OVERVIEW

The course aims to equip students with a basic preparation in medieval archaeology and methods of working in the field. Students are guided through all the operational phases beginning with the historical issues tied to the study of a certain area, initial analysis, excavation site, and post excavation. Numerous research themes of the discipline are presented along with a picture of medieval civilisation with material evidence

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The “Medieval archaeology” course illustrates the various phases of archaeological research, from initial surveys, to stratigraphical excavation, to post excavation elaboration of archaeological data and it gives a picture of medieval society with particular reference to settlements, monumental evidence and artefacts. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Teaching teaching is aimed at both students without direct excavation experience and those who have already dealt with practical work in the field. After a general overview of modern archaeological techniques, both in the initial and preventive phase of the research, in the construction site activity and in the post-excavation laboratory, the course intends to address the main themes of medieval archeology as outlined in the latter decades: from urban archeology to fortification, from the archeology of churches and monasteries to the archeology of mentality, from the archeology of power structures to the archeology of infrastructures, to the archeology of production, with particular regard to the types of ceramics . The problems of settlements and traffic will be illustrated, a picture of the most significant monumental testimonies, the characteristics of the house and its furnishings.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements for this teaching

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures with extensive use of audiovisual material. Possible visits to archaeological complexes. Practical excavation work.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

General knowledge of Medieval archaeology. Stratigraphical excavation. Prospecting and archaeometric analysis. Settlements and road systems. Monumental evidence, structural characteristics and building techniques. Places of worship and burial. Archaeology of production and artefacts

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

A. AUGENTI, Archeologia dell'Italia medievale, Laterza, 2016.
G. BROGIOLO, A. CHAVARRIA ARNAU, Archeologia postlassica,Temi, strumenti, prospettive, Carocci 2020
A. CHAVARRIA ARNAU, Archeologia delle chiese. Dalle origini all'anno Mille, Carocci 2018
S. GELICHI (a cura di), Quarant'anni di Archeologia Medievale in Italia, Archeologia Medievale, numero speciale, 2014
F. BENENTE,  Il Castello di Rivarola. Campagne di scavo 1996/97 e Indagini archeologiche 2018, Oltre Edizioni, 2019
F. BENENTE, San Nicolao di Pietra Colice. Indagine archeologica su un caso di omicidio, Oltre Edizioni 2021

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FABRIZIO BENENTE (President)

FABIO NEGRINO

GIAN BATTISTA GARBARINO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 2024

Class schedule

LATE ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL ARCHEOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam.

The candidate will be asked to critically present themes and issues addressed during the lessons,  or knowledge and understanding of the texts listed in the appropriate section of the Bibliography item (if not attending students).  

Non-attending students and Erasmus students can also agree on an individual and differentiated program with the teacher.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

An oral test that aims to evaluate the candidate's understanding of the course contents but also the acquisition of a methodology to "understand" the results of archaeological research.

Students who demonstrate basic knowledge of Late Antique and Medieval Archeology will pass the exam. To achieve an excellence assessment, students must demonstrate thorough knowledge of the content, mastery of specific relevant terminology and critical awareness, as well as the ability to propose relevant arguments and links.

Exam schedule