Winter 2026
Meeting:
TTh 1:30pm - 3:20pm
SLN:
10428
Section Type:
Lecture
Joint Sections:
MELC 207 A
Syllabus Description (from Canvas):
Week 1: Introduction to the Course; Geography and History
January 6: Introduction and Geography of Iran/Persia
Blank Map of Iran for Practice
No Required Readings for Today
Optional Readings:
- D. Jones (2013) The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran, D.T. Potts ed., (Oxford University Press) “Key Questions Regarding the Paleo-Environment of Iran”
- R. Matthews, H.F. Nashli (2022) The Archaeology of Iran from the Palaeolithic to the Achaemenid Empire, (Routledge World Archaeology) Ch. 2, "Placing Iran: Land, Environment and Ecology" pages 6-21
- T. Potts (2016) The Archaeology of Elam” “Environment, Climate and Resources” pages 14-46
January 8: History of Archaeology in Persia and Iran
Discussion: What were the reasons for the rise of archaeological study and excavations in Iran and the Middle East in the 19th and 20th centuries?
Required Readings:
Optional Readings
- Harrison (2010) “Reinventing Achaemenid Persia” in The World of Achaemenid Persia, J. Curtis and S. Simpson, eds., pages 21-32
- G. Majd (2003) The Great American Plunder of Persia’s Antiquities 1925-1941, “Introduction” pages 1-28
- Mousavi (2013) The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran, T. Potts ed., (Oxford University Press) “The History of Archaeological Research in Iran: A Brief Survey”
Week 2: The Prehistoric Period
January 13: The Paleolithic Period
Map Quiz at the Start of Class
Discussion: What unique information does the study of Paleolithic Iran give us about the rise of hominid and human cultures?
Required Readings:
Optional Readings:
- J. Conrad, E. Ghasidian, S. Heydari-Guran (2013) The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran, D.T. Potts ed., (Oxford University Press) “The Paleolithic of Iran”
- Otte, F. Biglari, J. Jaubert Iran Paleolithic, International Union of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences
January 15: Class Canceled
Week 3: Neolithic Iran
January 20: The Neolithic Revolution
Discussion: What is the so-called “Neolithic Revolution” and what was Iran’s place in it?
Required Readings:
Optional Readings
- Alizadeh (2003) Excavations at the Prehistoric Mound of Chogha Bonut, Khuzestan, Iran, Seasons 1976/77, 1977/78, and 1996 [Oriental Institute Publications 12], “Preface” and “Introduction” pages 1-12
- R. Matthews, H.F. Nashli (2022) The Archaeology of Iran from the Palaeolithic to the Achaemenid Empire, (Routledge World Archaeology) Ch. 5 "Domesticating Iran: The Neolithic Period, 10,000-5200 BC" pages 54-110.
- R. Weeks (2013) The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran, D.T. Potts ed., (Oxford University Press) “The Development and Expansion of a Neolithic Way of Life”
- Young and H.F. Nashli (2013) “Animals and People in the Neolithisation of Iran.” In R. Matthews and H..F. Nashli (eds) The Neolithisation of Iran: The Formation of New Societies, Oxbow Books, pages 178-188
January 22: Archaeological Spotlight: Sheikh-e Abad
In-class graded group work
See the Assignment Page for Discussion Questions to Consider
Research Questions for In-Class Assignment
Required Readings:
Week 4: The Rise of Elam and Susa
January 27: Bronze Age Iran and the Rise of Elam
Discussion: How does Bronze Age Iran differ from the Neolithic era?
Required Readings:
Optional Readings:
- Álverez-Mon (2012) A Companion to the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (Wiley Blackwell), D.T. Potts, ed., “Elam: Iran’s First Empire” pages 740-757
- R. Matthews, H.F. Nashli (2022) The Archaeology of Iran from the Palaeolithic to the Achaemenid Empire, (Routledge World Archaeology) Ch. 8 "People on the move: prehistoric networks of Bronze Age Iran, 3400-1100 BC)" pages 236-285
- T. Potts (2016) The Archaeology of Elam: Formation and Transformation of an Ancient Iranian State (Cambridge World Archaeology), Chapter 1 “Elam, What, When, Where?’ pages 1-13 and “The Kingdom of Susa and Anshan” pages 176-197
- Steinkeller, P. "The Birth of Elam in History" in The Elamite World, edited by Javier Álvarez-Mon, Gian Pietro Basello, Yasmina Wicks, Routledge, pages 177-202.
