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Environmental history of the Near East

Vak
2016-2017

Admission requirements

Bachelor’s degree obtained.

Description

This course provides an introduction to the way humans in the past exploited their environment. This includes both the factors that are determined by the environment and factors that are associated with economy and health in particular. Basic concepts that are discussed include: origin and development of agriculture, domestication, climate and soil (related to irrigation and fertilisation), food and fuel, yield, storage and transport, and labour in relation to agricultural practices and food preparation.

The course also deals with the way archaeobotanical research can contribute to the reconstruction of the former landscape and how humans changed the landscape.

The aspects mentioned above will be studied within the context of environments en developments in the Near East.

Course objectives

  • Knowledge of the central concepts and ability to explain causal relationships between these concepts in relation to the exploitation of the landscape;

  • Knowledge of models that provide insight in the origins of agriculture, the selection of crops, and sampling strategy in relation to the reconstruction of agricultural practices;

  • Ability to evaluate theories related to agriculture and food economy based on archaeobotanical evidence.

Timetable

Course schedule details can be found in the MA time schedule.

Mode of instruction

Lectures, with student participation.

Course load

The course load will be distributed as follows:

  • 7×2 hours of lectures;

  • 420 pages of literature;

  • Essay (1,500-1,800 words).

Assessment method

Essay (1,500-1,800 words).

The essay needs to be handed in within 1 month after the end of the lecture series.

All assessment deadlines (exams, retakes, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the examination schedule.

Reading list

R.T.J. Cappers & R. Neef, Handbook of Plant Palaeoecology. Groningen: Barkhuis (2012).

Registration

Registration for the course is not necessary, registration for the exam is mandatory. For instructions, see the Registration in uSis page.

Contact

For more information about this course, please contact prof. dr. R.T.J. Cappers.

Remarks

Compulsory attendance.