ARCHAEOLOGY

NMC 260Y The Archaeology of the Ancient Near East

A general introduction to the archaeology of the ancient Near East, including prehistory, Syria-Palestine, and the high civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. The course will be organized chronologically around broad processual themes (e.g. the origins of agriculture, emergence of urbanism; the rise of state-ordered societies, etc.), and will trace their historical development within the various geographical sub-regions of the ancient Near East. Emphasis will be placed on cultural history, while exploring the complex processes of social organization and change that gave shape to the remarkable cultural accomplishments of the ancient Near Eastern world.
Course requirements will consist of: (1) reading assignments (see course schedule); (2) four non-cumulative exams covering material presented in class and in the primary reading assignments (4 x 20% = 80%); and (3) two short essays (2 x 10% = 20%). Essays are due at the beginning of class and lateness will be penalized by a 10% reduction in mark per day.
Required texts:
Kemp, B.: Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization. Routledge (1989)
Kuhrt, A.: Ancient Near East: 3000 - 330 B.C. Routledge (1995)
Lloyd, S.: The Archaeology of Mesopotamia. Thames & Hudson. (1987)
Mazar, A.: Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, 10,000 - 586 BCE. Yale University Press. (1991)
Recommended texts:
Roux, G.: Ancient Iraq. Penguin. (1980)
Trigger, B., et al.: Ancient Egypt: A Social History. Cambridge University Press (1983).

NMC 261Y Field Archaeology

This course is designed as a general practicum in archaeological field methods. As a field course, emphasis will be placed on active participation in an ongoing field project directed by faculty or staff of the Department. In the summer of 2009, students will participate in the Tell Madaba Archaeological Project. Students will receive extensive training in excavation methods, recording procedures, and the preliminary processing of artifacts. Weekly lectures and weekend field trips exploring the archaeology of the region will supplement the primary focus on field experience. All students are eligible to particpate; no prior field experience is necessary. Some term work will be completed upon return to campus in the fall.

NMC 360H1 Archaeology of the Biblical World I: The Bronze Ages (formerly NMC361Y)
Prof. T. Harrison

The archaeology of Syria-Palestine from prehistoric times until the end of the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1200 BCE), with a special emphasis on the development of complex society, and inter-relations with the neighboring regions of Egypt and Syro-Mesopotamia. (Offered in alternate years)
Evaluation: TBA
Texts: Ahlström, G., The History of Ancient Palestine (1993)
Holladay, J. S. & Harrison, T.P., Archaeological Atlas of Palestine
Levy, T.E., The Archaeology of Society in the Holy Land (1998)
Mazar, A., Archaeology of the Land of the Bible 10,000-586 BCE (1991)
Prerequisite: NMC 260Y
Exclusion: NMC361Y

NMC 361H1 Archaeology of the Biblical World II: The Iron Age (formerly NMC361Y)
Prof. T. Harrison

The archaeology of Syria-Palestine from the collapse of the Late Bronze Age until the Persian Period, with a special emphasis on the emergence of Israel and the small territorial nation-states of the eastern Mediterranean seaboard. (Offered in alternate years)
Evaluation: TBA
Texts:Ahlström, G., The History of Ancient Palestine (1993)
Holladay, J. S. & Harrison, T.P., Archaeological Atlas of Palestine
Levy, T.E., The Archaeology of Society in the Holy Land (1998)
Mazar, A., Archaeology of the Land of the Bible 10,000-586 BCE (1991)
Prerequisite: NMC 260Y
Exclusion: NMC361Y

NMC 362Y The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt
Prof. M.A. Pouls Wegner

A survey of the monumental art and architecture of ancient Egypt, as well as other important aspects of material culture, from Predynastic times through the Pharaonic period. The approach to the study of this material will emphasize cultural history rather than traditional art history, focussing on the function and context of the artifacts and monuments discussed, in addition to the development of canons of representation and architectural traditions. Attention will also be given to the history of Egyptian archaeology and to specific issues related to the analysis of archaeological and inscriptional data. (Offered in alternate years)
Evaluation: Two in-class tests and two research papers
Texts: Edwards, I.E.S., The Pyramids of Egypt (1993)
Emery, W.B., Archaic Egypt (1963)
Ikram, S. and Dodson, A., The Mummy in Ancient Egypt: Equipping the Dead for Eternity (1998)
Kemp, B., Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization (1991)
Redford, D., Egypt, Canaan and Israel in Ancient Times (1992)
Smith, W.S., The Art and Architecture of Ancient Egypt (1988)
Trigger, B.G., B.J. Kemp, D. O'Connor and A.B. Loyd, Ancient Egypt: A Social History (1983)
Prerequisite: NMC 260Y

