Archaeology of Medieval and Modern Landscape
Code: 106869Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Archaeology | OB | 3 |
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
- CM16 (Apply space analysis and management tools to the methodological design of basic and applied archaeology work.) Apply space analysis and management tools to the methodological design of basic and applied archaeology work.
- CM17 (Identify the construction processes of social spaces (territory, landscape) in the past, recognising the anthropic footprint on natural environments, so they can be integrated into explanations of the past.) Identify the construction processes of social spaces (territory, landscape) in the past, recognising the anthropic footprint on natural environments, so they can be integrated into explanations of the past.
- KM26 (Recognise the contributions of architecture, geography, geology and paleoenvironmental disciplines, as well as developments in GIS resources and computer databases for the comprehensive development of archaeology.) Recognise the contributions of architecture, geography, geology and paleoenvironmental disciplines, as well as developments in GIS resources and computer databases for the comprehensive development of archaeology.
- KM27 (Archaeologically identify the expression in space of historical and social processes integrating a spatial perspective of analysis on various scales, from the regional level to that within the settlement.) Archaeologically identify the expression in space of historical and social processes integrating a spatial perspective of analysis on various scales, from the regional level to that within the settlement.
- SM26 (Analyse societies of the past from an understanding of the pattern of dispersion and spatial location of their archaeological remains.) Analyse societies of the past from an understanding of the pattern of dispersion and spatial location of their archaeological remains.
- SM27 (Demonstrate the patrimonial and scientific potential of archaeological sites, at the settlement level and at the regional or cultural landscape level.) Demonstrate the patrimonial and scientific potential of archaeological sites, at the settlement level and at the regional or cultural landscape level.
- SM28 (Apply cartographic, LIDAR, GIS and geobase resources for the representation and management of archaeological information, as well as the dissemination of heritage.) Apply cartographic, LIDAR, GIS and geobase resources for the representation and management of archaeological information, as well as the dissemination of heritage.
- SM29 (Use geobases and GIS resources in archaeology fieldwork, as well as in the study of archaeological materials and contexts.) Use geobases and GIS resources in archaeology fieldwork, as well as in the study of archaeological materials and contexts.
Contents
Theory
- Introduction: Why an archaeology of medieval and early modern landscapes?
- The transition from Antiquity: landscape in early medieval Europe
- Changes introduced by feudalism in the organization and management of the landscape
- A new landscape model: the society of al-Andalus and the Islamic world
- The impact of feudal conquests on late medieval landscapes
- 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 | CM16, CM17, KM26, KM27, SM26, SM27 |
| Individual study; completion of the assignments required for assessment | 75 | 3 | CM16, CM17, KM26, KM27, SM26, SM27, SM28, SM29 |
| Lectures delivered by the teaching staff; classroom practice exercises | 39 | 1.56 | CM17, KM26, KM27, SM26, SM27 |
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.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical exercises (PAUL) | 25% | 5 | 0.2 | CM16, CM17, KM27, SM26, SM28, SM29 |
| Report on Field Practices (PCAM) | 15% | 3 | 0.12 | CM16, CM17, KM26, KM27, SM26, SM27, SM28, SM29 |
| Two written tests (theory) | 60% | 3 | 0.12 | CM17, KM26, KM27, SM26, SM27 |
- Theory: A written test divided into two partial exams → 60% of the final grade (30% each exam)
- PAUL: A practical exercise → 25% of the final grade
- 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
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 11 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 12 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |