090106 KU Monastic material culture (2018S)

The practical course on Late Antique, Byzantine and Early Islamic pottery discovered during the excavations of the Monastic complex on Mount Nebo will be studied during the summer course that will be held in Jordan.
The main aims of the course are to introduce students to the study of the material culture of a flourishing monastic settlement, to improve their skills in artifacts identification with analysis of forms, fabrics and decoration. This will include insights to the stratigraphic context of the discovery, drawing of pottery forms and accurate parallels with similar chronological contexts coming from the excavation of other nearby sites. Through their discoveries, students can learn about the history and culture of ancient societies, how a monastery functioned in the Byzantine period.
Taking a summer course in pottery can be beneficial for students as they improve their skills in research, critical thinking, and data acquisition. The course is especially appropriate for who would like to gather intense experience with practical archaeological work: mainly technical documentation (drawing & photography), filling of context sheets and inventory cards, pottery reading and statistics.
These skills may help students in their future career enhancing research abilities.
The Monastery of Mount Nebo is one of the most important sites in Jordan, it is mentioned in pilgrim accounts and sources since the 4th century. It is composed of a large church flanked by chapels all decorated with mosaics dated to the 6th and to the 7th century AD. The worship structure is set within a large monastic buildings and were equipped in the Byzantine period with oil press and other productive facilities. The number of participants this year is limited to 5.