Celtic Archaeology

A.Y. 2022/2023
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
L-ANT/01
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide a broad framework of knowledge relating to peoples archaeologically connotable as Celtic who lived during the Ist millennium BC in continental Europe and south of the Alps, with particular regard to the complexes referable to the Golasecca Celts (I Iron Age) and to the La Tène Celts that from the 4th century BC onward spread in the so-called Gallia Cisalpina.
Pratically, the aim is to achieve the capacity to recognize and interpretate the sources, that in addition to the archaeological record from inhabited, funerary and cultural sites, include epigraphic documents and classical texts as well, and to examinate the relationship between material culture and cultural identity.
Furthermore, taking into account that during the Iron Age the region covered by the topic assumes the structure that still characterizes it and its main cities arose, the course can represent a reflection on how the protohistoric archaeology can contribute to the interpretation of the current landscape in its diachronic stratification and to the debate relating to ethnicity and cultural identity, also referred to the contemporary.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge of archaeological sources, with particular regard to material culture and productions, artistic expressions, settlement dynamics, funerary documentation, economics and exchanges.
Ability to use archaeological sources in order to read and interpret the ideological aspects and the social and economic structures that characterize the ancient societies under the topic .
Knowledge of literature, seminal sources and interpretations that have most significantly contributed to the understanding of the contexts and critical ability to evaluate open problems and possible divergent interpretations of phenomena.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Part A (n. 20 h, 3 cfu):
Introduction to Later Prehistory: Chronology and cultural framework (Bronze/Iron Age).

Part B (n. 20 h, 3 cfu):
Golasecca Celts: the earliest celtic culture in Italy.

Part C (n. 20 h, 3 cfu):
Golasecca Celts and Hallstatt Celts. Relationships and trades.
Prerequisites for admission
Prehistory; Methodology of archaeological research (recommended, not required).
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures in the classroom with projection of images; class discussions. If possible, supplementary activities (visits to museums and practice on findings) to provide a direct knowledge of the material culture.
Teaching Resources
ibliography (updates and changes may be provided at the beginning of the course)

Part A
Slides of the lessons relating to the Didactic Unit I, available in .pdf format at the end of the module and downloadable by the Ariel web site.


Part B
Slides of the lessons relating to the Didactic Unit I, available in .pdf format at the end of the module and downloadable by the Ariel web site. Moreover:
1. de Marinis R.C., La prima età del Ferro, in M. Harari, a c. di, La storia di Varese. Il territorio di Varese in età preistorica e protostorica, Varese 2017 (Nomos Edizioni), pp. 196-237.
2. de Marinis R.C., I Celti golasecchiani, in Arslan E., Vitali D., a c. di, I Celti, Milano 1991, pp. 93-102.
3. de Marinis R.C., Sesto Calende, la seconda tomba di guerriero, in de Marinis R.C., Massa S. e Pizzo M., a c. di, Alle Origini di Varese e del suo territorio, Varese 2009, pp. 162-203.

Part C
1. de Marinis R.C., I principi celti, in Principi etruschi tra Mediterraneo ed Europa, catalogo della mostra di Bologna, Venezia (Marsilio), 2000, pp. 377-389.
2. Pare C., 1991 - 'Fürstensitze, Celts and the Mediterranean World: Developments in the West Hallstatt Culture in the 6th and 5th Centuries BC', Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society 57: 183-202.
3. Fougère F., Chaume B., La tombe de Vix. Un trésor entre histoire et légendes, Lyon, 2016.
4. B. Chaume, Tracking down the story of the discovery of the Vix princely burial: new results, in GERMANIA 96, 2018, pp. 93-139.
5. Verger S., La Dame de Vix: une défunte à personnalité multiple, in J. Guilaine (ed.), Sépultures et sociétés. Du Néolithique à l'Histoire, Paris 2009, pp. 285-309.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral test.
L-ANT/01 - PREHISTORY AND EARLY HISTORY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours