URI's Underwater Archaeology Project

URI COURSES

Course 1: Archaeological Theory and Field Methods, 4 credits

The main component of this course will be the actual work conducted in the field, and the relationship between that work and the theoretical underpinnings of archaeology. Students will work (with direct supervision of the program staff) on a real archaeological project. Students will be a part of the entire dig, from the theoretical goals of the individual projects (ranging from ancient shipwrecks to uncovering and studying ancient architecture) to the actual excavation, recording, conservation, and storage (the real 'work' of archaeology). Students wishing to may have the opportunity to work on special projects (more intensive conservation and preservation, photography/videography, etc).

Course 2: Akko: Public Archaeology, Conservation, and Heritage, 4 credits

This course will introduce students to the concepts of Public Archaeology, Conservation and Heritage through the specific city of Akko. The course will consider the city from numerous perspectives including: history, archaeology, religion, culture, tourism, and city government through a series of lectures presented by the faculty on site and guest speakers to highlight the many issues surrounding the Public Archaeology, Conservation and Heritage. The lectures will cover the major historical and archaeological periods represented in Akko and the larger context in which Akko functioned. To better understand t he complexities involved in Akko people from the city government, and tourism will also talk about how to deal with a modern city built directly upon a very ancient one. The first weekend will provide detailed tours of the remains of the many different periods in which the city of Akko flourished. The trip to Jerusalem will focus on the Old City of Jerusalem to provide a glimpse of how a similar city, though larger, deals with similar issues and which has remains from many of the same historical periods. The tours on the final weekend will focus on nearby cities and sites to reveal how Akko fit into its historic contexts, functioned as a port city, and yet remains quite unique.

This course will feature lectures and tours, given by a variety of professors, public administrators, and other speakers, representing the breadth and depth that Akko offers us.

Topic: History of Akko

Early history/Archaeology of Akko 4^th Millennium-Iron Age

Hellenistic/Roman

Period of the Crusades

Ottoman Akko

From the End of the Ottoman period-Today

Topic: Uses of Akko

Ports

Fortifications

Prison

Stop for Travelers

Cultural and study center

Topic: Religions of Akko

Judaism

Christianity

Islam

Bahai

Akko City Tours/Special Presentations

Visit to the visitors' center to see the film and bathhouse

Tour of the crusader and ottoman city

Tour of some of the religious centers in Akko

Lecture and Tour by Akko Preservation group

Lecture and Tour by a representative of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA)

Amidar Lecture

Lecture from the Akko Tourist Center

Lecture by representatives of the city govt and the Old Acre Development Company

Israel Tours:

Jerusalem

Caesaria