Unit information: European Iron Age in 2013/14

Unit name	European Iron Age
Unit code	ARCH35011
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Heyd
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit focuses on the Iron Age in Continental Europe and Britain (c.1100 BCE to 43 AD). It will acquaint you with the archaeology and early history of different Iron Age societies, with special reference to the Celts. Research of the last 40 years and recent fieldwork has altered our views and conceptions of many topics, such as the emergence of iron technology; Cimmerians, Scythians, and Sarmatians of the steppes and their impact on farming Europe; the Late Hallstatt princely cultures and their engagement with Mediterranean Greeks, Etruscans, and the Phoenicians; the Celtic art; the expansion of the Celts and the Celtic migration into the Mediterranean ; the subsequent Oppida civilisation; and finally Germanic pressure and Roman conquest. The course will use up-to-date material and the latest research and will discuss and analyse it throughout.

Aims

• To give students a wide overview and make them understand the basic data that comprises the European and British Iron Age, C. 1100 BCE- 43 AD, and of the archaeology of the Celts

• To explore in a methodological way the key sources, the many graves , hoards and settlements, as well as the social, economic and ritual organisation behind them

• To familiarise students with chronologies, distributions, theories, hypotheses and models relevant for the wider Iron Age

• To encourage students to widen their understanding and awareness of the relevant archaeological sources and their itnerpretations

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the unit, a successful student will be able to:

1)Summarise significant aspects of a number of Iron Age sites in Continental Europe and Britain

2)Discuss the internal relations of the Celtic world with steppe populations, Mediterranean civilisations

3)Debate theoretical question concerning issues such as social hierarchisation and formation of elites; burial customs and hoarding practices; acculturation and transmission of innovations and ideas; mobility and migration; and development or territories and formation of tribes in their practical application to Iron Age Europe and Britain.

Teaching Information

• 2 hrs per week over a ten week period of lectures
• Additional group lectures of one hour will be held in week 2,4 and 6 and 8 of the ten week period.
• Individual tutorials will be arranged for at least another three times during course times

Assessment Information

1) One essay of 3000-3500 words 50%. Assesses ILOs 1-3

2) One oral presentation (20 minutes) based on the essay topic (25%). Assesses ILOs 1-3

3)One in-class test (60 minutes) 25%. Assesses ILOs 1-3

Reading and References

Bonfante, L. (ed.) 2011. The barbarians of ancient Europe: Realities and interaction. Cambridge: University Press

Cunliffe, B. 2003. The Ancient Celts. London: Penguin

Cunliffe, B. 2005. Iron age communities in Britain (4th edit) London: Routledge

Kristiansen, K. 1998. Europe before history. Cambridge: University Press

Riva, C. 2010. The urbanisation of Etruria: Funerary practises and social change 700-600 BC. Cambridge: University Press

Wells, P.S. 2008. Image and response in early Europe. London. Duckworth