Home LinkAdd to FavouritesEmail Us

ARP3003 - Ritual, Space and Monuments in later European prehistory

 


Stonehenge

 


Brochtorff Circle, Gozo Malta -figurine PAIR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Module description

This module explores the phenomenon of monuments, art and landscapes in later prehistory, and the nature of ritual and religion in archaeology. The development and creation of ritual space (from domestic houses, elaborate burial monuments, rock and figurative art and monumentalising architecture to entire landscapes) has resulted in some of the most intriguing and tangible traces of Neolithic-Bronze Age society and its concerns with religion and cosmology.

The module examines how architectural structures and figurative art may reflect aspects of early religious activity and ritual practice, and questions the motivation behind creativity in increasingly complex societies. Anthropological models, shamanism and current ideas about human cognition, memory, agency, identity and culture, as well as approaches such as phenomenology and cognitive archaeology form a core element, developing the student’s understanding of issues in archaeological interpretation. Past and current approaches to monument studies are closely linked with archaeological method and theory, and students will be able to engage with different regional, chronological and cultural traditions, setting early art and architecture into the wider historical debate.

The module includes an overview of monument studies in Later European Prehistory (Neolithic – Bronze Age - enclosures, henges, tombs, stone circles and monumental landscapes) which enables students to examine a range of archaeological contexts and cultures, using case studies from Ireland, Britain, and Europe. A field trip forms one aspect of the course.


Module Objectives

  • An understanding of the history and background of monument studies in prehistoric Archaeology in Europe
  • Knowledge of the architecture and typology of megalithic structures, and other field monuments and landscapes in Europe and the chronological and cultural issues relating to them
  • Understanding of current approaches and methods for the study of ritual and religion in archaeology, including anthropological and art historical approaches An appreciation of European later prehistoric art, its development, forms, and approaches to its systematic study and interpretation
  • A knowledge of complex prehistoric social structures and the role of ritual and religion in Europe

Lecturer

Dr Caroline Malone


Assessment

 Seminar Presentations
30%
 Written Assignments
40%
 2 hour Exam
30%


Skills Taught

The module will enable you to acquire or enhance skills in:

  • Identification, recording and interpretation of material culture, monuments and ritual landscapes
  • Critical analysis of primary and secondary archaeological data, site plans and landscapes
  • Critical understanding of theory and method relating to monument, landscape and ritual studies
  • Understanding of current anthropological and social theory relating to ritual and religion and art
  • Research methods and organisation
  • Report and essay writing Seminar presentation and verbal communication Teamwork

 

Key reading

Bradley, R. 1998 The significance of Monuments. Routledge, London
Bradley, R. 1997 Rock art and the prehistory of Atlantic Europe. Routledge, London
Scarre, C. 2002 Monuments and Landscape in Atlantic Europe. Routledge, London
Tilley, C. 2004 The Materiality of Stone: explorations in landscape phenomenology. Berg, Oxford.