A Time for every Purpose – Archaeological Workshop in Ancient Art History

The workshop will focus on art history in Egypt and the Ancient Near East from the 4^th millennium BCE to the pre-classic era, by means of studying select examples from the archaeological collection of the Israel Museum.

The workshop will begin with a historical and archaeological introduction of Egypt and the southern Levant during the Bronze and Iron Ages. The students will be expected to achieve a basic knowledge of the division into archaeological periods and the chronological framework of Egypt and the Ancient Near East.

The workshop will continue with a survey of the archaeological forms of artistic expressions, including painting, sculpture, architecture, relief, crafting in wood, stone, ivory and bone, the potter and the jeweler’s art. The functional and cultural significance of these works of art will be discussed, as well as their role in the variety of human interaction: cult of the dead, worship of the gods, the pursuit of esthetics, prestige and functionality. Within this framework, special emphasis will be put on the difference between the principles of royal-canonic art and their application in the private sector. Select objects will be examined “hands on” for their typological evolution over time and space.

The workshop will conclude by discussing several stylistic issues in current archaeological debate, such as the “international” style of Bronze Age ivory carving, the Philistine decorative style and the art of war in ancient Egypt.