OBC120 - LATE ANTIQUE AND EARLY MEDIEVAL ARCHAEOLOGY

courses

ID:

OBC120

Duration (hours):

42

CFU:

SSD:

ARCHEOLOGIA CRISTIANA E MEDIEVALE

Located in:

CHIETI

Url:

Course Details:

CULTURAL HERITAGE/ARCHEOLOGIA Year: 1

Year:

2025

Course Catalogue:

https://unich.coursecatalogue.cineca.it/af/2025?co...

Date/time interval

Secondo Semestre (01/03/2026 - 31/05/2026)

Course Objectives

The course contributes to the foundational training in the field of historical and archaeological disciplines, offering students an initial critical understanding of the processes of transformation that affected societies between the end of the ancient world and the early Middle Ages. It enables the acquisition of knowledge relating to the main settlement, funerary, productive, and religious contexts between the 4th and 9th centuries, providing conceptual and methodological tools for the interpretation of material evidence and the historical-archaeological contextualization of data.
The course aims to develop the ability to analyse, interpret, and communicate archaeological data from an interdisciplinary perspective, in line with the general learning objectives of the degree programme and with the basic preparation required for potential further studies in archaeology and history at the master’s level.
Expected Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Knowledge

Understand the main historical and cultural phenomena of Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages.

Recognize the principal types of archaeological contexts (urban, rural, funerary, religious) between the 4th and 9th centuries.

Comprehend the basic concepts of historical periodization and archaeological interpretation for Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages.

Skills

Apply basic interpretative tools to the analysis of material sources and archaeological contexts studied during the course.

Relate archaeological evidence to broader historical frameworks and long-term developments.

Making Judgements

Develop an initial critical approach to the reading of archaeological sources, with attention to the potential and limitations of different categories of data.

Communication Skills

Clearly present the knowledge acquired, using appropriate language in both written and oral forms.

Participate actively and thoughtfully in discussions and seminar activities.

Learning Skills

Strengthen study methods useful for the autonomous consultation of introductory and core bibliography.

Develop learning abilities that support the continuation of studies in the historical and archaeological fields.
Transversal Skills (Dublin Descriptors A4.c)

Develop an initial level of independent judgment in the interpretation of historical and settlement dynamics.

Communicate acquired knowledge clearly and accurately, including in written or graphic form.

Strengthen learning abilities and the capacity for autonomous re-elaboration of interdisciplinary content.

Course Prerequisites

A general background in history and geography, especially concerning the historical periodization from Antiquity to the Middle Ages, may support a more effective learning experience.There are no specific prerequisites, and no formal prerequisites are required for enrollment in this course.

Teaching Methods

Teaching is primarily delivered through in-class lectures, supported by multimedia materials and case study presentations aimed at introducing students to the analysis of the historical landscape from an archaeological and topographical perspective.The course also includes guided practical sessions focused on the reading and interpretation of cartographic sources and territorial data, as well as an introduction to basic digital tools.Learning activities may also involve educational visits to archaeological sites or museums, in order to enhance students’ direct understanding of settlement dynamics and documentation methods.All activities are designed to promote active learning and to encourage student participation, in line with the course objectives.

Assessment Methods

The final assessment will take the form of an oral exam, aimed at verifying the student’s understanding of the course content, the skills developed, their ability to critically re-elaborate the content, and their command of the discipline-specific vocabulary.
The interview will cover the entire syllabus and may include the analysis and discussion of images and archaeological contexts.
During the interview, the student is expected to:

demonstrate a solid understanding of the main course topics, with particular focus on settlement transformations, material culture, and the types of archaeological sources;

organise the acquired knowledge in a coherent and well-argued manner, showing the ability to connect historical phenomena, case studies, and analytical tools typical of Late Antique and Early Medieval archaeology;

develop a critical argument in response to examples or problems presented, also through guided commentary on images and contexts;

communicate clearly and effectively, using technical language appropriately and accurately.

The final grade will be expressed on a scale of thirty (minimum passing grade: 18/30; maximum: 30/30 with distinction).
The evaluation criteria are as follows:

Knowledge of content (up to 12/30)

Analytical and critical thinking skills (up to 10/30)

Quality of presentation and use of technical vocabulary (up to 8/30)

The sum of the partial scores will determine the final grade.
Optional supplementary activities (practical exercises, short written assignments, additional readings) may be taken into consideration for the overall evaluation, in agreement with the instructor, but are neither mandatory nor a substitute for the final exam.
The assessment methods are consistent with the expected learning outcomes and are designed to distinguish between different levels of competence and autonomy achieved by the student.

Texts

F. R. Stasolla, Archeologia del Medioevo, Milano 2023, pp. 21-102.
A. Augenti, Archeologia dell'Italia medievale, Bari 2016, pp. 27-68; 82-157; 224-230; 239-257.
G. P. Brogiolo - A. Chavarrìa Arnau, Archeologia postclassica, Roma 2020, pp. 27-80.

All of the texts listed above will be available on the Moodle platform.
Additional bibliographic references may be provided by the lecturer during the course.

The course offers a critical introduction to the archaeology of the Late Antique and Early Medieval periods (4th–9th centuries), with particular attention to the transformation of settlement patterns, funerary practices, production systems, and landscapes in relation to the historical processes marking the transition from the Roman world to the early Middle Ages.
The main topics covered include:

Historical framework and periodization: definition and chronological boundaries of Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages; main archaeological and historiographical sources.

Urban transformations: continuity, reuse, and abandonment of Late Antique urban spaces; the evolution of urban topography between the 4th and 7th centuries.

Rural settlements: transformation of the villa system; emergence and development of villages.

Religious architecture and Christianization of space: places of worship, martyrial complexes, and forms of Christian monumental architecture.

Funerary contexts and burial practices: Late Antique necropolises; collective Christian cemeteries; Early Medieval graves; funerary rituals.

Material culture and craft production: ceramics, metal objects, and everyday artefacts; technologies, stylistic trends, and exchange networks.

Mobility, migrations, and cultural identities: Germanic settlements; cultural interactions between ruling elites and local populations.

The course aims to provide students with critical tools for the interpretation of material evidence and for understanding the historical transformations between Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages, through an integrated approach combining archaeological data and territorial context.

Course Language

Italian

More information

During the teaching semester, the lecturer is available for student meetings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Outside the teaching period, office hours are held on Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Students are encouraged to contact the instructor via email at sonia.antonelli@unich.it for any inquiries or to schedule an appointment.