Prerequisites

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

Content (Syllabus outline)

Students become acquainted with the main topics of Neolithic and Eneolithic research in central Slovenia. The central part of Slovenia was settled relatively late in the first half of the fifth millennium BC by the first farmers, potters, and probably prospectors for copper minerals. The area was then occupied in the fourth and third millennia BC. It is assumed there was no continuity of settlement. The periods of occupation were highly dependent on climatic conditions and other events.

This course acquaints students with some aspects of the colonization of Slovenia and neighbouring lands. Special attention is paid to research on economic opportunities and activities in Neolithic and Eneolithic society. Students are introduced to research work in practice. Work with archaeological artefacts (pottery, copper objects, etc.) is planned.

1. The Neolithic and Eneolithic periods in central Slovenia:

• History of research
• Archaeological sources
• Settlement pattern
• Chronometry
• Relative chronology
• Absolute chronology
• Comparative studies

2. Economic activities in the Neolithic and Eneolithic periods:

• History of research
• Archaeological sources
• Wetland archaeology

Readings

• Velušček, A. 2017. Kronološki odnos med lasinjsko kulturo in kulturo keramike z brazdastim vrezom v severovzhodni Sloveniji. Arheološki vestnik 68: 9-84.
• Bernardini, F., A. De Min, D. Lenaz, Z. Kasztovszky, P. Turk, A. Velušček, C. Tuniz in E. Montagnari Kokelj 2014. Petrographic and geochemical comparison between the Copper Age “Ljubljana type” axes and similar lithotypes from Eisenkappler Diabaszug complex (southern Austria). Journal of archaeological science 41: 511-522.
• Turk, M., Velušček, A., P. Pavlin, S. Tecco Hvala, L. Grahek, J. Horvat, M. Šašel Kos, Z. Modrijan in A. Pleterski 2020. The history of Slovenia: archaeological evidence from prehistory to the Slavs. V: The geography of Slovenia: small but diverse. Springer Nature -World regional geography book series: 127-141. Cham.
• Velušček, A. 2014. Absolutna kronologija slovenskega neo- in eneolitika: prispevek za razpravo. V: Absolutno datiranje bronaste in železne dobe na Slovenskem. Katalogi in monografije 40: 629-644.
• 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.
• Čufar, K., Tegel, W., Merela, M., Kromer, B., Velušček, A. 2015. Eneolithic pile dwellings south of the Alps precisely dated with tree-ring chronologies from the north. Dendrochronologia 35/ 1, str. 91-98.
• Gaspari, A. ur. 2006. Zalog pri Verdu, tabor kamenodobnih lovcev na zahodnem robu Ljubljanskega barja. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC.
• 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.
• Velušček, A. ur. 2004. Hočevarica – eneolitsko kolišče na Ljubljanskem barju. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC.
• Velušček, A. 2004. Past and present lake-dwelling studies in Slovenia: Ljubljansko barje (the Ljubljana Marsh). V: Menotti, F. ur. Living on the lake in prehistoric Europe: 150 years of lake–dwelling research. London, New York: 69-82.
• Čufar, K. in A. Velušček 2002. Dendrokronološke raziskave kolišč na Ljubljanskem barju – stanje 2001. Arheološki vestnik 53, 59-67.
• Velušček, A. 1999. Neolithic and Eneolithic Investigations in Slovenia. Arheološki vestnik 50, 59-79.
• Korošec, P. in J. Korošec 1969. Najdbe s koliščarskih naselbin pri Igu na Ljubljanskem barju. Arheološki katalogi Slovenije 3. Ljubljana.
• 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

During the fifth millennium BC, Neolithic people settled lakeshores in central Europe by creating a special type of a settlement known as pile dwellings. The first pile dwellers appeared in the Ljubljansko barje (Ger. das Laibacher Moor) in the second quarter of the fifth millennium BC. They introduced pottery, agriculture, and animal husbandry. The last documented pile dwelling in the area is dated to the first half of the second millennium BC. The basic aim of this course is to ensure the highest quality learning at the graduate level. Special attention is paid to research on the Neolithic and Eneolithic periods in Slovenia.

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 %).