MEDIEVAL ARCHAEOLOGY

The course is part of the archeology teachings of the master's degree course in "Ancient Civilisations: Literature, History and Archaeology [FM2]" and is part of the group of subjects in the medieval archeology area present in the study programme, such as Post-Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Topography and Late Ancient and Early Medieval Archaeology, integrating and completing students' knowledge in the discipline of medieval archeology, deepening each time on specific topics.
For the a.y. 2023/2024 the course of Medieval Archeology sp. will be dedicated to material culture, recycling and reuse.
The course intends to act as a moment of advanced training in the use of archaeological sources for the study of the Middle Ages. In particular, the role that can be played by objects in the construction of a historical interpretation will be analysed, analyzing them as a product of a manufacture, as an index of economic relations, and, finally, as a manifestation of social dynamics in relation to their context of use.

Expected results

Attendance and active participation in the training activities offered by the course (lectures, in-depth thematic seminars, material laboratory) and individual study will allow for:

1. Knowledge and understanding
- Know the research methodologies applied to the study of material culture in the Middle Ages
- Know the main classes of materials used in medieval archeology research
- Know the geography and chronological framework of the main material types

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
- Knowing how to chronologically frame material classes and types, with particular reference to glass and ceramics
- Knowing how to conduct an analysis of intra and inter site trade and commerce on the basis of material culture

3. Judgment skills
- Know how to formulate hypotheses and argue dynamics of development and diffusion of objects and ideas
- Develop a critical approach to evaluating alternative hypotheses.

4. Communication skills
- Knowing how to describe objects and ideas related to them with technical language, appropriate terminology and in a critical way.

5. Learning ability
- Knowing how to critically consult the bibliographic tools useful for dealing with insights and sector studies.

The attendance of Medieval Archeology I in the bachelor's degree is a prerequisite. Alternatively, basic knowledge of archeology (methodology) and medieval history is recommended.

The course will analyze the role that can be played by objects in the construction of a historical interpretation, analyzing them as a product of a manufacture, as an index of economic relations, and, finally, as a manifestation of social dynamics in relation to their context of use. A part of the course will be dedicated to the archeology of production and to the different types of artefacts (particularly for ceramics, glass and metals). Some lessons will take place at the Medieval Archeology Laboratory, with live viewing and analysis of some objects.
Some case studies will also be illustrated which describe the biography of the objects or which emphasize the point of view of the users of the artifacts, that is, of those who have used those objects by attributing a meaning to them.
Cases of recycling and reuse, a practice widely used in antiquity, but rarely integrated into economic models, will be analyzed in relation to the main studies relating to the early medieval and medieval economy.

(Whenever possible, the texts will be made available in Moodle, where a section of in-depth texts will also be available)

Bang, P.F. "Trade and empire—in search of organizing concepts for the Roman economy." Past and Present 195.1 (2007): 3-54.
Berti, G., Gelichi, S., 1995. Mille chemins ouverts en Italie, in: Le Vert et Le Brun. Marseille, pp. 129–164.
Berti, G., Gelichi, S., Mannoni, T., 1997. Trasformazioni tecnologiche nelle prime produzioni italiane con rivestimenti vetrificati -secc. XII-XIII, in: La Céramique Médiévale En Méditerranée. Aix-en-Provence, pp. 383–403.
Cantini, Federico. "Produzioni ceramiche ed economie in Italia centro-settentrionale." Italy, 888-962: a turning point. Italia, 888-962: una svolta: IV Seminario Internazionale, Cassero di Poggio Imperiale a Poggibonsi (SI) 4-6 dicembre 2009. 2013. 341-364.
Curta, Florin. "Merovingian and Carolingian gift giving." Speculum 81.3 (2006): 671-699.
Ferri, Margherita. Il vetro nell’alto Adriatico fra V e XV secolo. Sesto Fiorentino: All’Insegna del Giglio, 2022 [pp. 70-114]
Fouracre, Paul. "Lights, power and the moral economy of early medieval Europe." Early Medieval Europe 28.3 (2020): 367-387.
McCormick, Michael. "New light on the'dark ages': How the slave trade fuelled the Carolingian economy." Past & present 177 (2002): 17-54.
McCormick, Michael, Movements and markets in the first millennium: Information, containers and shipwrecks. Trade and Markets in Byzantium, ed C Morrisson (Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, DC), pp. 51–98 (2012).
Molinari, Alessandra. «Archeologia medievale e storia economica». Archeologia medievale, 2014, 95–110.
Molinari, Alessandra. «Le anfore medievali come proxy per la storia degli scambi mediterranei tra VIII e XIII secolo?» Archeologia medievale, 2018, 293–306.
Molinari, Alessandra. "La pietrificazione del costruito nell'Europa meridionale del pieno Medioevo: considerazioni comparative dalla prospettiva archeologica." La pietrificazione del costruito nell'Europa meridionale del pieno Medioevo: considerazioni comparative dalla prospettiva archeologica (2021): 275-287.
Sainsbury, Victoria A., et al. "Mutable objects, places and chronologies." Antiquity 95.379 (2021): 215-227.
Stiaffini, D., 1999. Il vetro nel medioevo. Tecniche strutture manufatti. Roma. [pp. 27-137]
Gelichi, S., Negrelli, C., Ferri, M., Cadamuro, S., Cianciosi, A., Grandi, E., 2017. Importare, produrre e consumare nella laguna di Venezia dal IV al XII secolo. Anfore, vetri e ceramiche, in: Adriatico Altomedievale (VI-XI Secolo). Scambi, Porti, Produzioni. pp. 23–114. [Invetriate altomedievali pp. 76-81; Vetro pp. 51-55 e 82-88]
Wood I., Creating a ‘temple society’ in the early medieval west, Early Medieval Europe 2021 29 (4) pp. 462–486

The course provides two complementary ways of verifying learning.
During the course, one or two short papers will be assigned to be presented to colleagues during the seminar and uploaded to the e-learning platform. The work will be based on the texts assigned.
At the end of the course the oral test will take place with the discussion of the papers carried out and with the verification of learning through some open questions.
The verification intends to ascertain the acquisition of the fundamental knowledge of the discipline and the ability to argue and synthesise, the mastery of the scientific vocabulary.
The final mark is given by the evaluation of the participation in the lesson, by the evaluation of the term papers and by the skills demonstrated during the oral exam.

First part of the course: Lectures with materials that will be made available from time to time in Moodle.
If possible, some lessons will be based on the live analysis of archaeological materials (at the Laboratory of Medieval Archaeology).
Second part of the course: seminar lessons with the active participation of students on the basis of assigned textbooks. This part of the course is part of the oral exam program: all students are invited to follow the presentations of their colleagues.

The evaluation will consist of: participation in lessons, especially seminars, which are warmly recommended to all, even to those who are not called to exhibit themselves.

Italian

It is possible to participate in the supplementary activities of the Medieval Archeology Laboratory (excavations, study of materials).
For more information, contact the teacher.

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Circular economy, innovation, work" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development