PAPVB_27 Ethnological Examples of the Use of Space by Rural Communities in the Near East

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2015
Extent and Intensity
0/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Dr. phil. Maximilian Wilding (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Měřínský, CSc.
Department of Archaeology and Museology – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Valášková
Supplier department: Department of Archaeology and Museology – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
each even Monday 15:50–19:05 K21
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 9 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course aims to promote a bottom-up approach to spatial interpretations in Near Eastern prehistoric archaeology. Instead of simply forcing alien spatial layouts/patterns onto the worked site („objectified“, „top-down“) an approach is favored that takes as its base: the immediate landscape perception of the excavator proper (sensory approach). At the core of it is: the observation. It is assumed that the specific (extended) learning process – that is essentially observations - sets in motion „grounded“ insights and that those in turn lead to the formulation of spatial models that have never before been embraced (= inductive principle). The gained spatial organization concepts are locally-rooted, and, for that reason, may provide the archaeological researcher with slightly better analogies concerning the use of the tell landscape. The presentation of observations centers on the relations of humans: tell environment and works its way from the tell surfaces & reliefs, the location of raw materials, to the behavioral level: to the use of the terrain for habitation, productive and pragmatic social purposes. The result should be greater awareness of the fascinating & diversified aspects of „life on the tell“ in Upper Mesopotamia. As a conscious effort ground the sensory way of exploring spatial practice at tells and trench digging special emphasis is laid on (1) showing the usage of the sensory method in actual coping with a difficult tell-site (Tell Arbid Abyad) and (2) on the proper recognition of the imprint of the processes of clay house decomposition in the architectural remains and debris observed in the ruins of Lower Tell Arbid.
Syllabus
  • Part I - ‘Sensory Archaeology’ & Spatial Interpretation 1. Intro: The Tell Landscape 2. The Classical Tell Definition Reconsidered 3. A New Look at the Assumed Function of Tells (Flood Avoidance) 3.1. ‘A Tell’s Drowning’ - Observations during a seasonal rain shower in Oct. 2008. 3.2. The Tell-Wadi Symbiosis Reconsidered 3.3. Tell Arbid Abyad (TAA) & Wadi Arbid Abyad (AA) – Application of the Drainage-based Interpretation Model 4. Evidence of a Tell Deposition Reduction Practice at the Prehistoric Tell Site TAA 5. Challenging the Common Concept of Permanent Tells - Small Seasonal Tells Part II - ‘Sensory Archaeology’ & Prehistoric Tell Excavation Technique 6. Tell Digging Practices: Classical Tell Digging vs. Prehistoric Tell Digging 6.1. Classical Tell Digging (‘Register Method’) 6.2. Prehistoric Tell Digging (‘Inquisitive Method’) 6.3. Special Problems of Preparation & Digging at TAA 6.4. The ‘Sensory Digging’ Technique in Use at TAA Part III – ‘Sensory Archaeology’ & Mud House Taphonomy 7. Tell Arbid (TA) Spatial Organization 8. Producing Mud Houses 9. Looks & Functions of TA Mud Houses 10. Observations on the Surface Traces of Clay Wear: A Field Archaeological Tool Kit 11. Observations on the Alternative Use of Recent Mud House Ruins at TA 12. Observations on the Taphonomical Process of Recent TA Mud Houses 13. Epilogue
Literature
  • M. D. L BALOI. 1996. Archaeology and Mud Wall Decay in the Bobirwa Area: An
  • David NICHOLAS & Carol KRAMER. 2006. Ethnoarchaeology in Action. Cambridge: University Press.
  • Karin PUETT. 2005. Zelte, Kupplen und Hallenhaeuser : Wohnen und Bauen im laendlichen Syrien.
  • Arlene M. ROSEN. 1986. Cities of Clay: The Geoarchaeology of Tells. Chicago: University Press.
Teaching methods
To achieve the said goal and to make the lecture content fully applicable for future Near East archaeologist practical examples for the chain observation > „grounded“ insights > inductive models are chosen, which stem from the MU prehistoric activities at Tell Arbid, Syria 2006-2010. A bulk of overview & close-up images supporting observation are shown and carefully discussed.
Assessment methods
Assessment is based on the triad: (1) attendance, (2) participation in in-class discuss, (3) performance in a final exam.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2015, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2015/PAPVB_27