- G. Summers (2013) The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran, D.T. Potts ed., (Oxford University Press) "The Early Bronze Age in Northwestern Iran"
- C.P. Thornton (2013) The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran, D.T. Potts ed., (Oxford University Press) "The Early Bronze Age in Northeastern Iran"
- D.T. Potts (2013) The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran, D.T. Potts ed., (Oxford University Press) Luristan and the Central Zagros in the Bronze Age"
- J. Alvarez-Mon (2013) The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran, D.T. Potts ed., (Oxford University Press) "Khuzestan in the Bronze Age"
- B. McCall (2013) The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran, D.T. Potts ed., (Oxford University Press) "Bronze Age Fars"
January 29: Elam from the Global Perspective
Discussion Question: What role did Elam and the Elamite empire have in the greater Middle Eastern and Indus Valley cultural spheres?
Required Readings:
Optional Readings:
- McCall (2013) “Re-Assessing Elamite Highland Boundaries: New Evidence for the Middle and Neo-Elamite Periods in the Mamasani Valleys, South-Western Iran” In K.D. Gaef, J. Tavernier (eds.) Susa and Elam: Archaeological, Philological, Historical and Geographical Perspective: Proceedings of the International Congress Held at Ghent University, December 14-17, 2009, Brill. Pages 191-205
- Bryce 2003 Letters of the Great Kings of the Ancient Near East, “The Interaction of the Players: Imperial Administration and International Relationships” pages 38-49 and “The Club of Royal Brothers” pages 70-88
Week 5: Susa
February 3: Archaeological Spotlight: Susa
In-class graded group work
See the Assignment Page for Discussion Questions to Consider
Required Readings:
- Thone 1930 “Susa: Oldest City on Earth, Tells About Early Culture” The Science News-Letter, 18:505, pages 374-375+382
- P. Peters 1915 “Excavations in Persia” The Harvard Theological Review 8:1, pages 82- 93
- Scheil 1904 “Excavations Made by the French in Susa and Babylonia, 1902-1903” The Biblical World 24:2, pages 146-152
February 5: In-Class Midterm
Week 6: The Medes
February 10: The Median Period - Who were the Medes?
Discussion: What are the unique cultural attributes of the Median period?
Required Readings:
Optional Readings
- Genito (1986) “The Medes: A Reassessment of the Archaeological Evidence” East and West 36:1/3, pages 11-81
- Liverani (2003) “The Rise and Fall of Media.” In G.B. Lanfranchi, M. Roaf, R. Rollinger (eds.) Continuity of Empire: Assyria, Media, Persia, History of the Ancient Near East, Monographs V, pages 1-12
- Roaf (2003) “The Median Dark Age” In G.B. Lanfranchi, M. Roaf, R. Rollinger (eds.) Continuity of Empire: Assyria, Media, Persia, History of the Ancient Near East, Monographs V, pages 13-22
February 12: The Origins of the Achaemenid Period
Discussion Question: What cultural and political circumstances allowed the Achaemenid empire to prosper?
Required Readings:
Optional Readings:
- A. Dandamaev and V.G. Lukonin (1989) The Culture and Social Institutions of Ancient Iran. Cambridge University Press. Chapter 2 “The Social Institutions and Economic Structure of the Achaemenid Empire,” pages 90-116 only
- Cutis and N. Spencer (2005) Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia, J. Curtis and N. Tallis, eds. (University of California Press) “The Archaeology of the Achaemenid Period,” pages 30-50
- Waters (2013) The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran, D.T. Potts ed., (Oxford University Press) “Elam, Assyria and Babylonia in the Early First Millennium BC”
Week 7: Achaemenid Culture
February 17: Culture of the Achaemenid Period
Discussion: How did the culture of the Achaemenid people contribute to the power of the empire?
