About Program
Department of Protohistory and Near Eastern Archaeology covers the time interval starting with the Neolithic Period, where the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to a sedentary life occurs at ca. 10,000 BC, followed by Chalcolithic Period (5,500-3,000 BC), Bronze Ages (3,000-1,200 BC) then until the end of the Iron Age (1,200-500 BC). The main interest on this chronological frame are the civilizations flourished within a wider context of Near Eastern geography and neighbouring regions (Mesopotamia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Palestinian, Mainland Greece and Aegean Islands, Cyprus, Balkans, Caucasus and Egypt), with a special interest on Anatolian cultures. Two most significant milestones of early human history, namely the transition to sedentary communities and the invention of writing fall within the coverage of the department. In the light of the archaeological materials Near Eastern cultures are examined systematically in a comparative manner supported by written sources of ancient civilizations.
Goals
The aim of this program is to train students with an outstanding knowledge on the cultural, political and social developments of past societies. By completing the program, students are expected to gain creative and analytical skills and effective use of information technologies and the theoretical background to act accordingly with scientific and ethical principles of this field. After successfully completing the program, students will be able to work in academic institutions and/or museums.
Summary of Program Outcomes
Graduates are able to define and use of the basic concepts of archeology. Use scientific methods of archeology. Date and evaluate the archeological materials by style analysis and other comparative techniques. Learn the basic principles of stratigraphy and evaluate individual structures by defining their chronological sequences. Learn the scientific methods used in dating of archaeological materials.