Prehistory of the Iberian Peninsula is a compulsory subject for students in the 4th year of the Bachelor's Degree in History. Part of the General History module, it is taught in the first four-monthly period, and consists of 6 credits (4 theoretical and 2 practical). This course is linked with the subjects of Hunter-gatherer Societies in Prehistory from the 1st year, and Productive Societies in Prehistory from the 2nd year. The knowledge and skills developed in these two previous subjects are recommended prerequisites for taking this course. Additionally, it is related to Introduction to Archaeology from the 1st year and Archaeology from the 2nd year, as well as the electives subjects related to the area of Prehistory.



In this course, the prehistoric past of the Iberian Peninsula is described and analyzed from the earliest evidence of human settlement to the emergence of Complex Societies. Two major blocks are distinguished:



-The first linked to the development of Pleistocene hunter-gatherer societies, from the first settlement of the Iberian Peninsula to the communities of the last glaciation.

-The second focused on the formation of so-called complex societies, from the last hunter-gatherers of the Holocene to the formation of the first chiefdoms in the Late Bronze Age-Iron Age.



Through theoretical and practical content, topics such as the evolution of the human species, the first occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, technological innovations over time, economic and cultural changes, and the transformation of social organization are developed and analyzed. Special importance is given to understanding the role of the archaeological record and scientific disciplines in the reconstruction and interpretation of our most remote past.



The course also aims for students to achieve a level of proficiency in the search, management, and evaluation of bibliographic sources of scientific quality. In this sense, the activities carried out allow students to practice various essential skills for the profession of both historian and archaeologist.

Competences

These are the Transversal Competencies that are worked on in this subject:

M02CM04 - Be able to present in oral and/or written form, with formal correctness and appropriate terminology, at least one topic or problem of historical research, so that it shows its ability for the proper use of historical sources.

M03CM06 - Be able to present orally and/or in writing, with the use of appropriate historical concepts, individually and/or collectively, historical research works. And show ability in their presentation in the fields of teaching and dissemination of scientific knowledge.



These are the Specific Competences that are worked on in this subject:

M02CM01 - Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and adequate understanding of the main processes and events of the prehistory of the Iberian Peninsula in its different aspects (economy, society, politics, culture) and their relationship with current societies.

M02CM02 - Identify the different historiographic approaches and perspectives that have been given over time and their relationship with the culture of each historical period in the Iberian Peninsula

M02CM03 - To know the basic methods and techniques of historical research and to show the ability to obtain, organize and analyze the different materials and sources of information



Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will:

LO1. Discriminate the scientific discourse developed for Prehistory and the different historiographical theories, identifying the most characteristic ones.

LO2. Identify and differentiate the main processes and events of the Prehistory of the Iberian Peninsula.

LO3. Reflect critically on the main processes that occurred during the Prehistory of the Iberian Peninsula.

LO4. Complete original research projects, individually and/or in groups, by searching for and using high-quality scientific information sources, selecting and critically evaluating them.

LO5. Develop their own oral and/or written discourse that meets standards of scientific quality, critical thinking, and ethics, with formal correctness and appropriate terminology.

LO6. Apply the available methods and techniques for the analysis of the archaeological record.

-Introduction and environmental and chronological basis.

-Palaeolithic societies: from the first human settlement of the Iberian Peninsula to the communities of the last glaciation (Lower, Middle, and Upper Palaeolithic).

-The last hunter, gatherer, and fisher communities of the Iberian Peninsula (Epipaleolithic and Mesolithic).

-The first productive groups of the Iberian Peninsula (Neolithic).

-The so-called complex societies (Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age).

The subject will be taught using a variety of methods. The classroom sessions will be devoted to presenting the theoretical contents of the subject. Practical classes will play a fundamental role in the understanding of the content of the syllabus. For this purpose, discussions and exercises will be carried out, individually or in groups.



The learning methodology used in the subject gives students a prominent role. Students should be able to work autonomously with the teaching material and references provided. In the classes, students are invited to take part in the discussion. To facilitate and ensure the students’ learning, the work carried out will be monitored, which will allow the student, based on previously established assessment criteria, to know at all times what is their degree of learning.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Written test to be taken (%): 50
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 50

During the development of any assessment exercise, the use of books or notes, as well as telephone, electronic, computer or other devices will be prohibited.



A.Continuous assessment System

In the Continuous Assessment System, formative evaluation is prioritized. The aim is that students acquire the competences associated with the subject, progressively and consciously, self-regulating their learning.

The final grade of the course is computed by adding the points obtained in activities related to continuous tracking of the student performances and/or individual written exercises. Participation, clarity in the presentation, appropriate use of historical concepts, speaking and writing skills, including spelling correction and cleanliness in the presentation of contents, will be considered.