Required Readings:
- Razmjou (2013) Curtis J. & Tallis N. (eds.), Forgotten Empire. The World of Ancient Persia, (British Museum Press) “Religion and Burial Customs” pages 150-180
- Razmjou (2013) Curtis J. & Tallis N. (eds.), Forgotten Empire. The World of Ancient Persia, (British Museum Press) “Transport and Warfare” pages 210-235
Optional Readings:
- G. Kreyenbroek (2010) The World of Achaemenid Persia: The Diversity of Ancient Iran, J. Curtis and S. Simpson eds., (I.B. Taurus) “Zoroastrianism under the Achaemenians: A Non-Essentialist Approach” pages 103-110
- D. Baker (2010) The World of Achaemenid Persia: The Diversity of Ancient Iran, J. Curtis and S. Simpson eds., (I.B. Taurus) “The Social Dimensions of Babylonian Domestic Architecture in the Neo-Babylonian and Achaemenid Periods” pages 179-194
- Nagel (2013) The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran, T. Potts ed., (Oxford University Press) “Color and Gilding in Achaemenid Architecture and Sculpture”
- B. Garrison (2000) “Achaemenid Iconography as Evidenced by Glyptic Art: Subject Matter, Social Function, Audience and Diffusion” In C. Uehlinger (ed) Images as Media: Sources for the Cultural History of the Near Eastern and Mediterranean (1st millennium BCE), pages 115-163
February 19: Class Cancelled
Week 8: Achaemenid Culture and Beyond
February 24: Archaeological Spotlight: Persepolis
In-class graded group work
Required Readings:
- Look over the website Persepolis Reimagined
- Razmjou (2010) The World of Achaemenid Persia: The Diversity of Ancient Iran, J. Curtis and S. Simpson eds., (I.B. Taurus) “Persepolis: A Reinterpretation of Palaces and Their Function.”
- Schmidt, E.F. (1953) Persepolis Vol. 1: Structures, Reliefs, Inscriptions. Read over especially the Preface, and the Summary Log of the Persepolis Expedition, pages 1-6. Look over the rest of the book
February 26: The Rise of the Seleucids
Discussion: Besides political issues, what other cultural aspects contributed to the downfall of the Achaemenid period and the rise of the Seleucid period?
Required Readings:
Optional Readings:
- Callieri and A. Askari-Chaverdi (2013), Media, Khuzestan, and Fars Between the End of the Achaemenids and the Rise of the Sasanians” The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran, D.T. Potts ed., (Oxford University Press)
- Hannestad (2012), “The Seleucid Kingdom” A Companion to the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (Wiley Blackwell), D.T. Potts, ed. pages 984-1000
Week 9: The Arsacids to Sassanids
March 3: Culture in the Arsacid (Parthian) Period
Discussion: What information is still unknown about the archaeology and culture of the Arsacid period?
Required Readings:
March 5: The Sassanids and Pre-Islamic Iran
Discussion: What are the cultural attributes of Iran at the dawn of the Islamic period? How did the culture of the Sassanid period contribute to the rise of Islam?
Required Readings:
- Roaf (1997) The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Persia: New Light on the Parthian and Sasanian Empires, C. Vesta, M. Rodgers, R. Hillenbrand, eds., (St. Martin’s Press) “Persepolitan Echoes in Sasanian Architecture: Did the Sasanians Attempt to Re-create the Achaemenid Empire” pages 1-7
- M. R. Shayegan (2013) The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran, D.T. Potts ed., (Oxford University Press) “Sasanian Political Ideology”
Optional Readings
Week 10: Archaeology in Modern Iran
March 10: Iranian Archaeology in the Modern Day
Discussion: If you could excavate a site in Iran from any time period, what would it be and why?
Required Readings:
- Soward (2014) Excavating an Empire: Achaemenid Persia in Longue Durée, T. Daryaee, A. Mousavi and K. Rezakhani, eds., [Mazda Publications], “Ancient Persia in Cinema” pages 211-233
- P. Yazdi and O. Garazhian (2012) “Archaeology as an Imported Commodity: A Critical Approach to the Position of Archaeology in Iran” Forum Kritische Archaologie 1, pages 24-34
March 12: In-Class Final
March 17: Archaeological Site Report Due by 11:59 pm, via Canvas
Catalog Description:
Introduction to the archaeology of ancient Iran (Persia) from the earliest inhabitants to the end of Sasanian period (circa10,000 BDE-651 CE). Covers the archaeology from various time periods in chronological order, with an emphasis on the archaeology and culture of the Achaemendid (Persian) period. Offered: jointly with MELC 207.
GE Requirements Met:
Social Sciences (SSc)
Credits:
5.0
Status:
Active
Last updated:
January 31, 2026 - 6:49 am