Spanning from the Black Sea in the West, to the vast expanse of the Tibetan plateau in the East, Central Eurasia is a critical crossroads of human prehistory. Geographically, ecologically, and culturally diverse, contemporary humans and their ancestors have occupied and moved across this landscape for nearly two million years. This course will engage contemporary and historical research on the populations and cultures that have inhabited this region; from the extinct Paleolithic populations of Denisovans and Neanderthals, to the expansive horse cultures of the Bronze Age. Students will gain an appreciation for this region as a place of contact and wellspring of cultural and technological innovation. In addition to surveying this prehistory, the course will investigate how the ancient past continues to reverberate in the present in surprising ways.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 25

Crosslisted Courses: RAST 216

Prerequisites: None.

Distribution Requirements: HS - Historical Studies

Typical Periods Offered: Fall; Every three years

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall; Not Offered