ARCH.SP22

This course introduces the art and archaeology of the ancient Near East and Egypt. You may be familiar with the Great Pyramids, the fabled Tower of Babel, and the Laws of Hammurabi. But the river valleys of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt and neighboring lands also gave birth to innovations that continue to shape our world, from agriculture, cities, and writing, to money, math, and even beer. In this lecture- and discussion-based course, we will explore some of the most significant archaeological sites, artifacts, and monuments of these lands and study the historical figures and cultural and social developments that spurred these inventions and transformations over the period from ca. 10,000 to 330 BCE. We will also read ancient texts in translation, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Book of the Dead, that give insight into the worldview and concerns of these cultures. You will learn how we can know about this distant past by piecing together material evidence from archaeological excavations with ancient texts, monuments, and images—but also how this study is influenced by contemporary politics and values.