The study of the late antique and early medieval campaign in the recent years, has an important development and allowed an extensive overhaul of the knowledge about the characteristics and organization of the territory and its transformations between the fourth and the eighth centuries.

Similarly they have increased knowledge on the structure of the city between the V and the X century, with a marked difference between the late antique city (V - VII century) and the early medieval cities (VIII - X century) .

The course wants to go through a key issue in the Medieval Archaeology, first about the transformation of the territory, incastellation and the city between the late antique and early Middle Ages, and then taking into account the latest development of studies on the subject, providing the tools to understand and to interpret critically the archaeological sources.

Propaedeutic part: the lectures will be started by a supporting - and historical - part preparatory to the course. It will deal with the end of the ancient world (starting with the crisis of the 3rd century A.D.) and will analyse the causes of the end of the Western Roman Empire by relating the debate to the archaeological sources.

General part: the concept of the Middle Ages, the fortunes of the Middle Ages and "medievalism" in contemporary society will be analysed, also in relation to mass-media and the so-called "new-media". The history of the discipline in Europe, the evolution of urban centres and rural settlements between Late Antiquity and the Late Middle Ages, the emergence of monastic complexes and castles, funerary archaeology and material culture will be addressed. European case studies will be presented, with particular focus on local ones (with insights into the cities of Rimini "excavations of Piazza Ferrari", Pesaro "excavations of the Cathedral" and Urbino). 

General topics of the course 

0. Introduction to the course and the medieval age.

1. Apogee of the Roman Empire, the 2nd century AD (summary outline).

2. Advent and establishment of Christianity (2nd-4th centuries AD). Christian archaeology: from the catacombs to the great basilicas of Constantine.  

3. End of the Western Roman Empire up to Justinian: 5th and 6th centuries AD.

4. Historical 'Denialism' on the Termination of the Western Empire. Archaeological sources on the end of the Empire. 

5. History of Medieval Archaeology in Europe.

6. Methodology of archaeological research.

7. Urban centres in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages, materiality and transformation processes. Analysis of the cities of Rimini, Pesaro and Urbino.

8. Archaeology of the Medieval Countryside. The countryside from Late Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages, forms of anthropisation, land management, habitat and landscape with insights into the territories of the Marches and Romagna, in general, and the provinces of Pesaro and Urbino and Rimini. 

9. Archaeology of architecture and monuments.

10. Archaeology of cemeteries and burial grounds.

11. Archaeology of production and trade.

Monographic part: narrating archaeology. Cultural heritage communication methods: the example of the Monte Copiolo castle excavation. 

Knowledge and understanding
Students should obtain knowledge and understanding of the primary processes that took place from the IV to the XV centuries in Italy and Europe, mastering the discipline to include a post-secondary level of understanding of the primary methods of archaeological research and its interdisciplinary dimensions.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Students must be able to apply their knowledge and understanding of archaeological processes so as to demonstrate a professional approach to their work - that is, the applicability of the study of a medieval archaeological context. They must also possess adequate skills in creating and sustaining arguments as well as in asking and possibly resolving questions in the field of medieval archaeology.

Making judgements
Students must develop the ability to collect and interpret data provided during the course of the lessons, from bibliographic texts.

Communication skills
Students must develop effective communications skills so as to be able to communicate with both specialists and non-specialists about topics and events pertaining to medieval archaeology.

Learning skills
Students must develop learning skills necessary for undertaking self-directed further study in the area of medieval archaeology.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

During the year, archaeological excavations, educational outings, summer schools and other field activities may be undertaken that will allow the application of the methods learned.

Keep up to date by consulting the Medieval Archaeology Portal notice board at www.archeologiamedievale.uniurb.it. 

Teaching

Lectures. Lectures will take place via multimedia supports provided by the lecturer. Lectures will involve exchange and interaction with the audience.

Attendance

Attendance is strongly recommended. Frequency: at least 2/3 of the lessons.

Course books

Propaedeutical part:

Stasolla F. M., Fiocchi Nicolai V., 2002, L'archeologia delle pratiche funerarie. Periodo tardoantico e medievale e mondo bizantino, Treccani on-line, il testo è disponibile online: http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/l-archeologia-delle-pratiche-funerarie-periodo-tardoantico-e-medievale-e-mondo-bizantino_%28Il-Mondo-dell%27Archeologia%29/

General part: 

Augenti A., 2016, Archeologia dell'Italia Medievale, Bari (Laterza).

Monographic part: 

Sacco D., 2020, Il castello di Monte Copiolo, la Casa dei duchi di Urbino, Bologna. 

NB.

Please note that the notes taken during the lessons, on topics not covered in the assigned textbooks, will also constitute examination material for attending students. The material on the excavation of the "villa di Settefinestre" and the "domus del chirurgo di Rimini", present on the blended platform, also constitutes a study text.

Assessment

Oral examination. The examination consists of a number of questions on the study texts and the topics covered in the course of the lectures. The questions are proposed in the form of a conversation.

The following will be assessed from excellent to very good (30 and praise-27): the student's possession of excellent/very good critical and in-depth study skills; the ability to link together the themes addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.
Good to fair marks (26-23): the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relative critical capacity and the ability to link the themes dealt with: the use of appropriate language.
Sufficient assessments (22-18): the student has a minimal knowledge of the topics dealt with, even though there are some learning gaps; the use of inappropriate language.
Negative assessments will result in: difficulties in the orientation of the student with regard to the themes dealt with in the examination texts; gaps in the training; the use of inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Individual study.

Course books

Propaedeutical part:

Stasolla F. M., Fiocchi Nicolai V., 2002, L'archeologia delle pratiche funerarie. Periodo tardoantico e medievale e mondo bizantino, Treccani on-line, il testo è disponibile online: http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/l-archeologia-delle-pratiche-funerarie-periodo-tardoantico-e-medievale-e-mondo-bizantino_%28Il-Mondo-dell%27Archeologia%29/

Ward-Perkins B., 2008, La caduta di Roma e la fine della civiltà, Bari. 

General part: 

Augenti A., 2016, Archeologia dell'Italia Medievale, Bari (Laterza).

Monograpich part: 

Sacco D., 2020, Il castello di Monte Copiolo, la Casa dei duchi di Urbino, Bologna. 

NB.

We remind you that also the material on the excavation of the "Settefinestre villa" and of the "domus del chirurgo di Rimini", present on the blended platform, constitutes a study text. 

Assessment

Oral examination. The examination consists of a few questions on the study texts. The questions are proposed in the form of a conversation.

The following will be awarded marks from excellent to very good (30 and praise-27): the student's possession of very good/very good critical and in-depth study skills; the ability to link together the topics addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language in relation to the specific nature of the discipline.
Good to fair assessments (26-23) will be given: the student's possession of mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relative critical capacity and ability to connect the topics covered: the use of appropriate language.
Sufficient assessments (22-18): the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics dealt with, despite some formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.
The following will result in negative assessments: difficulties in the orientation of the student with regard to the topics dealt with in the examination texts; formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

NB

Third-year students who did not choose Medieval Archaeology I in their second year may include it in their study plan and take it in their third year.

In addition to Medieval Archaeology I, it is also advisable to include among the elective exams: "Communication strategies and valorisation of cultural heritage" assigned to the "Information, Media and Advertising" course, which will be held in the second semester. 

Attendance of at least 2/3 of the lectures for students who intend to take the exam as attending students.