NMC 363H1 The Archaeology of Historical Mesopotamia I: 3000-1600 BCE (formerly NMC363Y1Y)
Prof. C. Reichel

The archaeology, art and architecture of Iraq, North Syria and western Iran from ca. 3000-1600 BCE. The civilizations of Sumer, Akkad, Babylonia and Assyria, as well as their relationship to those of the surrounding areas. (Offered in alternate years)
Evaluation: TBA.
Texts: Frankfort, H., The Art and Architecture of the Ancient Orient (1997) (required)
Akkermans, P.M.M.G. and G.M. Schwartz, The Archaeology of Syria (2003)
Collon, D., Ancient Near Eastern Art (1995)
Nissen, H.J., The Early History of the Ancient Near East, 9000-2000 B.C. (1988)
Roaf, M., Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East (1990)
Exclusion: NMC363Y
Prerequisite: NMC 260Y

NMC 364H1 The Archaeology of Historical Mesopotamia II: 1600-330 BCE (formerly NMC363Y1Y)
Prof. C. Reichel

The archaeology, art and architecture of Iraq, North Syria and western Iran from ca.1600 BCE to the Persian period. The civilizations of Sumer, Akkad, Babylonia and Assyria, as well as their relationship to those of the surrounding areas. (Offered in alternate years)
Evaluation: TBA.
Texts: Frankfort, H., The Art and Architecture of the Ancient Orient (1997) (required)
Akkermans, P.M.M.G. and G.M. Schwartz, The Archaeology of Syria (2003)
Collon, D., Ancient Near Eastern Art (1995)
Nissen, H.J., The Early History of the Ancient Near East, 9000-2000 B.C. (1988)
Roaf, M., Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East (1990)
Exclusion: NMC363Y
Prerequisite: NMC 260Y

NMC 366Y1F Archaeology from Alexander to Muhammad
Prof. E. Keall

An overview of late antique Greek, Arab and Persian material culture, as seen through the archaeological record of Syria, Iraq, and Iran. (Offered every three years)

Evaluation: The final grade is based on a major term paper (40%), class reports (20%) and a final open-book exam (40%)

NMC 367H1 Archaeology& Architecture of Egyptian Monasticism

Underlines the role of some Egyptian monasteries as active institutions carrying out numerous economic activities, and reveals the forces that enabled their survival and changing function. Exploration of these rich sites of cultural exchange, as manifested in their architecture and religious art and written material.
Recommended Preparation: NMC202H, 342H, 368H

NMC 368H1 Coptic Art & Archaeology

A survey of Coptic art, archaeology and architecture. The course will cover aspects of the religious, civil and daily life of the Copts: their houses, religious architecture, funerary monuments, art and artefacts.
Evaluation: TBA

NMC 369Y1 Archaeological Materials and Industries

Prof. R. Mason
Materials and technology help to define the cultures and civilizations that used them, especially for archaeologists. This course is aimed at promoting understanding of the nature of materials used by the peoples of the Near and Middle East from earliest prehistory until recent times. Essentially following the chronological development for each material, we shall in turn examine stone and mineral raw materials, ceramics and glass, metals, and "organic raw materials." Each raw material group will be discussed throughout its period of use. For example, stone will start with the raw materials of struck lithics, through Mesopotamian cylinder seals and ancient Egyptian statues, to mediaeval Syrian architecture. Ceramics will cover the manufacture of pottery from cooking pots in the Neolithic to polychrome Iznik ceramics, and include glass, ancient Egyptian faience, and stonepaste, together with plasters and other non-metallic pyrotechnologies. Metallurgy will cover copper alloys from Chalcolithic axes to Islamic brass bowls, through ferrous metals from the first iron knife to Damascus steel blades, to precious metals. Organic materials will start with Palaeolithic bone barbs, pass through ivories from Nimrud, to the construction of ships.
Each section will cover sources of study (textual, analytical, archaeological), explore the context of each material and technological development, and their social and cultural impact. (Offered in alternate years)
Evaluation: Three tests (10%, 20%, 20%), one essay (25%) and a final in-class exam (25%)
Recommended preparation: NMC 260Y/365Y
Exclusion: NMC369H
Suggested Reading:
al-Hassan, Ahmed Y. and Donald R. Hill, Islamic Technology: An Illustrated History (1986)
Moorey, P.R.S., Ancient Mesopotamian Materials and Industries: the Archaeological Evidence (1994)
Nicholson, Paul T. and Ian Shaw, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology (2000)

NMC 461Y Problems in the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East

