costs | None. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 3 Archaeology courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
A knowledge and understanding of
- The manner in which interdisciplinary studies can lead to much richer reconstructions.
- Critical awareness of the archaeological context of art and architecture.
- Early contacts between Europe and the Middle East.
- How early island societies appropriated, adapted and rejected external stimuli
- The strengths and weaknesses of the archaeological record.
- The development of island societies as exemplified by the Cypriot record.
- The development of western attitudes to other cultures (cf. in this context Edward Said, Orientalism).
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Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Gordon Thomas
Tel: (0131 6)50 2383
Email: Gordon.Thomas@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Amanda Campbell
Tel: (0131 6)50 3782
Email: amanda.campbell@ed.ac.uk |
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