Lehrende/r: Henrike Backhaus; Dr. Tobias Helms
Veranstaltungsart: Seminar/Proseminar
Anzeige im Stundenplan: PS/S VA Archäologie
Semesterwochenstunden: 2
Unterrichtssprache: Englisch
Min. | Max. Teilnehmerzahl: - | -
Inhalt: The study of economic relations is crucial for understanding past societies. Economic archaeology investigates the relationship between ancient populations and their natural resources by exploring the organization of subsistence activities (food procurement, food production) as well as the production, distribution and consumption of all goods available to a past society at a given point of time. Economic archaeology aims to explain the driving forces behind economic strategies and explores the relationship between the economy and the sociopolitical organization of past societies. The course provides a basic introduction to key concepts and central research questions of economic archaeology by (mostly) focusing on examples from the Ancient Near East (Western Asia). This area is of particular interest for the study of pre-modern economies since it is here, where radical changes such as the transition to sedentary life or the rise of the first cities and states occurred at very early point in human history. While we will primarily draw on Near Eastern examples, the questions discussed in our course are relevant for students from all disciplines dealing with pre-modern societies. We also invite everyone interested in approaches of studying pre-capitalist economies to enroll for our introductory course: neither previous experience with archaeological research nor knowledge of economic theory is required. Note, that the course is designed as a reading class. Therefore, we expect every participant to read at least one article in preparation to each lesson. The participants of the course will also be asked to actively engage in our joint discussions. The research papers discussed in the seminar will cover a broad range of topics, from the application of economic models and theories in (Near Eastern) archaeology to classic as well as recent articles from the fields of economics, economic anthropology, and economic geography that had and have an impact on archaeological research. In order to diversify the curriculum of our institute, the joint discussions will be held in English (if at least one non-German speaker will attend).
Empfohlene Literatur: G. Feinman (2008) Economic Archaeology, in: D. M. Pearsall (Hg.), Encyclopedia of Archaeology Vol. 2, 1114-1120? (https://www.academia.edu/343880/Economic_Archaeology_Gary_M._Feinman_2008_?) M. E. Smith (2004) The Archaeology of Ancient State Economies, Annu. Rev. Anthropol. 33, 73–102 (http://www.public.asu.edu/~mesmith9/1-CompleteSet/MES-04-ARA-Econ.pdf)
