73761 - Late Ancient and Medieval Archaeology

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course students know the most important and the newest historical-archaeological and artistic frameworks of history, archaeology and artistic culture (architecture, excavations, sculptures, iconographical and stylistic features) from the 5th-6th century to the 12th century.

Course contents

This course has two parts, one general and one monographic, addressed by the lecturers within both modules. It will include:

• 16 hours of in-class lecture in which the forms of settlement  between Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages will be addressed (with particular regard to the encastellation), discussing the historiographical debate;
• 40 hours of on-site teaching at the site of Rontana castle  (8 hours per day between June - July 2026):  archaeological work (from the masonry technique to  stratigraphy) and practical activities, including excavation, survey, and study of the finds.

This  formula experimented from a.y. 2022-2023 allows students to benefit from a unique experience, which cannot overlap with other courses, and to achieve teaching and training objectives easily and effectively.
The course is linked to the lecturers' research and includes the possibility for students to participate in archaeological excavations and the study of artefacts from the Late Antique and Medieval contexts.

Readings/Bibliography

General introduction (for all students):

• Enrico Cirelli, Archeologia e cultura materiale nel medioevo, BUP, Bologna, 2020.
• Aldo Settia, Castelli medievali, il Mulino, Bologna, 2017.

Recomended readings (mandatory for non-attending students):

Lorenzo Tanzini e Francesco Paolo Tosco, Un Medioevo mediterraneo, Carocci editore, Roma, 2020.

Gian Pietro Brogiolo, Aurora Cagnana, Archeologia dell’architettura – metodi e interpretazioni, SAMI – Metodi e Temi dell'Archeologia Medievale 3, All'Insegna del Giglio, Firenze, 2012.

Monographic course: Castles in Medieval Italy (for all students):

• Enrico Cirelli, Debora Ferreri, Il castello di Rontana. Racconto di una scoperta archeologica, Associazione Culturale Terra, Ravenna, 2025.

Recomended readings (mandatory for non-attending students):

Enrico Cirelli, Debora Ferreri, Vivere e morire nel castello di Rontana. Lo sfruttamento del gesso in un castello di fondazione medievale, in Lo sfruttamento del gesso in un insediamento di fondazione medievale nella vallata del Lamone, in LUCCI S., PIASTRA S. (a cura di), I gessi di Brisighella e Rontana, Memorie dell’Istituto Italiano di Speleologia s. II, 28, pp. 545-568.

(https://www.academia.edu/13437275/VIVERE_E_MORIRE_NEL_CASTELLO_DI_RONTANA._LO_SFRUTTAMENTO_DEL_GESSO_IN_UN_INSEDIAMENTO_DI_FONDAZIONE_MEDIEVALE_DELLA_VALLATA_DEL_LAMONE)

Debora Ferreri, Enrico Cirelli, Le trasformazioni della vallata del Lamone e dei passi Appenninici tra Esarcato e Regno d’Italia nel Medioevo (VI-XII secolo), in Medioevo nelle valli. Insediamento, società, economia nei comprensori di valle tra Alpi e Appennini, a cura di Federico Marazzi e Chiara Raimondo, Volturnia edizioni, 2019, pp. 101-117.

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures, on-site work, direct engagement with archaeological evidence, and discussion of the presented data with students. Further in-depth sessions will also be offered in the presence of materials (in the laboratory).

Assessment methods

The exam aims to assess the achievement of the following learning objectives:

• in-depth knowledge of the topics and critical tools presented during lectures or acquired through the assigned readings;

• ability to apply these tools to analyze the archaeological contexts proposed by the examiner;

• understanding of one’s own interpretative position and critical analysis of the relevant historiography.

The exam is conducted orally and graded on a 30-point scale. Students will be asked to critically discuss the assigned historiography, the excavation context related to the on-site experience, and any excavation tools and methods. Students must bring the required texts to the exam.

In accordance with the University’s guidelines, please note that:

• the demonstration of a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in class or in the readings, along with their critical use, expressive fluency, and mastery of the subject-specific terminology, will be awarded top marks (28–30);

• mostly mechanical and/or rote knowledge of the subject, limited ability to summarize or analyze, and/or the use of generally correct but not always appropriate language will result in fair marks (23–27);

• gaps in knowledge and/or inappropriate language—albeit within a minimal understanding of the exam materials—will result in marks not exceeding the passing grade (18–22);

• significant gaps in knowledge, inappropriate language, and a lack of familiarity with the bibliographic materials provided during the course will result in a failing grade.

Teaching tools

During the lessons, sites and topics will be presented through simple screen projections, as well as floor plans and texts distributed in class and made available to non-attending students on Virtuale.unibo.it.

During the on-site excavation, archaeological and precision instruments provided by the archaeological mission will be used.

Students who, due to disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD), require compensatory tools are invited to inform the instructor of their needs so that they can be referred to the appropriate support staff and agree on the most suitable arrangements.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Cristina Carile

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