This course in an introduction to the archaeology of ancient Persia, the modern country of Iran, from the time of the earliest inhabitants in the Paleolithic period, to the end of the Sasanian period and the arrival of Islam (ca. 10,000 BCE-651 CE). Though little work was published on the archaeology of Iran in English after the 1979 Revolution, recent archaeological studies and archaeological excavations during the last ten to fifteen years have brought new information to light. This is a cultural, rather than historical class, and we will emphasize cultural change over time, rather than political and historical events. Together, we will analyze how archaeology can inform us about our cultural past, and what remains to still be discovered in this important region.
The course is split into three sections: (I) The Pre-Urban World, (II) The Establishment of Urbanism and Empire, and (III) Persia in the Global Context, covering roughly the three large cultural time periods in ancient Iran and the greater Near Eastern world.
Each section will have at least one spotlight on an important archaeological site. Students are expected to complete all assigned readings and come prepared for a discussion regarding the archaeological site. Specific research and discussion questions will be uploaded onto the course Canvas site a week before these classes. These will be special classes on archaeological practice in the 20th and 21st centuries in Iran and in archaeology in general.
Students are responsible for all assigned readings, in-class discussion, a one-minute essay during each class, one in-class map quiz, one in-class midterm, a short report on an Iranian archaeological site of the student’s choice, and a final exam.