39067 - Archaeology of Pre-Islamic Iran (D)

Learning outcomes

The course aims at providing the student with the critical tools necessary for researching in the field of the archaeology of pre-Islamic Iran. This is obtained through a monographic subject, different year by year, which is treated starting from the direct sources, be them historical, literary or archaeological, which are approached in the critical prespective of scientific research. At the end of the course the student has not only acquired the specific knowledge of the subject investigated, but is able to master with a critical approach the vaste bibliography on Iranian archaeology and to organize with a strict methodology the sources for any archaeological investigation.

Course contents

The course concerns a single theme of the archaeology of the Iranian pre-Islamic world, studied in a more detailed monographic approach, with a particular concern towards critics and methodology.
The subject of the 2013-2014 course is: "The rock reliefs of Iran in the Sasanian period (3rd-7th century AD)".

Readings/Bibliography

The teacher during the course will make use of a number of texts for the critical study of the rock reliefs, indicated lesson by lesson. The bibliography given below is meant mainly for the students who will not be able to attend the classes.
P.O. Harper, Thrones and Enthronement Scenes in Sasanian Art, Iran 17, 1979, pp. 49-64;
L. Vanden Berghe, Reliefs rupestres de l'Iran ancien, Bruxelles 1984, pp. 55-108, 125-154 (wich bibliography of individual reliefs);
G. Herrmann, The Rock reliefs of Sasanian Iran, in J.E. Curtis, ed., Mesopotamia and Iran in the Parthian and Sasanian Periods, London 2000, pp. 35-45;
D. Huff, Formation and ideology of the Sasanian State in the context of archaeological evidence, in V. Sarkhosh Curtis & S. Stewart, eds, The Sasanian Era (The Idea of Iran vol. 3), London 2008, pp. 31-59;
T. Thompson, Composition and Continuity in Sasanian Rock Reliefs, Iranica Antiqua 43, 2008, pp. 299-358;
M. Canepa, The Two Eyes of the Earth, Art and Ritual of Kingship between Rome and Sasanian Iran, University of California Press, 2009.

Teaching methods

Lessons with direct and critical examination of the iconographical documents through slide projections and distributions of plans and maps. Aim of the course is introducing the student to the main problems of the research subject proposed. A special stress is put on the methodological approach to research, with the aim of stimulating the critical reflexion of the student.

Assessment methods

Oral examination based on an interview aimed at ascertaining acquired knowledges and competences in the subject of the course, with the possibility of having on request partial assessment of the various parts of the programme. The oral dialogue has the aim of assessing the acquisition of the notions as well as the critical capacity to relate to the teacher's lessons and the indicated bibliography. The use of a specialistic language, with right terminology, is considered a necessary prerequisite for a successful examination in a MA course.

Teaching tools

Slides projection and graphs distribution.

Office hours

See the website of Pierfrancesco Callieri