On this course we consider the origin, spread and characteristics of modern hunting and gathering populations from their earliest emergence over a hundred thousand years ago. We particularly focus on how we can use insights from ethnographically documented foraging societies to contribute to key archaeological debates about populations living in Ice Age Europe (the Upper Palaeolithic). We consider topics such as the motivations underlying colonisation, the maintenance of egalitarianism and regional social connections, explanations for violence and feuding, relationships with animals and the meaning behind upper Palaeolithic art.
Occurrence | Teaching cycle |
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A | Spring Term 2022-23 |
to overview the origins and spread of modern human hunter-gatherers
to consider key characteristics defining the lifestyles of hunter-gatherers, with a particular focus on hunter-gatherer societies in Ice Age europe (the European Upper Palaeolithic)
Have a good understanding of origins and key characteristics of hunter-gatherer societies
Have developed a critical awareness of approaches to hunter-gatherer societies
Be familiar with archaeological evidence from the European Upper Palaeolithic (Ice Age Europe)
Be able to use ethnographic analogies to gain new insights into key debates within Upper Palaeolithic archaeology
Have developed their writing skills through assessed essays
Have presented their research through seminar presentations
We first outline the emergence and spread of modern hunting and gathering populations from their origins in Africa over 100,000 years ago. We then consider key traits of hunting and gathering societies before considering the archaeological evidence for hunter-gatherers living in Ice Age Europe (the Upper Palaeolithic). We critically discuss key debates including the meaning of upper palaeolithic art, the domestication of wolves, the maintenance of egalitarianism and the significance of regional social connections. We consider how novel ethnographic analogies can contribute to these debates.
Task | Length | % of module mark |
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Essay/coursework Essay - 3500 words |
N/A | 100 |
None
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Essay/coursework Essay - 3500 words |
N/A | 100 |
Feedback will be available within 6 weeks
Cummings, V. (2014) Introduction: Can the study of modern Hunter gatherers help us understand the past? In V. Cummings The anthropology of Hunter gatherers: Key themes for archaeologists. Bloomsbury academic (e-book)
Pettitt, P. (2018) The rise of modern humans (chapter four) in C. Scarre The Human Past: World Prehistory and the Development of Human Societies, Thames and Hudson, pages 137-147
Pettitt, P. The European Upper Palaeolithic in Cummings, V et al (2014) The Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology and Anthropology of Hunter-Gatherers, Oxford University Press.