Course A.3202 · Year III · Summer 2026-2027

THE EMERGENCE OF AGRICULTURAL CIVILIZATIONS IN OLD EUROPE

Compulsory course in History, taught by Mihai Gligor.

Overview

Lecturer
Mihai Gligor
Seminar tutor
Mihai Gligor
Type of course
Compulsory
Language of instruction
Romanian
Erasmus language
English
Domain
History
Field of study
History
Form of education
Full-time
Form of instruction
Lecture
Credit awarded by
Grade
Teaching methods
Power Point presentation

Aims

The course aims to deepen knowledge about the issues raised by the process of neolithization of southeastern and central Europe, in the context of the end of the Mesolithic and the "Neolithic revolution" in the "Fertile Crescent" region.

The course aims to gain knowledge of the creations of the civilizations of Old Europe. Comparing the Balkan Neolithic civilization (the civilization of Old Europe) with contemporary civilizations in Western Europe.

The course aims to acquire specialized language and the ability to communicate project results and evaluation conclusions.

Course contents

Chronological and terminology issues regarding the Neolithic and Eneolithic. The main characteristics of the period; Epipaleolithic and/or Mesolithic? The climate changes of Central and Eastern Europe at the end of the Holocene; Pre Pottery Neolithic A-B. The "Fertile Crescent"; The Early Neolithic and the problems of neolithization. The main archaeological sites and significant discoveries; Ethnocultural processes at the genesis of the middle and late Neolithic and early Copper Agein the intra Charpathian area; East Carpathian Neolithic and Eneolithic Civilizations; Neolithic and Eneolithic cultures in the Balkans; Neolithic civilizations of Central Europe; Mega sites of the Cucuteni-Tripolje civilization.

Learning outcomes

The acquisition of the knowledge in archaeology of Old Europe and the ability to operate with the specific concepts of this field.

Assessment

80% - oral examination; 20% - paper presentation from the seminar themes

Recommended reading

First Farmers. The Origins of Agriculturals Societies
P. Bellwood,
Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, 2005
Forging identities in the prehistory of Old Europe. Dividuals, individuals and communities, 7000-3000 BC
J. Chapman
Sidestone Press, Leiden, 2020
The archaeology of people. Dimensions of neolithic life
A. Whittle
Routledge Publishing, London, 2003