Archaeology Courses

No knowledge of Greek or Latin is required for these courses.

A CLA 207/207Z (= A ARH 207/207Z) Egyptian Archaeology (3)
A survey of the remains of ancient Egypt from the earliest times to the Roman Empire. The pyramids, temples, tombs, mummies and works of art will be examined in an attempt to understand the unique character of ancient Egypt. Selections from Egyptian religious and historical texts will be read in translation. Only one version of A CLA 207 may be taken for credit.

A CLA 208/208Z (= A ARH 208/208Z) Greek Archaeology (3)
Survey of the prehistoric and historical cultures of ancient Greece, as revealed by archaeology, from the Neolithic to the Hellenistic era, with emphasis on the evolution of pottery style, painting, sculpture and architecture. Only one version of A CLA 208 may be taken for credit.

A CLA 209 (= A ARH 209) Roman Archaeology (3)
Survey of the monuments of ancient Rome and her empire in a cultural and evolutionary context, including major works of sculpture, wall painting and architecture. Roman towns and principles of town planning also studied. Translated selections from Roman literary and historical sources.

A CLA 240 (= A JST 240) Archaeology and Ancient Israel I: Archaeology and the Bible (2)
Important discoveries related to biblical history and literature. Examination of sites, artifacts, texts and scripts from the Bronze Age to the Babylonian exile. Only one version of A CLA 240 may be taken for credit.

A CLA 241 (= A JST 241) Archaeology and Ancient Israel II: Greco-Roman Period (2)
Important discoveries related to postbiblical Jewish life and history. Examination of relevant papyri, the Dead Sea Scrolls, coins, Masada, Jerusalem, burial caves, synagogue art and other topics. Only one version of A CLA 241 may be taken for credit.

A CLA 250/H Roman Imperialism and the Defense of the Roman Empire (3)
A study of Roman imperialism as manifested in the acquisition and maintenance of a geographically extensive, multi-ethnic Mediterranean empire which endured for more than 500 years. As an introduction to Roman culture, Roman imperialism will be studied through a regional examination of the historical data and archaeological remains pertaining to the Roman provincial capital and legionary base at Viminacium on the northern frontier of the empire. The course is intended to provide an introduction to the study of ancient history and Roman civilization through the analysis of primary texts and archaeological evidence.

A CLA 301 (= A ARH 301) Aegean Prehistory (3)
Archaeology of the Aegean area from Paleolithic times to the end of the Bronze Age, with emphasis on Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece. Only one version of A CLA 301 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A CLA 208. May not be offered in 2009-2010.

A CLA 302 (= A ARH 302) Villanovans, Etruscans, and Early Rome (3)
Archaeology of the Etruscans and of early Rome in the context of the Iron Age cultures of the Italian peninsula. Only one version of A CLA 302 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A CLA 209, or A CLC 134, or junior or senior class standing. May not be offered in 2009-2010.

A CLA 303/303Z (= A ARH 303/303Z) Early Christian Art and Architecture (3)
An examination of early Christian art and architecture from their beginnings in the 3rd century to the death of Justinian in 565. Architecture, painting, mosaic and the minor arts are examined in their historical setting. Only one verion of A CLA 303 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A CLA 209, or A CLC 134, or A ARH 170.

A CLA 305 (= A ANT 305; formerly A CLA 290) Archaeological Graphic Documentation (3)
This course teaches how to graphically record a typical range of archaeological artifacts, including ground and chipped stone tools, pottery, metal and clay figurines from UAlbany's New and Old World collections. Emphasis will be placed on the professional standards of artifact illustration for publication in journals and monographs. Students will learn how to scan, reduce and position individual drawings in order to produce a publishable end product. Only one version of A CLA 305 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor.

A CLA 310 (= A ANT 336 & A ARH 310) Art and Archaeology of Cyprus I (3)
An examination or the material culture (art, archaeology, and architecture), settlement patterns and changing environmental setting of successive cultures of the east Mediterranean island of Cyprus from the first human occupation to the Roman period (10,000 B.C.E. to 50 B.C.E.) The island’s role as a major point of contact between Near Eastern and Western Mediterranean civilizations will be emphasized. Only one version of A CLA 310 may be taken for credit.

A CLA 311 (= A ANT 337 & A ARH 311) Art and Archaeology of Cyprus ll (3)
An examination of the material culture (art, archaeology, and architecture) and history of the island of Cyprus from the Roman period through its recently won independence in 1960 and up to the present. Byzantine church painting, Gothic ecclesiastical and military architecture, the Venetian preparations for an Ottoman invasion emphasize the significance of this Christian enclave in the Moslem east under Latin, Venetian, Ottoman, and British colonial rule. Finally, the strategic importance of Cyprus during the Cold War still continues to affect its history. Only one version of A CLA 311 may be taken for credit.

A CLA 329 (formerly A CLA 338) Archaeological Field Research (2–6)
Supervised participation in the excavation of approved Old World prehistoric, classical or medieval sites. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior standing and permission of the department chair.

A CLA 401 (formerly A CLA 402) (= A ARH 401) Greek Sculpture (3)
Study of selected sculptural monuments from the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic eras, considered in relation to their historical, intellectual and religious context. Prerequisite(s): A CLA 208.

A CLA 402 (formerly A CLA 412) (= A ARH 402) Roman Sculpture (3)
Selected monuments representing the historical development of Roman sculpture in its social and religious context from the early Republic to the time of the emperor Constantine. Prerequisite(s): A CLA 208 or 209 or A ARH 170.

A CLA 403 (formerly A CLA 432) (= A ARH 403) Greek Painting (3)
A survey of ancient Greek painting from the beginnings about 1000 B.C. through the Hellenistic age; primarily painted vases, but also including the limited evidence that exists for wall painting and other forms. Prerequisite(s): A CLA 208.

A CLA 405 (formerly A CLA 460) (= A ARH 405) Greek Architecture (3)
The development of Greek monumental architecture from the earliest temples through the Hellenistic Age. Prerequisite(s): A CLA 208.

A CLA 406 (formerly A CLA 461) (= A ARH 406) Roman Architecture and Town Planning (3)
The development of Roman public and private architecture, with emphasis on its urban setting and function, and the evolution of Roman towns in Italy and the Empire from the early Republic to the time of the emperor Constantine.
Prerequisite(s): A CLA 208 or 209 or A ARH 170.

A CLA 490 (= A ANT 490) Internship in Archaeological Conservation and Documentation (3–15)
Supervised placement in an agency engaged in conservation and documentation of archaeological artifacts, such as the New York State Museum or State Conservation Laboratory. Provides practical experience and cannot be counted among the 9 elective credits above the 300-level required for Mediterranean archaeology majors. Anthropology majors may use up to 3 credits toward major elective credit. May be taken by majors in Greek and Roman civilization and anthropology only. Internships are open only to qualified juniors and seniors who have an overall grade point average of 2.50 or higher. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor. S/U graded.

A CLA 497 (2-4) Independent Study
Seniors may offer 2 to 4 credits of independent study in place of regular course work in classical archaeology. Projects must be approved by the department chair. May be repeated once for credit.