B. Final Assessment System

Students can also be evaluated through the final evaluation mode. In this case, the students on established dates (within nine weeks of the start of the subject) must submit to the teaching supervisors a formal resignation to the continuous evaluation. Otherwise, the student will be evaluated following the continuous evaluation system.

These student must prove the acquisition of competencies through several practical exercises prior to the written exam on the date indicated, as well as a written test on all the contents, both practical and theoretical.



A copy or imitation of the work done by third parties may not be presented as if it were your own. Students must know and use citation rules. The suspicion of plagiarism can lead to the rejection of the works and consequently, to a fail in the subject.

Students are reminded that they must know and follow the protocol on academic ethics and prevention of dishonest or fraudulent practices in assessment tests and academic work at the UPV/EHU.

During the development of any assessment exercise, the use of books or notes, as well as telephone, electronic, computer or other devices will be prohibited.



According to the academic rules in force, the extraordinary evaluation will be carried out through the final evaluation system. The final assessment consists of a final exam and a series of practical exercises.

However, those who have followed and passed the various sections of the continuous evaluation, but have suspended the examination of the ordinary call or have not submitted, may maintain the grade of the continuous evaluation, as long as they have not resigned.

Materials uploaded to the e-Gela virtual platform

Basic bibliography

Almagro-Gorbea, M. (Ed). 2014. Protohistoria de la Península Ibérica. Del Neolítico a la Romanización. Fundación Atapuerca, Burgos. 904(36) PRO

Álvarez-Fernández, E., Blanco, A., Rivero, O. 2020. Prehistoria de la península ibérica. Universidad de Salamanca.Acceso electrónico.

Celestino Pérez, S. (coord). 2017. La Protohistoria en la península Ibérica. Istmo. Acceso electrónico

García, M., Zapata, L. (eds.). 2013. Métodos y técnicas de análisis y estudio en arqueología prehistórica: de lo técnico a la reconstrucción de los grupos humanos. Universidad del País Vasco, Bilbao. 902.3 MET 15

López García, P. (coord). 2017. La Prehistoria en la península Ibérica. Istmo. Acceso electrónico

Menéndez, M. Prehistoria de la Península Ibérica. Alianza. 902/904(038) MEN

Menéndez, M. (Coord). 2013. Prehistoria antigua de la Península Ibérica. UNED, Madrid. 903(460) PRE Menéndez, M.(Coord). 2013. Prehistoria reciente de la Península Ibérica. UNED, Madrid. 903(460) PRE

Journals

REVISTA DEL SEMINARIO DE ARQUEOLOGIA Y ETNOLOGIA TUROLENSE; BOLETIN DEL MUSEO
ARQUEOLOGICO NACIONAL; BOLSKAN. REVISTA DE ARQUEOLOGIA OSCENSE; CAESARAUGUSTA;
COMPLUTUM; CUADERNOS DE ARQUEOLOGIA DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE NAVARRA; CUADERNOS DE
PREHISTORIA Y ARQUEOLOGIA; CUADERNOS DE PREHISTORIA Y ARQUEOLOGÍA. UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA
DE MADRID; CUADERNOS DE PREHISTORIA. UNIVERSIDAD DE GRANADA; CYPSELA; ESPACIO, TIEMPO Y
FORMA; GALLAECIA; KALATHOS; LUCENTUM; MUNIBE. ANTROPOLOGÍA-ARKEOLOGIA; PYRENAE; RECERQUES
DEL MUSEU D'ALCOI; REVISTA ATLANTICA-MEDITERRANEA DE PREHISTORIA Y ARQUEOLOGIA SOCIAL;
REVISTA D'ARQUEOLOGIA DE PONENT; SAGUNTUM; SALDVIE.ESTUDIOS DE PREHISTORIA Y ARQUEOLOGÍA;
SAUTUOLA; SPAL. REVISTA DE PREHISTORIA Y ARQUEOLOGIA; TRABAJOS DE PREHISTORIA; VELEIA;
ZEPHYRUS

Web addresses

Aranzadi Zientzia Elkartea http://www.aranzadi.eus/
Barandiaran Fundazioa http://www.barandiaranfundazioa.eus/index.php/es/
Euskomedia. Kultura topagunea http://www.euskomedia.org/
Eusko Ikaskuntza http://www.eusko-ikaskuntza.eus/es/
Fundación Atapuerca https://www.atapuerca.org/
Paleorama EnRed https://arqueologiaenred.paleorama.es/
PastWomen. Historia material de las mujeres http://www.pastwomen.net/
Terrae Antiquae. Arqueología, Historia https://terraeantiqvae.com/