OVERVIEW

How did relations between the sea, cities and coastal territories in the Mediterranean change after the end of the Roman world? What role did ports play in economic and settlement transformations? How did routes, goods, ships and forms of navigation change between Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages?

The course addresses the main themes of Mediterranean maritime and port archaeology in the post-classical period through a theoretical and methodological introduction and the discussion of case studies. Particular attention will be paid to the relationship between ports, cities and territories, coastal infrastructure, routes and trade, the circulation of goods, ships and navigation, shipwrecks and submerged contexts, material culture and archaeological indicators of exchange. A specific module will be devoted to the methods and issues of underwater archaeology.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course addresses the main themes of Mediterranean maritime and port archaeology in the post-classical period through a theoretical and methodological introduction and the discussion of case studies. Particular attention will be paid to the relationship between ports, cities and territories, coastal infrastructure, routes and trade, the circulation of goods, ships and navigation, shipwrecks and submerged contexts, material culture and archaeological indicators of exchange. A specific module will be devoted to the methods and issues of underwater archaeology.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course addresses the main themes of the archaeology of the sea and Mediterranean maritime landscapes in the post-classical period, with particular attention to the relationship between ports, cities, trade networks, navigation and material culture. Through a theoretical and methodological introduction and the discussion of case studies, port systems, coastal infrastructure, routes and the circulation of goods, ships, shipwrecks and submerged contexts will be analysed. Archaeological evidence will be integrated with documentary, epigraphic, iconographic and palaeoenvironmental sources.

A specific module will be devoted to underwater archaeology and to the basic knowledge of archaeological research techniques used in hyperbaric environments, with particular reference to shipwrecks and port contexts. The module will focus especially on the Tyrrhenian area, with particular attention to Liguria, and on Transalpine regions.

By the end of the course, students taking the 9-ECTS programme will be expected to:

· have acquired in-depth knowledge of the main themes and methods of post-classical maritime, port and nautical archaeology;

· be able to place Mediterranean ports, routes, trade and navigation systems correctly within their geographical and chronological contexts;

· understand the relationships between cities, ports, coastal territories and exchange networks;

· be able to critically interpret archaeological evidence and different types of sources;

· be able to analyse scholarly articles, excavation reports and publications concerning port, nautical and underwater contexts;

· know the main technologies and methodologies used in archaeological research in hyperbaric environments;

· have acquired the basic skills required to understand the organisation and development of research projects in underwater archaeology;

· know and use the basic technical vocabulary of underwater and nautical archaeology, including terminology in the main European languages;

· be able to identify, at a preliminary level, the main classes of archaeological finds and indicators related to navigation, trade and exchange;

· be able to apply the knowledge acquired to different case studies and develop independent analytical and interpretative skills;

· have developed independent learning and study skills useful in both professional and research contexts.

By the end of the course, students taking the 6-ECTS programme will be expected to:

· have acquired adequate knowledge of the main themes and methods of post-classical maritime and port archaeology;

· be able to place the topics covered correctly within their geographical and chronological contexts;

· understand the relationships between ports, cities, territories, navigation and trade networks;

· be able to apply the knowledge acquired and develop critical analytical skills;

· be able to consult and understand scholarly articles and archaeological excavation reports;

· know the basic principles, technologies and technical vocabulary of underwater archaeology;

· have developed learning skills enabling them to explore the main themes of the discipline independently.

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisites are required.

TEACHING METHODS

Classes for the 2026/2027 academic year will be held in person.

Teaching activities include lectures, the analysis and discussion of case studies, seminars and laboratory work. The Underwater Archaeology module may include practical exercises, demonstrations and in-depth sessions devoted to the techniques used to investigate, document and interpret submerged contexts.

Attendance is recommended.

Participation in laboratory activities and any field activities is optional.

Students are strongly encouraged to enrol on the course AulaWeb page, where information, any changes to the programme and teaching materials used during classes will be made available.

Please refer to the course AulaWeb page for any further updates during the academic year.

