The earliest civilizations on earth were found in such diverse settings as Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley of Pakistan, China, Mexico and Central America, and Andean South America. These civilizations had huge cities’ powerful rulers, fascinating religious beliefs, and elaborate temples and palaces. In this course, we will study the archaeology of the origins of these ancient civilizations beginning with the end of the Ice Age about 10,000 years ago. We will examine the lives of the ancient people of these civilizations through the stiudy of their archaeological sites, artifacts, art, architecture, and writing. We explore some of the amazing discoveries from these early states: the Pyramid of the Sun at the ancient Mexican city of Teotihuacan, the tomb of the Maya ruler Pacal, the walls of Jericho, the Royal Cemetery at Ur, the Pyramids of Giza, and the great roadways of the Inca Empire.
Professor Arthur Joyce
See the University Catalog for specifics, recommendations, and prerequisites.