ART 220-01, Classical Archaeology, Spring 2012

Abstract

This course will address the material remains of the ancient Mediterranean, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Aegean, Greece, Etruria, and Rome. By examining the history of the rediscovery of the classical world we will come to understand “How do we know what we know about antiquity?” through the personalities and methodologies of more than two centuries of archaeological practice. We will also study ethical and legal questions related to classical archaeology and the broader question of “Who owns the past?” by looking into case studies of looting, theft, and museological issues.