LATE ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL ARCHAEOLOGY

The course is part of the archaeology teaching within the Master’s degree programme in "Scienze dell'antichità: archeologia, letterature e storia" and belongs to the Archaeology: Europe and the Mediterranean curriculum. In particular, it is included among the subjects of the classical and medieval track and serves as a natural complement to the course Archaeology of the Modern and Contemporary Period.
The skills acquired can also be effectively applied in the broader fields of history (especially medieval and modern history), cultural anthropology, and medieval art history.
The course provides a diachronic overview of the Po Valley from Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages, examining the transformation of the Roman world, the emergence of new settlement patterns, and the role of cities, emporia, castles, and religious institutions in territorial reorganization. It also explores the “revival around the year 1000” through material culture and concludes with a focus on Venice, analyzed within the broader Mediterranean economic and production systems.

Attendance and active participation in the activities proposed (lectures, thematic in-depth seminars, and materials laboratory), along with individual study, will enable students to:

1. Knowledge and Understanding
- To understand the research methodologies applied to the study of material culture in the medieval context.
- To identify the main classes of materials used in medieval archaeology research.
- To comprehend the geography and chronological framework of the primary material types.
- To be familiar with the main findings of recent archaeological research in the city of Venice.

2. Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
- To chronologically frame classes and types of materials, with particular reference to glass and ceramics.
- To conduct an analysis of intra- and inter-site exchanges and trade based on material culture.
- To identify and analyze the factors of territorial organization in medieval and early modern cities, highlighting the underlying economic and social dynamics.

3. Judgement and communications Skills
- To formulate hypotheses and argue the dynamics of development and diffusion of objects, techniques, and ideas.
- To develop a critical approach to the evaluation of alternative hypotheses.
- To describe objects and their related ideas using technical language, appropriate terminology, and in a critical manner.
- To critically consult bibliographic tools useful for addressing in-depth studies and sector-specific research.

Preferable but not mandatory to have knowledge of archaeological research methodology and basic general knowledge of medieval and modern history.

The course offers a diachronic overview of the Po Valley from Late Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages, focusing on key archaeological debates surrounding this period of major transformation. It examines the crisis and reorganization of the Roman world, including the decline and transformation of cities and villas, as well as the emergence of new populations, material cultures, and landscapes.
Particular attention is given to the development of new urban forms and trade centers—especially Venice and other early medieval emporia—as well as to the role of castles, churches, and monasteries in shaping territorial and power structures.
The second part explores the “Rinascita del 1000” through material culture, analyzing key artifact categories (e.g. amphorae, glazed ceramics, glass) and emphasizing recycling practices in medieval economies.
The course concludes with a focus on medieval Venice, examining archaeological and topographical evidence to understand its urban development and its role within broader economic networks of the Po Valley and the Mediterranean.

Ferri, Margherita. Il vetro nell’alto Adriatico fra V e XV secolo. Sesto Fiorentino: All’Insegna del Giglio, 2022 [pp. 70-114]
S. Gasparri, S. Gelichi, Le isole del rifugio. Venezia prima di Venezia, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2024.
GELICHI, Sauro, et al. Food and STONES: Ships, Trade, Objects, Networks, Economy, Society Atti di Convegno (Venezia, 9-11 maggio 2024). 2026.
GELICHI, Sauro, et al. Medioevo svelato. Storie dell'Emilia Romagna attraverso l'archeologia. Ante Quem, 2018.
Molinari, Alessandra. «Le anfore medievali come proxy per la storia degli scambi mediterranei tra VIII e XIII secolo?» Archeologia medievale, 2018, 293–306.
Molinari, Alessandra. "La pietrificazione del costruito nell'Europa meridionale del pieno Medioevo: considerazioni comparative dalla prospettiva archeologica." La pietrificazione del costruito nell'Europa meridionale del pieno Medioevo: considerazioni comparative dalla prospettiva archeologica (2021): 275-287.
Sainsbury, Victoria A., et al. "Mutable objects, places and chronologies." Antiquity 95.379 (2021): 215-227.

The teaching involves the active participation of students during the lessons.
During the course, two or three articles will be selected for the preparation of bibliographic summaries, which will be discussed in class and later reviewed during the oral exam.
At the end of the course, an oral examination will be conducted to assess learning through some open-ended questions and a discussion regarding the specific articles related to the bibliographic summaries.
The assessment aims to verify the acquisition of fundamental knowledge of the discipline as well as argumentative and synthesis skills, and mastery of scientific vocabulary.
More specifically, a basic knowledge of course content, contextualizing topics chronologically and using appropriate technical language, results in a sufficient grade (18-24/30); a good knowledge of course content, effectively framing topics chronologically and contextually, using technical language, and applying a critical approach, results in a good grade (25-28/30); a comprehensive understanding of course content, mastering complexities, critically contextualizing topics, linking to broader phenomena, offering original interpretations, and demonstrating critical reflection, results in an excellent grade (29-30/30).

oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

- A grade between 18 and 24 out of 30 is considered sufficient: the student is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the course content by contextualizing the topics discussed from a chronological and contextual perspective and using appropriate technical language.
- A grade between 25 and 28 out of 30 is considered good: the student is able to demonstrate a good knowledge of the course content by contextually and chronologically framing the topics discussed, using appropriate technical language, and arguing with a critical approach.
- A grade of 29 and 30 out of 30 is considered excellent: the student is able to show a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the course content, mastering the nuances, connections, and more complex implications, critically and articulately contextualizing the topics, linking course content to broader historical and contemporary phenomena, providing original interpretations, and demonstrating a capacity for critical reflection on the issues addressed.

The teaching requires the active participation of students during the lessons.
The course includes lectures and seminars (oral presentations in turns, participation in class discussions).
The exact schedule of lessons and topics will be provided at the beginning of the course and may also include visits to museum sites, to be arranged based on students' interests.
The materials used during the lessons will be available on Moodle for everyone.
A detailed list of the topics covered, corresponding teaching materials, and related bibliography is made available to everyone on Moodle.

Please contact the professor for further information on the supplementary activities of the Medieval Archeology Laboratory (field work, study of materials).

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Circular economy, innovation, work" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development