A programme of directed research in selected problems in Near Eastern archaeology for those intending to continue at the graduate level. The student will be expected to have a thorough background in Near Eastern archaeology and history. This course provides the advanced student with the opportunity to pursue in-depth research on an archaeological topic of his/her own choosing (within the framework of opportunity afforded by the instructor's competence).
Evaluation: One major research paper and seminar participation
Prerequisite: One and a half courses from NMC 361Y/362Y/363H/363Y/465H/466H, two courses from NMC 370Y/371Y/372Y/470Y, with a B+ average in all, and permission of instructor

NMC 462Y Polarized-light Microscopy in Archaeology

Prof. R. Mason
This course is intended to provide students with training for the use of polarized-light microscopy in the examination of ceramics, stone, other materials, and microstratigraphy. Starting with classes in elementary optical mineralogy and case studies, the bulk of the training will comprise lab sessions in which typical thin-sections of rocks, pottery, soils and other materials will be studied. Working from standard thin-sections and using a lab manual, students will be taught to recognize the principle minerals and other inclusions (including anthropogenic) found in archaeological ceramics. The chief types of rock used in archaeological artefacts will be examined in thin-section. Thin-sections of archaeological micro-stratigraphy will also be examined. Prior knowledge of geology is not necessary. (Offered in alternate years)
Evaluation: Grade is based on 10 thin-section reports selected by student from twenty possible reports
Texts: Lab Manual (required)
Deer, W.A. et al., An Introduction to the Rock-Forming Minerals (2nd edition) (optional)
MacKenzie, W.S. and C. Guilford, Atlas of Rock-Forming Minerals in Thin-section
Exclusion: NMC462H
Prerequisite: NMC 369H or ARH 312Y, and permission of the instructor

NMC 465H1 Ceramic Analysis [Lab course]

Prof. T. Harrison
Introduces students to the methods of analysis involved in the study of archaeological ceramics. As a virtually indestructible material, ceramics are a basic and ubiquitous category of archaeological evidence. As such, they represent an almost unlimited source of information about the past. In addition to conventional methods of processing and classifying ceramic assemblages, including form, fabric, and stylistic analysis, students will be introduced to more technical forms of analysis aimed at identifying methods of production, and the function and use of ceramic vessels. Emphasis will be placed on linking analytical methods with the appropriate research questions they can address. The potential of ceramics to infer patterns of social organization and economic exchange will also be examined. Students will have the opportunity to work directly with ceramic material within a laboratory setting. (Offered in alternate years)
Evaluation: Based on two tests (25% each), a term paper (40%), and lab participation (10%)
Text: Rice, P., Pottery Analysis: A Source Book (1987)
Exclusion: NMC364H
Prerequisites: NMC 260Y/369H/ARH 312Y

NMC 466H Ancient Near Eastern Ceramics [Lab course]

Prof. T. Harrison
Introduces students to the basic corpus of ancient Near Eastern ceramics, from the invention of pottery production in the Neolithic until the Persian period, with an emphasis on assemblages from the region of Syria-Palestine. The primary purpose of the course is to prepare students who intend to participate in archaeological field projects in the Near East. Students will have the opportunity to work directly with existing collections at the university, and in the Royal Ontario Museum. (Offered in alternate years)

Evaluation: Based on two tests (25% each), a term paper (40%), and lab participation (10%)
Texts: Course readings will be made available as a packet at the beginning of the course
Exclusion: NMC367H
Prerequisites: NMC 260Y, NMC 465H

NMC 467H1 Archaeology and Material Culture of Ancient Egypt I: Predynastic Period to Middle Kingdom

Prof. M. Pouls Wegner
An examination of the archaeology and material culture of ancient Egypt, with emphasis on the theoretical and methodological issues inherent in interpreting the archaeological record. Students will also work directly with artifactual materials from the Egyptian collection of the ROM.
Exclusion: NMC467Y
Prerequisites: NMC 371Y/NMC362Y/NMC343 and NMC344H, and permission of the instructor

NMC 468H Archaeology and Material Culture of Ancient Egypt II: Second Intermediate Period to Greco-Roman Period

NMC469Y1Y Contextualizing Medieval Middle Eastern and Islamic Pottery

Prof. R. Mason
This course will use ceramics as the central core to study the material culture of the medieval Middle East and the central Islamic lands. As such, they will be running narrative, to which other materials will be referred, or in turn used to refer to other materials. The same motifs found on ceramics may be found in the contemporaneous buildings, textiles or woodwork; the same forms are found in metalwork and glass; illustrations on ceramics will survive better than manuscript paintings, and there are more illustrations of, for instance, medieval swords to be found on pottery than there are actual swords. The course will rely heavily on the collections of the ROM, and provide a thorough grounding on the technical production and typological variability of the various types of materials attested within their archaeological and cultural context.
Prerequisites: NMC260Y, one other 300+ level course in archaeological materials

University of Toronto