From Prehistoric Villages to Early States: The Chalcolithic Period in the Ancient Near East

Prof. Susan Pollock, Institut für Vorderasiatische Archäologie, Freie Universität Berlin and
Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University (New York)



Monday, 4 March       Lecture (8.20-10.45)

Topic 1: Ubaid period: culture-historical overview

Topic 2: Ubaid period: politically and socially egalitarian or hierarchical?


Seminar (11.40-14.05)

general discussion



Tuesday, 5 March       Lecture (8.20-10.45)

Topic 2 (continued): Ubaid period: politically and socially egalitarian or hierarchical?

Topic 3: Ubaid period: localized economies and inter-regional interactions


Seminar (11.40-14.05)

presentations on Topic 2



Wednesday, 6 March  Lecture (8.20-10.45)

Topic 3 (continued): Ubaid period: localized economies and inter-regional interactions

Topic 4: Uruk period: culture-historical overview


Seminar (11.40-14.05)

presentations on Topic 3; summary of Ubaid period



Thursday, 7 March      Lecture (8.20-10.45)

Topic 5: Uruk period: tributary economies, specialization, and the growth of dependent labor


Seminar (11.40-14.05)

presentations on Topic 5




Monday, 11 March     Lecture (10.00-12.25)

Topic 6: Uruk period: ‘Uruk expansion’ and long-distance exchange

Topic 7: Recording, accounting, and the invention of writing


Seminar (11.40-14.05)

presentations on Topics 6-7



Tuesday, 12 March     Lecture (8:20 – 10:45)

Topic 7 (continued): Recording, accounting, and the invention of writing


Seminar (11.40-14.05)

presentations on Topic 7; summary of Uruk period



Wed., 13 March          Lecture (8:20 – 10:45)

Topic 8: Chalcolithic in the Levant: culture-historical overview

                                    Topic 9: Chalcolithic in the Levant: growth of metallurgy

                                    Topic 10: Chalcolithic in the Levant: cult, sanctuaries, and
hoards

Seminar (11.40-14.05)

presentations on Topics 9-10



Thursday, 14 March    Lecture (8:20 – 10:45)

Topic 11: Representation of people in durable media: figurines, stelae, and seals

                                    Topic 12: Food and commensality


Seminar (11.40-14.05)

presentations on Topics 11-12; final discussion