C9392 - Archaeological Landscapes (LM)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will understand and contextualize the approaches to the study of landscape in archaeology. They will know the main sources, the methods, tools and strategies applicable to the different contexts and scales of analysis. They will also display awareness of the multidisciplinary nature of the subject, the importance of dialogue with subsidiary sciences and specialists in the study of landscape, and the various entities responsible for protecting, planning and managing the territory. They will have an updated understanding of the evolution of the discipline and of the current international scientific debate. They will have a global and critical approach to the study of the ancient landscape, attentive to both geographical, natural and anthropic aspects, whilst maintaining archaeological and historical research problems in central place. They will be versed in the main diagnostic non-invasive survey methods and know how to choose the most appropriate ones according to variables in the environmental and cultural context. They will participate in debates on the contribution of information sources and methods of investigation and diagnosis.

Course contents

The course focuses on the concepts, methods, procedures and techniques concerning the archaeological research on the landscape. The main keywords, sources, issues and approaches to the discipline will be presented and discussed, with particular attention to the most recent experiences in the Mediterranean area. From the first pioneering projects, the principal stages of the evolution of the subject matter will be exposed, introducing the most innovative lines of research and future perspectives.

The three main objectives of the contemporary discipline will be addressed: reconstruction of the landscapes of the past, proactive conservation of the contemporary landscape, public and social dissemination of knowledge.

Through the presentation of different case studies, the potentialities, methods of investigation, problems and the most suitable solutions in relation to different archaeological and geographical contexts will be analyzed. Furthermore, the importance of a diachronic, holistic and multidisciplinary approach will be strongly promoted, including discussion of the possibilities offered by subsidiary disciplines, such as geology, geomorphology and other sciences, as well as the involvement of other specialists.

A special emphasis will be given to non-invasive methods of exploration and mapping of subsoil and landscape, such as field walking surveys, remote sensing techniques, aerial photography and geophysical prospections. In all cases, methods and practices will be considered in relation to different environmental, topographical and archaeological conditions and problems.

Readings/Bibliography

Students attending the course

In addition to their own lecture notes, students are expected to study the following readings to develop a critical understanding of the topics covered during the course and prepare for the oral examination:

• B. David, J. Thomas (eds.), Handbook of Landscape Archaeology. Routledge, 2012. Required chapters: 1, 36, 37, 55 and 56.
• C. Musson, R. Palmer, S. Campana (eds.), Flights into the Past. Aerial Photography, Photo Interpretation and Mapping for Archaeology. Heidelberg, 2013.
• C. Gaffney, J. Gater, Revealing the Buried Past. Geophysics for Archaeologists. Tempus Publishing, 2003.

Students not attending the course

Students who do not attend the course will take the same oral examination but are required to prepare a broader bibliography.

Required reading:

• B. David, J. Thomas (eds.), Handbook of Landscape Archaeology. Routledge, 2012. Required chapters: 1, 35, 36, 37, 38, 42, 54, 55, 56, 57.

In addition, students must choose one of the following volumes:

• M. Johnson, Ideas of Landscape. Wiley, 2006.
• P. Johnson, M. Millett (eds.), Archaeological Survey and the City. Oxbow Books, 2012.
• C. Musson, R. Palmer, S. Campana (eds.), Flights into the Past. Aerial Photography, Photo Interpretation and Mapping for Archaeology. Heidelberg, 2013.
• S. Campana, S. Piro (eds.), Seeing the Unseen. Geophysics and Landscape Archaeology. CRC Press, 2009.
• F. Boschi (ed.), Looking to the Future, Caring for the Past. Preventive Archaeology in Theory and Practice. Bononia University Press, 2016.
• C. Haselgrove, M. Millett, I. Smith (eds.), Archaeology from the Ploughsoil. Studies in the Collection and Interpretation of Field Survey Data. Collins, 2007.
• C. Gaffney, J. Gater, Revealing the Buried Past. Geophysics for Archaeologists. Tempus Publishing, 2003.
• F. Vermeulen, G.-J. Burgers, S. Keay, C. Corsi (eds.), Urban Landscape Survey in Italy and the Mediterranean. Oxbow Books, 2012.
• S. Campana, Mapping the Archaeological Continuum. Springer, 2018.
• C. Corsi, B. Slapšak, F. Vermeulen (eds.), Good Practice in Archaeological Diagnostics. Non-invasive Survey of Complex Archaeological Sites. Springer, 2013.
• J. Mills, R. Palmer (eds.), Populating Clay Landscapes. Tempus Publishing, 2007.
• R. Opitz, D. Cowley (eds.), Interpreting Archaeological Topography. 3D Data, Visualisation and Observation. Oxbow Books, 2013.

Teaching methods

The course combines lectures with seminar sessions and class discussions focusing on the principal themes covered in the programme. Students will be encouraged to engage critically with selected readings and archaeological case studies.

The course also includes practical demonstrations of non-invasive survey techniques and instruments commonly employed in archaeological fieldwork.

Students wishing to further develop the practical component of the course may apply to participate in the Laboratory of Geophysics and Non-Invasive Survey (https://corsi.unibo.it/magistrale/archeologia/laboratorio-di-geofisica-e-indagini-non-invasive ), offered by the Department. The laboratory represents the natural practical extension of the course, providing hands-on experience in survey design, data acquisition, processing, and interpretation. Participation in the laboratory enables students to earn the credits allocated to the Department's Laboratory and Excavation (1) and Laboratory and Excavation (2) activities.

Among the fieldwork opportunities associated with the course, students may also take part in the excavations at the Picene and Roman Necropolis of Corinaldo (ArcheoNevola Project: https://site.unibo.it/archeonevola/it), and in the non-invasive landscape surveys conducted as part of the SEARCH Project (https://site.unibo.it/archeonevola/it/il-progetto-search). Participation is subject to the availability of places and the specific requirements of each project.

Assessment methods

Assessment consists of an oral examination.

During the oral examination, students will discuss the theoretical and methodological topics covered in the course and present an archaeological case study of their choice, agreed upon in advance with the instructor. The case study should demonstrate the student's ability to critically evaluate an archaeological context and to identify the most appropriate survey and non-invasive investigation strategies in relation to the research objectives and the characteristics of the site.

Regular attendance at lectures is recommended, as it will facilitate successful completion of the examination. Students who attend at least 75% of the scheduled classes will be regarded as attending students.

 

Examination schedule

Between January and September 2027, the course will offer at least six examination sessions, normally held at approximately monthly intervals, in accordance with the University's academic calendar.

Teaching tools

During the lessons dedicated Power Points, web and video resources will be constantly used.

The syllabus and other support material will be downloaded from the Online Teaching platform (Virtuale).

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

 

Office hours

See the website of Federica Boschi