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Learner Reviews & Feedback for At the Origins of the Mediterranean Civilization: Archaeology of the City from the Levant to the West - 3rd-1st millennium BC by Sapienza University of Rome

4.5
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415 ratings

About the Course

Which are the deepest roots of that mix of cultures that we use to call ‘Mediterranean Civilization’? Which are comminglings and exchanges which produced its most complete fruit, i.e. the city, a place for landscape-modelling communities? And which elements did contribute to build up that baulk of customs, ideas, and innovations which compelled to confrontation and hybridizations different peoples for millennia? What did it made, from pottery to metallurgy, from gastronomy to architecture, from art to religion, of a sea a cradle of civilization? Archaeology may help in disentangling such questions, seeking unexpected answers , by tinkering what ancient Mediterranean peoples left buried in the ground. A privileged point of view of our course is the ancient Phoenician city of Motya, located exactly at the centre of the “sea in the middle”. Throughout the live experience of excavation, with images taken on the field, this course will let you touch the many tesserae of the great mosaic of the Mediterranean Civilization. The field diary of the archaeologist, and the handpick will be the two tools, which will lead us across the sea to discover what such early cities actually were, and how their contribute is still a major part of our shared memory....

Top reviews

CH

Mar 13, 2021

This was a great course, it was great to be out 'on location' with the archaeologists and Lorenzo Nigro. There was also a great selection of reading material which offered more in-depth information.

DA

Aug 9, 2017

wonderful explanation along with good slides and maps and incredible readings

but the main organization was my favorite part because I learned so much about ancient cities as well as Motya

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151 - 173 of 173 Reviews for At the Origins of the Mediterranean Civilization: Archaeology of the City from the Levant to the West - 3rd-1st millennium BC

By David J H

Apr 16, 2019

A very interesting course with lots of information. The translations were at times a little challenging.

By nancy d

Jul 3, 2022

This course has really sparked my interest in archaeolog. I would like to take it to the next level.

By Anton B

Jul 24, 2021

A very interesting course which contributed further to my little knowledge on the island of Motya.

By Isabel G C

Nov 7, 2019

Muy interesante y útil, aunque un poco confusas algunas explicaciones y preguntas de los test

By Rebeca P M

Aug 21, 2017

It is a very interesting course to know the Phoenician city of Motya.

By Charles B

Aug 30, 2020

was well paced would have liked a little more history

By D. W

Jun 2, 2018

My first try at a subject like this. Very well done.

By Benedict S

Jul 6, 2020

5/5 Lorenzo Nigro

4/5 content

3/5 translation

By Mario F

Oct 17, 2022

All concepts are not from Europe.

By Richard K

Jan 11, 2018

interesting story of archaeology

By Julie B

Apr 13, 2019

T

By Kathy S

Jun 15, 2022

Fascinating topic, and Professor Nigro was inspirational in his enthusiasm and professionalism. But those transcripts!! No sign of having been proof-read, let alone edited! So many instances of [INAUDIBLE] or [FOREIGN]; words spelt so incorrectly that the meaning was unclear - for example, the course discussed the Phoenician settlement of Motya, but there were at least 5 different spellings of this name; the names of the various pottery types were impossible to decipher. Professor Nigro's accent was a bit tricky, but his enthusiasm made up for that. Yes, I know you have to use a computerised tool to produce these transcripts, but surely someone could take a bit of time to proof-read? What the computer produced was a complete mess, an insult both to learners, and a betrayal of Professor Nigro's professionalism. I would have given 5 stars had the transcripts been better.

By Katharina R

Aug 18, 2024

I enjoyed the course, however, some of the most important details presented in this course were completely wrong. The greek god Poseidon is not and never will be Baal. Baal can be compared to Hades from the realms of the underworld and death. I would have expected more from a so called professor of Archaeology.

By Trudy L

Feb 9, 2021

The pictures of the artifacts, the maps and views of the site are all excellent. I found it challenging at times to get the jest of what was being said. Never the less I enjoyed the history lesson.

By Daniel E S

Jul 8, 2024

Good contents once you learn to decode Lorenzo's accent and limited English abilities. Exams could use a good proof reading from someone who is better in English.

By Claudia M

Jun 6, 2022

The course is very interesting, but the instructor really speaks a very poor English and sometimes it is not easy to understand what he is saying.

By 高柳陸

Sep 19, 2022

Very interesting course.

However, the image of the symbol of Sapienza Università di Roma is broken. PLEASE FIX THAT.

By Alexandra E

Sep 22, 2019

Aimed at experienced archaeology students who want a deep-dive into this one particular topic.

By Per F

Aug 21, 2022

Interesting contents, flimsy presentation with sometimes a confusing use of English language.

By Oscar T

Nov 29, 2018

The videos are excellent but the choice of lectures and the quiz need more work.

By Christian W

Jun 1, 2019

Pro: - Some facts presented are interesting.

Cons: - Most content is too related about a specific dig find, too few general context.

-Prof has strong accent and English subtitles were *extremely* bad (did a machine do that???).

-Video cutting and script felt done overnight: some bad cuts, some segments are repeated on several occasions in the video

-Female students shouldn't be treated as decorations!

By Fred I

Mar 26, 2018

The instructor's English was difficult to understand at times. The written text regarding the spoken had many errors

By Elizabeth D

Dec 23, 2021

It is impossible to withdraw from a this course!!!!!!