Prerequisites

At least a passive understanding of German, English, and Italian is recommended.

Content (Syllabus outline)

Study of an archaeological site has developed into collaboration by researchers in various disciplines. Students focus on the topics of modern research approaches to archaeological sites and settlement patterns in archaeological periods, which is highly dependent on the environment and type of economy.

Special attention is paid to topics related to the pile dwellings in the Ljubljansko barje. Students learn the basics of dendrochronology, palynology, and archaeozoology.

During graduate study, students are introduced to research work in practice.

Methodology of archaeological research on sites and colonization in archaeological periods:

• History of research
• Methodology
• Dendrochronology
• Palynology
• Archaeozoology

Readings

• Toškan, B., K. F. Achino in A. Velušček ur. 2020. Depicting the past of Balkan and Apennine peninsulas between Neolithic and Bronze Age: artefacts and ecofacts as means of functional differentiation and social stratification. Quaternary international 539.
• Andrič, M., Tolar, T. in B. Toškan. 2016. Okoljska arheologija in paleoekologija: palinologija, arheobotanika in arheozoologija. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC.
• Miracle, P. T. in S. Forenbaher ur. 2006. Prehistoric herders of northern Istria. The archaeology of Pupićina Cave. Vol. 1. Monografije i katalozi 14. Pula.
• Velušček, A. ur. 2006. Resnikov prekop, najstarejša koliščarska naselbina na Ljubljanskem barju. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC.
• Menotti, F. ur. 2004. Living on the lake in prehistoric Europe: 150 years of lake-dwelling research. London, New York.
• Turk, I. ur. 2004. Viktorjev spodmol in Mala Triglavca: prispevki k poznavanju mezolitskega obdobja v Sloveniji. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC.
• Velušček, A. ur. 2004. Hočevarica: eneolitsko kolišče na Ljubljanskem barju. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC.
• Reitz, E. J. in E. S. Wing. 1999. Zooarchaeology. Cambridge manuals in archaeology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Schweingruber, F. H. 1992. Baum und Holz in der Dendrochronologie. Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft. Birmensdorf.
• Moore, P. D., Webb, J. A. in M. E. Collinson. 1991. Pollen analysis (Second edition). Oxford: Blackwell Science.
• Velušček, A. 2013. Datiranje arheološkega najdišča Maharski prekop na Ljubljanskem barju = Dating of the archaeological site Maharski prekop at the Ljubljansko barje. Arheološki vestnik 64, str. 367-396.

Objectives and competences:

This course offers a unique opportunity to fully understand man, his activities, and his environment in the past. In Slovenia this type of a research approach is developing mainly in investigations of Paleolithic cave sites and the pile dwellings in the Ljubljansko barje (Ger. das Laibacher Moor).

The basic aim of this course is to ensure the highest quality learning at the graduate level, based mainly on the results of interdisciplinary studies of the Ljubljansko barje pile dwellings.

Intended learning outcomes:

Scientific article.

Learning and teaching methods:

Types of learning/teaching:

• Independent students work
• e-learning

Teaching methods:

• Conversation/discussion/debate
• Case studies

Assessment

• Long written assignment (70 %),
• presentation (20 %),
• final examination (written/oral) (10 %).