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Art & Archaeology

Archaeology Of The Japanese Archipelago

Course Code:
15PARH005
Status:
Course Not Running This year
Unit value:
0.5
This course provides a survey of the development of societies in the Japanese archipelago from earliest times until the early historic periods. Each session identifies key themes in the archaeology of the period under consideration. Important concepts in Japanese archaeology will be discussed and illustrated with examples from major excavations, and students will be encouraged to adopt a critical attitude to both archaeological and, where appropriate, early historical source materials.

Objectives and learning outcomes of the course

 The course will encourage students to adopt a critical attitude to both archaeological and, where appropriate, early historical source materials.
  • Students will become familiar with approximately 100-150 examples of archaeological artefacts; a slide test near the end of the term will encourage students to review and reinforce their visual memory.
  • The writing assignment gives students an opportunity to use library and online resources to do detailed research on a subject of their choosing.
  • Students will receive guidance in class and in office hours on how to develop a thesis and strengthen the presentation of their arguments in written form.
  • Classroom discussions (non-assessed) on pre-announced topics will encourage students to gain confidence in expressing their thoughts on subjects they have read about outside of class.
  • By the end of the course, students should be equipped with analytical tools and conceptual frameworks that will allow them to pursue their own research interests with greater confidence. The course, therefore, would be suitable preparation for a student deciding to continue on the MPhil/PhD track.

Scope and syllabus

Topics include: 

  • the history and practice of archaeology in Japan; 
  • the earliest inhabitants of the archipelago; 
  • Jomon foragers; 
  • domestication of the Jomon; 
  • the first farmers and the early Yayoi; 
  • development of complex societies in the later Yayoi;
  • emergence of the first Japanese state in the Kofun period; 
  • and archaeology of the great tombs.

Method of assessment

1 essay of 4,500 words = 75%/ slide test =25%

Required reading

  • Barnes, G.L. 1993. China, Korea and Japan: The Rise of Civilization in East Asia. London, Thames and Hudson
  • Barnes, G.L. (ed.) 1990. Hoabhinhian, Jomon, Yayoi, Early Korean States: Bibliographic Reviews of East Asian Archaeology. Oxford, Oxbow Books
  • Denoon, D. et al (eds) 1996. Multicultural Japan. Cambridge, University Press
  • Egami, N. 1973. The Beginnings of Japanese Art. New York, Weatherhill