POL 377 - Archaeological Field Methods and Material Culture

Course Cross-listed with HIS 307/JS 307P/SOC 307
3 credit(s)
This course is an introduction to excavation techniques and material culture. It includes principles of excavation and recording, material culture identification/processing, and field-study tours. Early synagogues and church architecture serve as foci for analysis. This course contains a full introduction to the methodology of Near Eastern archaeology from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, practical instruction in ceramic typology and Semitic inscriptions, and a survey of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine society. Daily field-school instruction is from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (total: 15 days of excavation). Lectures and workshops take place each afternoon. This course is linked to an integrated companion course, Archaeology of the Land of Israel. All students complete field- and class work for both courses.
Prerequisite(s): HIS 101 or permission of instructor.

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