At the Origins of the Mediterranean Civilization: Archaeology of the City from the Levant to the West - 3rd-1st millennium BC
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Course Summary
This course explores the archaeology of cities in the Levant and West Asia, from the earliest cities in the region to the Islamic period. Through case studies of ancient cities like Jericho, Petra, and Palmyra, you'll learn about the development of urbanism in the region and the social and political changes that influenced it.Key Learning Points
- Explore the archaeology of cities in the Levant and West Asia
- Learn about the development of urbanism in the region
- Understand the social and political changes that influenced the development of cities
Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have
- Archaeologist
- USA: $60,000 - $80,000
- India: INR 5,00,000 - INR 8,00,000
- Spain: €30,000 - €40,000
- Researcher
- USA: $50,000 - $70,000
- India: INR 4,00,000 - INR 6,00,000
- Spain: €20,000 - €30,000
- Museum Curator
- USA: $40,000 - $60,000
- India: INR 3,00,000 - INR 5,00,000
- Spain: €20,000 - €30,000
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the development of urbanism in the Levant and West Asia
- Analyze the social and political changes that influenced the development of cities
- Gain knowledge of ancient cities in the region
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic knowledge of archaeology
- Interest in the history of the Levant and West Asia
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online self-paced
- Video lectures
- Reading materials
- Assignments
Similar Courses
- Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
- Egyptology: The King's Man
- The Science of the Solar System
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- Amihai Mazar
- Ian Hodder
- Claude F. A. Schaeffer
Related Books
Description
Which are the deepest roots of that mix of cultures that we use to call ‘Mediterranean Civilization’? Which are comminglings and exchanges which produced its most complete fruit, i.e. the city, a place for landscape-modelling communities? And which elements did contribute to build up that baulk of customs, ideas, and innovations which compelled to confrontation and hybridizations different peoples for millennia? What did it made, from pottery to metallurgy, from gastronomy to architecture, from art to religion, of a sea a cradle of civilization? Archaeology may help in disentangling such questions, seeking unexpected answers , by tinkering what ancient Mediterranean peoples left buried in the ground. A privileged point of view of our course is the ancient Phoenician city of Motya, located exactly at the centre of the “sea in the middle”. Throughout the live experience of excavation, with images taken on the field, this course will let you touch the many tesserae of the great mosaic of the Mediterranean Civilization. The field diary of the archaeologist, and the handpick will be the two tools, which will lead us across the sea to discover what such early cities actually were, and how their contribute is still a major part of our shared memory.
Outline
- Towards the West
- 1 Introduction
- 1.1 On the routes of Phoenicians
- 1.2 Crossing the Middle Sea
- 1.3 Concept of the city
- Suggested readings
- Into the West
- Concept of the city
- 2.1 Jericho and the Levantine city
- 2.2 The Palace the heart of the city
- 2.3 A society in a network
- Suggested readings
- The idea of the city
- Discovering Motya
- 3.1 Landing on Motya
- 3.2 Prehistoric Motya from Levantines to Myceneans
- 3.3 Phoenicians’ arrival
- Suggested readings
- Discovering Motya
- Life and Ideology
- 4.1 Water for life
- 4.2 The sacred waters and the inferior world
- 4.3 The Temple of the Kothon
- Suggested readings
- Ideology and Life
- Stars sparkling in the waters
- 5.1 The sacred pool
- 5.2 Astarte: the thousand faces of the goddess
- 5.3 The sacred precint
- 5.4 Ancient anchors
- Suggested readings
- Stars sparkling in the water
- An Identity to share
- 6.1 The necropolis: life reflected in death
- 6.2 The Tophet
- 6.3 The Tophet and the city
- Suggested readings
- An identity to share
- A changing society
- 7.1: Dwelling quarter
- 7.2: Finds and colour of the daily life
- 7.3 Dwelling quarter
- Suggested readings
- A changing society
- Portrait of an harbour city
- 8.1: The City-walls
- 8.2: War and defences
- 8.3: Integration and destruction: the Motya charioteer
- Suggested readings
- Picture of a city
- Final Quiz
Summary of User Reviews
Discover the fascinating history and archaeology of the Levant West through this engaging course on Coursera. Students rave about the quality of the content and the knowledgeable instructors. One key aspect that many users thought was good is the interactive nature of the course, which includes virtual tours and discussions with peers.Pros from User Reviews
- High-quality content
- Knowledgeable instructors
- Interactive course with virtual tours and discussions
- Easy to navigate platform
- Engaging assignments
Cons from User Reviews
- Some technical difficulties with the platform
- Limited feedback from instructors
- Course may be too basic for advanced learners
- Lack of diversity in perspectives
- Some users had trouble with the quizzes
Lorenzo Nigro
4.6 Raiting
At the Origins of the Mediterranean Civilization: Archaeology of the City from the Levant to the West - 3rd-1st millennium BC
- 4.6
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Which are the deepest roots of that mix of cultures that we use to call ‘Mediterranean Civilization’? Which are comminglings and exchanges which produced its most complete fruit, i....
