Topics in Mediterranean Archaeology

A study of a specific topic in Mediterranean archaeology. Recent courses have treated such topics as Pompeii, the Archaeology of North Africa, and the Archaeology of Israel. May be repeated for credit with topic changes. Information on upcoming topics courses can be found on the department web page.

Current Semester Information

310A: Tps:The Ancient House

Topics in Mediterranean Archaeology: The Ancient House and Household

In this course we will examine the evidence used to interpret and reconstruct ancient Greek houses and households, from ancient literary sources and material remains to theoretical models and cross-cultural analogies. We will also consider the social function of the house and the material correlates of those functions in the archaeological record. Since ancient Greek women had important roles in the household, we will consider how the archaeological evidence might reflect these roles and support or contradict a gendered reading of the archaeological record. Studies of ancient Greek domestic material are extremely popular right now, as the topic appeals to current interests in the non-elite, women, and the social function of spaces. Recent work by archaeologists and art historians (such as Nevett, Ault, Allison, Hoepfner and Schwander, and Cahill) has demonstrated the exciting potential of household studies. We will look critically at the kinds of questions scholars are asking and consider where the field should go next.