Publication in the Diário da República: Despacho nº 17071/2009 - 23/07/2009
3 ECTS; 1º Ano, Anual, 7,0 TP + 12,0 TC + 8,0 S , Cód. 64981.
Lecturer
- Alexandra Águeda de Figueiredo (1)(2)
(1) Docente Responsável
(2) Docente que lecciona
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Objectives
The student should be able to:
Recognize the main chronological, environmental, and cultural milestones of the Quaternary in Europe.
Understand the processes of human colonization of Europe and the factors that influenced them.
Identify the main characteristics of hunter-gatherer societies and their environmental adaptations.
Analyze the archaeological evidence related to the lifeways of hunter-gatherers and early farmers.
Compare the different subsistence strategies among Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic communities.
Apply archaeological methods and concepts in the interpretation of prehistoric contexts.
Evaluate the impact of technological and social innovations associated with the advent of agriculture and metallurgy.
Discuss theories about the transition from hunter-gatherer lifeways to agricultural sedentism.
Create interpretative hypotheses about population, economic, and cultural dynamics based on archaeological data.
Develop a critical and multidisciplinary approach to the problems of European Prehistory.
Program
1 Quaternary and Human Colonisation of Europe
1.1 Landscape and Environment
1.2 Human Evolution
1.3 Chronological Framework
1.4 Controversies on the Evolutionary Lineage
1.5 Most Iconic European Archaeological Sites
2 Hunter-Gatherer Societies
2.1 Behaviours and Rituals
2.2 Material Culture and Cultural Choices
2.3 Environmental Adaptation, Social Groups and Relations
2.4 Most Iconic European Archaeological Sites
3 The First Farmers
3.1 Behaviours and Rituals
3.2 Material Culture and Cultural Choices
3.3 Megalithism
3.4 Metals and Cultural Consequences
3.5 Most Iconic European Archaeological Sites
Evaluation Methodology
In this course unit, assessment is divided into two modalities: continuous assessment and final exam.
Under the continuous assessment system, 50% of the final grade corresponds to a written assignment to be submitted in the last class, covering the taught syllabus. The remaining 50% derives from a knowledge assessment test designed to evaluate understanding of the core topics: the Quaternary and the human colonization of Europe (landscape and environment, human evolution, chronological framework, and major controversies), hunter-gatherer societies (behaviours, rituals, environmental adaptation, and key archaeological sites), and the first farming communities (cultural transformations, megalithism, metallurgy, and their cultural consequences).
Under the exam system, assessment consists of a written test worth 100% of the final grade, covering the entire syllabus.
Assessment criteria include scientific accuracy, mastery of content, ability to synthesize and interrelate topics, appropriate use of technical terminology, and critical analysis skills. The same assessment standards apply to all examination periods.
Bibliography
- Early hominid dispersals: A technological hypothesis for "out of Africa.(2010, 0 de ---). Quaternary International, pp. 36-44.
- Lindustrie lithique du site Pléistocène inférieur de Pirro Nord (Apricena, Italie du sud) : une occupation humaine entre 1,3 et 1,7Ma.(2009, 0 de ---). LAnthropologie - doi: 10.1016/j.anthro.2009.01.004, pp. 47-58.
- The first hominin of Europe.(2008, 0 de ---). Nature, pp. 465-469.
- Transitions to Farming in Europe: Ex Oriente Lux?.(2006, 0 de ---). The agricultural revolution in prehistory: why did foragers become farmers?, pp. 325-381.
Teaching Method
Lectures supported by discussion and comparative text analysis.
Software used in class
Not applicable.
