Etruscans and Iron Age Italy

Etruria is no longer known exclusively through its cemeteries, nor can it be studied in isolation from its Italian and European neighbours. Through archaeological and landscape surveys and new excavations, we have today a detailed picture within which to place the enormous wealth of archaeological material. Attention is now devoted to a whole range of study areas, from urban settlements, to aristocratic residences and small farms, sanctuaries. More importantly, we are now in a position to situate Etruria and Central Italy at the centre of an increasingly vibrant context of cultural interaction within the Mediterranean and Central Europe.

The course is organized through specific themes (death, social and economic landscapes, production and trade, urbanism and social complexity, religion and symbolism), but is also chronologically progressive from the beginning of the Iron Age or Villanovan period (c. 1000 BC) to the Roman period (c. 2^nd century BC) with particular emphasis on the Iron Age and Archaic period. The material culture will be explored via lectures and student presentations from multiple points of view (socio-cultural, economic, political, ritual and symbolic) in order to provide the students with analytical tools as well as knowledge of the material.