2018-19

The course forms an introduction to the study of palaeopathology, palaeodemography, osteometry (e.g. stature estimation, craniometrics) mechanical stress and activity indicators, palaeonutrition and to all the modern chemical, biochemical and radiological methods (e.g. stable istotopes) that accompany them. The course is accompanied by practical sessions in the Laboratory of Anthropology of the Department.

The course examines the history of Egypt from the advent of Muhammad Ali in Egypt until the British conquest of the country. The main issues that the course analyzes is the personality of Muhammad Ali, his rise to power and the establishment by him of a personal dynasty, the policies implemented in the country and the new policy of external expansion, along with the major changes that these policies provoked in the Egyptian society.

The course deals with the life of Muhammad and his career as a religious, political and military leader (570-632). It examines the creation and the evolution of the first Islamic community, firstly in Mecca and later in Medina. Different aspects of pre-Islamic Arab society (religion, culture, economy, social stratification, racial organisation and others.) are analysed, as well as how they affected Islam and, in their turn, how they were affected by the new religion