Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to trace the major phases of human evolution, from the earliest hominin forms to the end of Protohistory, understand the drivers of evolution and the scientific methods used to study them. 

 

Goals

The aim of the course is to introduce to the origins and evolution of humanity, from the appearance of the first hominins to the Iron Age. By exploring prehistory, we will first attempt to understand the evolutionary processes and specificities (biological and cultural) of human beings. We will then look at European societies in their relationship with their environment and, based on material traces, attempt to characterize modes of subsistence, land occupation, funerary and religious practices, and technical and artistic production. Over the course of the sessions, we will also be introduced to the concepts and methods of scientific research and the major issues in contemporary archaeology.

The course also provides elements for understanding our present-day societies, particularly in their relationship with the environment and technology.


 

Content

Plan

I. Historiography and definition of concepts, traces and methods

II The origins of mankind (7-2 ma) - Lower Palaeolithic (3.3 ma-300,000 BP)

III.Middle Palaeolithic (350,000-40,000 BP)

IV.Middle Stone Age and Upper Palaeolithic (40,000 BP-12,000 BC)

V.Prehistoric art

VI.Epipaleolithic and Mesolithic (12,000-6500 BC)

VII. Neolithic and Chalcolithic (10,000/5,200 - 2,200 BC)

VIII.Bronze Age (2300-800 BC)

IX. Iron Age (800-25 BC)

 

Assessment method

Written exam

Language of instruction

Français