Guide in PDF format
Logo

Agrarian Archaeology in the Middle Ages

Code: 100331
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
History OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Ferran Esquilache Marti
Email :
ferran.esquilache@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Helena Kirchner Granell
Raúl Muñoz Céspedes

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

Reading in English. Use of digital drawing tools (GIS).

Objectives

To understand the current state of research in archaeological studies of medieval and early modern landscapes; to become familiar with the specific methodologies used in the study of preindustrial rural spaces; to connect archaeological investigations with major historiographical debates concerning the medieval and early modern peasantry; and to identify the general characteristics of medieval agricultural systems through archaeological and textual evidence.

Learning outcomes

  1. Submitting works in accordance with both individual and small group demands and personal styles.
  2. Autonomously searching, selecting and processing information both from structured sources (databases, bibliographies, specialized magazines) and from across the network. Expertly making use of the possibilities of Internet.
  3. Using the specific technical and interpretational vocabulary of the discipline.
  4. Recognising the importance of controlling the quality of the work results and their presentation.
  5. Applying both knowledge and capacity for analysis to the resolution of problems related to the field of study.
  6. Transmitting the results of archaeological research and clearly communicating conclusions in oral and written form to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  7. Applying the appropriate techniques and analytical tools to the case studies.
  8. Mastering the specific techniques and instrumental resources of the archaeological excavations and surveys.
  9. Mastering the techniques and instrumental resources of the analysis of the archaeological laboratory.
  10. Using computing tools, both basics (word processor or databases, for example) and specialised software needed in the professional practice of archaeology.
  11. Interpreting the results coming from the archaeological fieldwork placing them into their historical context.
  12. Applying implementing protocols of fieldwork and sample collection.
  13. Recognising and implementing the following teamwork skills: commitment to teamwork, habit of cooperation, ability to participate in the problem solving processes.
  14. Establishing research protocols for original research projects.
  15. Reflecting on their own work and the immediate environment's in order to continuously improve it.

Contents

Theory

  1. Introduction: Why an archaeology of medieval and early modern landscapes?
  2. The transition from Antiquity: landscape in early medieval Europe
  3. Changes introduced by feudalism in the organization and management of the landscape
  4. A new landscape model: the society of al-Andalus and the Islamic world
  5. The impact of feudal conquests on late medieval landscapes
  6. Landscape transformations in the early modern period in Europe and the Americas


Classroom Practice

  • Exercises using GIS technology and others exercises


Fieldwork

  • Participation in a field activity and submission of the corresponding report

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Advisory tutorials for the preparation of assignments (oral and written) and for the study of theoretical and practical content 25 1
Individual study; completion of the assignments required for assessment 75 3
Lectures delivered by the teaching staff; classroom practice exercises 39 1.56

Guided activities: theoretical and practical classes
Supervised activities: planning and solving practical exercises; conducting fieldwork activities.
Autonomous activities: reading and interpreting archaeological studies on territory, settlement, or agrarian spaces; developing analytical and synthesis skills; communicating effectively in oral and written form; completing theoretical and practical exercises.

Note: 15 minutes of one class session, within the timetable set by the faculty/degree programme, will be allocated for students to complete surveys evaluating the lecturer’s performance and the course/module.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Practical exercises (PAUL) 25% 5 0.2 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Two written tests (theory) 60% 3 0.12 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Report on Field Practices (PCAM) 15% 3 0.12 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
  1. Theory: A written test divided into two partial exams → 60% of the final grade (30% each exam)
  2. PAUL: A practical exercise → 25% of the final grade
  3. PCAM: A report on the Field Practices → 15% of the final grade

The minimum final grade required to pass the course is 5, calculated as the weighted average of all assessment activities. Only grades equal to or higher than 5 in the theory exams and equal to or higher than 3.5 in the practical components will be considered for the final average. Any lower grade will require the student to retake the corresponding assessment.

A student will be recorded as "Not Assessed" if they have failed to submit more than 30% of the assessment tasks and will not be eligible for the resit assessment.

Fieldwork cannot be retaken.

If any irregularity is detected that could significantly alter the grade of an assessment activity, the score for that activity will be 0, regardless of any disciplinary action that may follow. In cases of multiple irregularities within the same course, the final grade will be 0.

This subject entirely prohibits the use of AI technologies in all of its activities. Any submitted work that contains content generated using AI will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade will be awarded a zero, without the possibility of reassessment. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.

At the time of each assessment activity, students will be informed about the procedure and the date for reviewing grades.

This course does not include a single-assessment option.

Bibliography

Araneda, Edgardo (2002). “Usos de Sistemas de Información Geográficos y análisis espacial en arqueología: Proyecciones y limitacions”. Estudios Atacameños, 22, 59–76.

Ballesteros Arias, Paula; Kirchner, Helena; Eiroa, Jorge; Fernández Mier, Margarita; Ortega Ortega, Julian; Quirós Castillo, José Antonio; Retamero, Fèlix; Sitjes, Eugènia; Torró, Josep; Vigil-Escalera Guirado, Alfonso (2010). \"Por una arqueología agraria de las sociedades medievales hispánicas. Propuesta de un protocolo de investigación\". En H. Kirchner, ed., Por una arqueología agraria: perspectivas de investigación sobre espacios de cultivo en las sociedades medievales hispánicas. Archeopress, Oxford, p. 185-202.

Baydal, Vicent; Esquilache, Ferran, eds. (2023). La herencia reconstruida. Crecimiento agrario y transformaciones del paisaje tras las conquistas de al-Andalus (siglos XII-XVI). Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana.

Chouquer, Gérard (2015). Les parcellaires médiévaux en Émilie et Romagne. Centuriation et trames coaxiales. París: France Internationale pour l’Expertise Foncière.

Esquilache, Ferran (2018). Els constructors de l’Horta de València. Origen, evolució i estructura social d'una gran horta andalusina entre els segles VIII i XIII. PUV, València.

Fernández Mier, Margarita (2018). "De la Arqueología del paisaje a la Arqueología Agraria". Juan Antonio Quirós Ed. Treinta años de arqueología medieval en España. Archaeopress, Oxford, 225-270.

Kirchner, Helena (2020). "Arqueología del campesinado en época alto medieval. Reflexiones y propuestas". Imago Temporis Medium Aevum, 14, p.462-497.

Lavigne, Cédric (2002). Essai sur la planification agraire au Moyen Age. Ausonius, Burdeus.

Ligang, C., i Xuben, W. (2014). “GIS for Archaeological data”. International Journal on Smart Sensing and Intelligent Systems, 7(3), p. 1347–1363.

Martín Viso, Iñaki (2016). Asentamientos y paisajes rurales en el Occidente medieval. Síntesis. Madrid.

Martín Viso, Iñaki (2025). Las miradas y las prácticas. Perspectivas sobre los paisajes rurales del Occidente medieval. Editorial Universidad de Cadiz, Cadis.

Quirós, J.A. ed. (2016) Social complexity in Early Medieval rural communities. The North-Western Iberia. Archaeopress, Oxford.

Torró, Josep; Guinot, Enric, eds. (2012). Hidráulica agraria y sociedad feudal. Prácticas, técnicas, espacios. PUV, València.

Torró, Josep; Guinot, Enric, eds. (2018). Trigo y ovejas. El impacto de las conquistas en los paisajes andalusíes (siglos XI-XVI). PUV, València.

Software

No

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE