AEB_16 Bible Archaeology

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2007
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Dalibor Papoušek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Dušan Lužný, Dr.
Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Dobešová
Timetable
Thu 16:40–18:15 J22
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 11 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course familiarizes with the archaeology of regions related to biblical texts of both Old and New Testament. It especially concentrates at a more detailed characteristic of ancient Palestine or Israel (Kenaan), where the old Israelite religion, post-exile Judaism as well as Christianity crystallized. The course presents an overview of archaeological development of this area from the oldest proofs of Palaeolithic age to the verge of antiquity, i.e. the time of Talmudic Judaism and early Christianity. With regard to the Diaspora Hebraism and mission spreading of early Christianity the instruction occasionally covers also other areas (Egypt, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Greece, Italy). Due attention is paid to a balanced approach to the preserved sources, especially the question of combining of written and archaeological proofs for the reconstruction of general history of (Syro)palestine. Therefore the course also includes a brief characteristic of basic written sources, among which Bible texts stand at the forefront.
Syllabus
  • 1. Geography of Syropalestine: Four north-southern stripes of Syropalestine – coastal stripe, mountain stripe, Jordan valley, Oultrejordain. Climatic and geological development. Local names and main transport routes. 2. History of Bible archaeology. European interest in Palestine in the Middle Ages. Beginnings of scientific research of Palestine 1800-1850 (Seetzen, Burckhardt, Robinson) – fundamentals of Palestine topography. First archaeological excavations 1850-1914 (Saulcy, Warren, Petrie, Macalister, Bliss, Sellin, Reisner) - fundamentals of Palestine stratigraphy and chronology. Interwar research 1920-1938 (Garrod, Mallon, Albright, Schaeffer) - systematic large area excavations. Post-war period 1945-1960 (de Vaux, Harding, Perrot, Kenyon, Pritchard, Israeli archaeologists) – establishing of the three-dimensional excavation pit technique. Contemporary period since 1960 (Mazar, Avigad, Aharoni, Shilo, Yadin) - complex team research, new methods. Relation of Bible archaeology and archaeology of Syropalestine (Albright, Wright). 3. Archaeological periodization of (Syro)palestine: Basic points of departure – relation to Egyptian and Mesopotamian chronology. Overview of periodization schemes. Correlation of archaeological chronology with historical development 4. Palaeolithic: Climatic conditions of the Palaeolithic (pluvials). Evidence of the oldest settlement (Ubajdija); pebble industry. Middle Palaeolithic - Palestine Acheulean and Tabunien, Mousterian (Carmel mountain range). Upper and Late Paleolithic - Ahmarian, Atlitian, Kebarian (Carmel mountain range). 5. Proto-Neolithic and Early Neolithic: Natufien culture – Pre-pottery Neolithic A, B (Kenyon). Characteristics of settlements (stone architecture in Jericho, Ejnan, Nahal Oren, Beidha); chipped and polished stone industries (including stone vessels) and burial rite (numerous handling with sculls). 6. Lower Neolithic to Lower Chalcolithic: Hiatus in settlement of Palestine and its possible causes. Parallel development in Syria (Ramad and Amuk cultures). 7. Middle and Upper Chalcolithic: Jarmuc culture and its relation to Syria and North Mesopotamia. Beershev - Ghassul - Jisreel cultures: Different settlement forms, unification importance of red-painted and grey burnished pottery; burials in dolmens and ossuars; processing of copper. Esdrelon plain culture (Late Chalcolithic). 8. Early Bronze Age: Kenaan migration wave and founding of fortified cities (Chasor, Megiddo, Jericho, Arad, Lakish) – methods of fortification, types of houses, temple structures, burial rite (chamber tombs), typology of pottery, figural plastic art, sealers, copper tools. 9. Middle Bronze Age: Amorean migration wave, supremacy of Churrite nobility in Palestine – destroying and the subsequent renovation of stratified Palestinian cities with fortification innovations (glacis, forcipate gates, palatial structures). Characteristics of pottery (numerous imitations of metal vessels) and other movables. 10. Late Bronze Age: Continuity of the settlement disturbed by Egyptian invasions. Material culture in relation to the preceding period (beginnings of water pipeline structures; typology of temple structures; typological development of pottery; strengthening of Egyptian influence). 11. Iron Age I, II: Aramean migration wave and the issues of Israeli tribes ethnogenesis. Emergence and division of the Kingdom to Judean and Israeli. Archaeological characteristic of the Israelis (innovation in building of cisterns and water-conduit tunnels; casemate rampart walls; types of houses; pottery, massebas, altars) and Philistines (pottery; burial rite). 12. Babylonian and Persian epoch (Iron Age III): Importance of Babylonian exile, inclusion of Palestine into the Persian Empire system. Urban building of cities (types of houses, fortification); changes in burial rite (cabinet and shaft tombs); Greek and Persian influences on pottery and the other movables. 13. Hellenistic epoch: Issues of Hellenization of Palestine; Maccabean revolt, Hasmoneans. Building of new cities in lowland locations (urban plan but an absence of large public buildings), continual development of older Palestine cities. Use of coin means of payment. 14. Roman epoch: Roman supremacy over Palestine and the Herod dynasty. Building of new cities (Caesarea, Tiberias) or re-building of older cities (Samaria - Sebaste) – a number of public buildings (theatres, stadiums, temples, forums, bath-houses). Development of synagogue structures, changes in burial rite (ossuars, niche tombs); pottery imports (terra sigillata, Nabatean ware); glass; coins. Significant finds of texts (Qumran, Nag Hammadi).
Literature
  • FOUILOUX, Danielle. Slovník biblické kultury. 1. vyd. Praha: Ewa Edition, 1992, 320 s. ISBN 2-204-04028-2. info
Assessment methods
Requirements for the colloquium: - Adequate participation at the work in the seminar - Written paper - Overview of archaeological development of primeval and ancient Palestine.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
Information on completion of the course: Informace ke způsobu ukončení viz sylabus.
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2001, Autumn 2003, Autumn 2005, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2013.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2007, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2007/AEB_16