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Chapter 1: Introduction

  • Welcome to the course on pre and proto history in classical archaeology. Instructor: Alessandro Van Seti.

  • Focus: Formation of the city of Rome in relation to prehistory and protohistory.

  • Key Concepts:

    • Megalopolis Genesis: Understanding the long-term urbanization process leading to the development of Rome.

    • Producing Communities: Examining the Latian communities from 6000 to 700 BCE that contributed to urban Rome.

  • Chronological Framework:

    • Starts from ancient periods (Lower, Middle, Upper Paleolithic) leading to the Neolithic phase.

    • Neolithic period: Key transition towards producing communities originating from the Near East to Italy.

    • Copper Age: 3600 BCE - 2200 BCE in Southern Italy, while Central Europe considers it the Late Neolithic.

    • Bronze Age: 2200 BCE - 950 BCE.

    • Iron Age: Concludes with the onset of the historical period around the 8th century BCE with Greek colonization.

  • Geographical Significance:

    • Italy's central location in the Mediterranean influences archaeological connections, particularly the city of Rome situated along the Tiber River.

  • Influential Literature:

    • Fernand Braudel: His work emphasizes the Mediterranean's relevance for historical research.

    • Two significant recent studies:

      • The Corrupting Sea by Houghton & Purcell (2000): A case study-focused view on Mediterranean history spanning 3000 years.

      • The Making of the Middle Sea by Cyprien Brudbanker (2013): Covers Mediterranean history from the Paleolithic to the emergence of the Classical World.

    • Braudel’s definition of geohistory explores human actions within environmental contexts for archaeological research.

Chapter 2: Kinds of History

  • Braudel's Historical Perspectives:

    1. Short-term History: Events and phenomena shaping immediate facts.

    2. Midterm History: Processes of change and transformation reflecting conjunctural trends.

    3. Long-term History: Environmental factors conditioning human behavior stability over time.

  • Importance of Pre and Proto History:

    • Cyprien Brudbanker’s work aligns with the course's timeframe bridging the Paleolithic to Iron Age.

    • Contrasts in historical approach between postmodernist perspectives (Houghton & Purcell) versus Brodilian diversity.

  • Defining History in the Course Context:

    • Exploring the interplay of archaeology and history during prehistorical periods lacking written records.

    • Big History: Encompasses all events; utilizes diverse sources, including archaeology and written documents.

    • Small History: A narrow focus for interpreting detailed historical data, vital for understanding wider narratives.

    • Current trends: Growing archaeological data outpaces historical documents.

Chapter 3: Different Historical Time

  • Anthropology's View:

    • Archaeology serves as a branch of anthropological research for understanding past societies and cultures.

    • Historical perspective encompasses various evolutionary studies:

      1. Historic Studies: Document changes within a specific culture.

      2. Comparative Studies: Explore evolutionary patterns across unrelated cultures, focusing on state formation.

  • Notable Figures:

    • Jared Diamond: Evaluates how environmental factors contributed to historical societal development in Guns, Germs, and Steel.

  • Focus of the Course:

    • Historic analysis of changes within the Italian Peninsula, particularly Rome's emergence.

  • Concept of Path Dependence:

    • Examining how prior cultural paths influence behavioral outcomes and societal changes towards urbanity.

Chapter 4: Time to Rome

  • Central Italian Geography:

    • Overview of Italy’s ecological areas and their implications for Rome's early urbanization.

  • Growth and Transition:

    • From a small 30 hectares settlement in the early phases around the 11th century BCE to the vast urban expanse of 1400 hectares by the 3rd century CE.

  • Rome’s Expansion:

    • Process highlights the evolution from local dominance to regional and ultimately imperial power across the Mediterranean.

  • Identifying Protohistoric Elements:

    • Aim: Pinpoint prehistoric and protohistoric factors predating the establishment of the urban state in Rome.

  • Focus Periods Covered:

    • Neolithic: 6100 to 3600 BCE.

    • Copper and Bronze Ages: 3600 to 950 BCE.

    • Early Iron Age: 950 to 700 BCE overlapping with Rome’s legendary founding in 753 BCE.

Chapter 5: Conclusion

  • Future Discussion Topics:

    • Understanding Rome’s sociopolitical organization pre and post-historical documentation.

    • Examining population dynamics and structure from a community perspective.

    • Influence of culture on social behaviors, regulations, and patterns throughout pre and protohistory.

  • Upcoming Lessons:

    • Delve into the works of various archaeologists and their influence on interpreting Rome's origins and archaeological traditions.

    • Aim to detect continuity and complexity leading to Rome’s urban state development in the greater Mediterranean context.

  • Robert Chapman’s Insights:

    • Need for integrating diverse archaeological schools and regional traditions to advance understanding in Italian archaeological prehistory.

  • Overall Goal: Accumulate and analyze existing evidence to refine hypotheses regarding Rome's early urban formation.