Students with certified disabilities, specific learning disorders (SLD) or special educational needs are invited to contact both the lecturer and the Department disability representative at the beginning of the course, in order to agree on teaching and examination arrangements which, while respecting the course learning objectives, take individual learning needs into account and allow the use of any appropriate compensatory tools.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Programme for students taking the course for 6 ECTS credits

Topics covered: archaeology of the sea and maritime archaeology: definitions, methods and issues; the Mediterranean in the post-classical period; transformations of port systems between Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages; ports, landing places and coastal infrastructure; relationships between cities, ports and territories; routes, navigation and exchange networks; trade and the circulation of goods; archaeology of production and material culture; the main archaeological indicators used to study trade and port contexts.

A specific part of the course will be devoted to underwater archaeology: techniques and methodologies of archaeological research in hyperbaric environments; shipwrecks and submerged port contexts; principles of nautical archaeology; documentation and interpretation of submerged contexts; technologies used in underwater research; the basic technical vocabulary of the discipline. Particular attention will be paid to the Tyrrhenian area, Liguria and comparisons with Transalpine regions.

Teaching activities may be supplemented by workshops, seminars, surveys and other field activities organised as part of the course.

Programme for students taking the course for 9 ECTS credits

The programme includes all topics covered in the 6-ECTS programme, together with further study of the transformation of maritime and trade networks between the Early and High Middle Ages.

Particular attention will be devoted to the formation and development of early medieval emporia, their role within regional and supra-regional exchange systems, and the relationships between port centres, cities and territories. The recovery and reorganisation of Mediterranean trade networks from the 10th-11th centuries onwards will also be analysed, with attention to the growth of trade, the redefinition of routes and the development of new port and mercantile systems.

A specific focus will be devoted to archaeological indicators of circulation and exchange: transport containers, ceramics, glass, metals, coins and other artefacts useful for reconstructing trade networks, production centres, distribution areas and connections between the Mediterranean, continental Europe and regional contexts.

Teaching activities may be supplemented by workshops, seminars, surveys and other field activities organised as part of the course.

The course contributes to the achievement of Goal 4 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda: ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography for students taking the course for 6 ECTS credits

A. AUGENTI, Città e porti dall’Antichità al Medioevo, Carocci, Rome 2010 (new edition 2018).

Additional books, scholarly articles and materials relating to individual case studies will be indicated during classes and made available or referenced through AulaWeb.

Bibliography for students taking the course for 9 ECTS credits

The bibliography includes the texts listed for the 6-ECTS programme and, in addition:

C. WICKHAM, L’asino e il battello. Ripensare l’economia del Mediterraneo medievale, 950–1180, Viella, Rome 2024. During the course, the sections selected for specific study will be indicated.

Further books and scholarly articles will address the formation of early medieval emporia, the reorganisation of Mediterranean trade networks between the 10th and 12th centuries, and archaeological indicators of production, circulation and exchange. A detailed bibliography for individual topics and case studies will be provided during the course and made available through AulaWeb.

Non-attending students and working students may agree on a specific programme with the lecturer. Students with SLD or other certified special educational needs may agree on the use of compensatory and dispensatory measures in accordance with University regulations and the relevant degree programme rules

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FABRIZIO BENENTE (President)

FABIO NEGRINO

SIMON LUCA TRIGONA (President Substitute)

ANTONINO FACELLA (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Monday, 28 September 2026

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination consists of an oral interview. Students must demonstrate that they have understood the topics covered during classes (if attending) or that they know and understand the texts listed in the Bibliography section (if non-attending).

· Non-attending students and Erasmus students may also agree on an individual and differentiated programme with the lecturer.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The level of learning achieved will be assessed on the basis of knowledge of the course content, the ability to frame topics chronologically and geographically, understanding of the archaeological issues discussed, appropriate use of disciplinary terminology, and the ability to make critical connections between evidence, methods and case studies.

1. In-depth knowledge of the topics and assigned texts, combined with critical analytical skills, confidence in chronological and geographical contextualisation, command of specialist terminology and clarity of expression, will be awarded marks between 28 and 30 with honours.

2. Good knowledge of the content, combined with generally sound but not consistently in-depth analytical skills and appropriate language, will be awarded marks between 23 and 27.

3. Essential knowledge of the topics, with limited ability to make connections and develop critical analysis, and with disciplinary terminology that is not always used appropriately, will be considered sufficient and awarded marks between 18 and 22.

4. Significant gaps in preparation, difficulties with chronological and geographical contextualisation, inappropriate use of disciplinary terminology, and inability to navigate the bibliography and the main themes addressed during the course will result in a fail.