ANTH 323
Prof. Cemal Pulak
Nautical Archaeology Program, Department of Anthropology
Office hours: TR 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Location: Anthropology Building 128A
Email: pulak@tamu.edu
Phone: 845‐6697 (office) /845‐5242 (department)
Course Description
This is a lecture-format survey course that explores the art and archaeology of seafaring in the ancient Mediterranean from the Stone Age through the Roman Empire, as well as briefly touching on the social, cultural, political, and economic aspects of the region. The course offers students an opportunity to explore some of the most exciting aspects of ancient Mediterranean maritime cultures and examines engaging topics, including the earliest evidence for boats and seafaring, Egyptian navigation on the Nile and in the Red Sea, the elusive Etruscans, the Phoenician and Greek colonization of the Central and Western Mediterranean, the centuries-long Roman domination of the Mediterranean, and developments in ship design and archaeological shipwreck discoveries. The course draws upon a wide array of evidence from archaeological sites on land and under water, as well as on ancient techniques and technology. There is no textbook for the course, so attendance and completion of recommended readings is essential.
Course Prerequisites
None
Course Objectives
- To provide an extensive survey on the nautical archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean
- To become familiar with the history and ancient cultures of the Mediterranean
- To evaluate the significance of ancient seafaring, trade, and Mediterranean civilizations
- To develop a critical approach to nautical archaeology in general
Course Structure:
The format of the course is based upon weekly lectures, illustrated with digital images and the occasional supplementary video. There will be two exams and a final exam (not cumulative). The format of the exams will include multiple choice and short answer questions. The material will build upon and draw from terminology and content presented in earlier lectures and readings.
Recommended Readings
There are no required readings; however, students are encouraged to read the following suggested books:
- Bass, G. 1972. A History of Seafaring Based on Underwater Archaeology. New York: Walker.
- ______. 1966. Archaeology Under Water. New York: Praeger.
- Casson, L. 1991 [1959]. The Ancient Mariners. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
- ______. 1971. Ships and Seamanship in the Ancient World. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
- Wachsmann, S. 1998. Seagoing Ships and Seamanship in the Bronze Age Levant. College Station: Texas A&M University Press.
Examination
There will be two hourly exams and one non-cumulative final exam. The format of the exams consists of multiple-choice questions. Be aware that, as the semester progresses, material will build upon and draw from terminology and content presented in earlier lectures. Practice questions will be posted on e-Campus at: https://ecampus.tamu.edu
Basis for Evaluation (Grading Policies)
The final grade will be calculated according to the following formula and based on a 100point scale.
The final course grade will be based on the criteria described below:
A=90‐100 points, B=80‐89 points, C=70‐79 points, D=60‐69 points, F=59 points and below
| Examination 1 | 100 points | 33% of final grade |
| Examination 2 | 100 points | 33% of final grade |
| Final Examination | 100 points | 34% of final grade |
ALL COURSES
- ANTH 313 – Historical Archaeology
- ANTH 316 – Nautical Archaeology
- ANTH 317 – Introduction To Biblical Archaeology
- ANTH 318 – Nautical Archaeology of the Americas
- ANTH 323 – Nautical Archaeology Of The Ancient Mediterranean
- ANTH 353 – Archaeology Of Ancient Greece
- ANTH 354 – Archaeology of Ancient Italy
- ANTH 402 – Archaeological Artifact Conservation
- ANTH 417 – Naval Warfare & Warships In Ancient Greece And Rome
- ANTH 418 – Romans, Arabs, and Vikings
- ANTH 420 – History and Archaeology of Pirates, Privateers, and Sea Raiders
- ANTH 436 – Ancient Egypt
- ANTH 438 – Ancient Egypt II
- ANTH 464-664 – Cultural Heritage and Resource Management
- ANTH 603 – Seafaring Life and Maritime Communities 1450-1950
- ANTH 605 – Conservation of Archaeological Materials I
- ANTH 606 – Conservation of Archaeological Materials II
- ANTH 608 – Skills in Maritime Archaeology
- ANTH 610 – Outfitting And Sailing The Wooden Ship 1400-1900
- ANTH 611 – Introduction To Nautical Archaeology
- ANTH 612 – Preclassical Seafaring
- ANTH 613 – Classical Seafaring
- ANTH 615 – History Of Wooden Shipbuilding Technology
- ANTH 616 – Research and Reconstruction of Ships
- ANTH 617 – Conservation of Archaeological Materials III
- ANTH 628 – New World Seafaring Anthropology
- ANTH 629 – Post-Medieval Seafaring Anthropology
- ANTH 663 – Analytical Methods in Archaeology and Conservation
- ANTH 685 – Archaeological Diving: Skills and Methods
Course Schedule
(The schedule is a subject to change, revisions, and refinements which will be posted)
| Week 1 |
Course Introduction |
| Week 2 |
Earliest Evidence of Seafaring and Boats – Part 1 |
| Week 3 |
Early Dynastic Egyptian Seafaring |
| Week 4 |
Old Kingdom Egyptian Seafaring – The Tomb of Ti |
| Week 5 |
Egyptian Nilotic and Seagoing Ships in the Middle Kingdom |
| Week 6 |
Examination 1 Late Bronze Age Ships and Seafaring in the Eastern Mediterranean |
| Week 7 |
New Kingdom Egypt: Queen Hatshepsut’s Expedition to Punt |
| Week 8 |
New Kingdom Egypt: Ramses III’s Naval Battle against the Sea Peoples |
| Week 9 | Spring Break (No Classes) |
| Week 10 |
The World’s Oldest Shipwreck Uluburun (1320 B.C.) – The Cargo |
| Week 11 |
Lords of the Sea: Phoenicians, Greeks, and Etruscans |
| Week 12 |
Greek Shipwrecks of the Western Mediterranean |
| Week 13 |
Bronze Age Warships and the Penteconter |
| Week 14 |
Hellenistic Giant Warships and Galley Rams Trade and Economy in the Roman Empire |
| Week 15 |
Roman Merchantmen |
| Week 16 |
Final Examination |
