Classical Archaeology

Overview

Propylaeum offers several search options for finding subject-information about classical archaeology, including the chance to search for printed monographs and journal articles from Germany or world-wide.  Also offered is the use of an electronic document-delivery service (journal articles via E-mail / book loans) and access to lists of newly published literature.

Users have in addition access to various forms of electronic media including subject databases, E-Journals, freely-available  Internet sources, direct access to digitized historical literature and a document server (which permits the free publication of monographs or articles).

A current event calendar is available within the Academic and Research Services.

Definition of the Subject

Classical archaeology concerns itself with the study of the material remains of the classical Greek and Roman civilizations.  This definition includes earlier phases, such as Bronze Age Mycenaean culture, after-effects, such as the influence on early Byzantine art and relations with neighbouring cultures.  Geographically the discipline covers Greece, Italy and Asia Minor, as well as the provinces of the Roman Empire.  To usefully analyse the
findings and discoveries use is made of surviving sources, such as antique literature and inscriptions. The knowledge thus acquired illuminates various aspects of ancient history including politics, social conditions, commerce, way-of-life, religion and myth.

Classical Archaeology as a Special Subject Collection of Heidelberg University Library

The Heidelberg University Library has responsibility for providing Propylaeums coverage of the subject of Classical Archaeology.  It does so as part of the programme funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), which supports a co-operative system for national literature provision – in this case the special subject collection “Classical Archaeology”. Heidelberg’s tasks as part of this programme include the acquisition and supply of relevant printed and electronic media, as well as the development of a virtual subject library as a central subject portal.