Archaeology of the Middle Ages

Time and Location

M 7:20-10:10 PM
Flint 013

Description

Although in existence since the nineteenth century in many European countries, the discipline of medieval archaeology is relatively new. Today, no serious historian can ignore the great contributions of archaeology to the study of the Middle Ages without the risk of missing a fundamental category of sources. Medieval archaeology studies the past through a variety of sources, even though it makes primary use of material remains. That medieval archaeologists integrate the material evidence with other source materials, particularly with written sources, has implication for the theory, methods, and teaching of medieval archaeology. In that respect, the discipline appears to be both inter- and transdisciplinary. Ultimately, medieval archaeology is an historical archaeology, in that genuine archaeological sources are tied up within a framework of parallel records, including written and pictorial sources. Since the challenge for historians of the Middle Ages is to understand the subject of their studies through a multitude of sources, this course will offer a window into the realm of possibilities offered by the discipline of medieval archaeology. The goal is not comprehensive coverage. Instead, a selection of relevant topics was made with the purpose of inviting discussion of the ways in which medieval archaeology can be used for historical analysis.

As this is a graduate level course, I assume that everyone enrolled has a basic familiarity with the resources available in the library and is willing to use foreign language sources when appropriate. I also assume that everyone knows the mechanics of researching and writing a scholarly paper. By this, I mean the proper use and acknowledgment of sources as well as the fundamentals of compositions, (English) grammar, and spelling.

The format of this course will be reading- and discussion-oriented. In lieu of written examinations, I will require a brief (3-5 page) essay on the readings each week, due in class on the day that they are to be discussed. You are also to complete a substantial research paper on a relevant topic. After we finish with the core set of required readings, I will expect you to locate and read sources on your own, then come to class prepared to discuss them. I have found this to be the most effective way to learn about a topic which is best examined through case studies. Requirements for the course include attendance at class meetings, participation in class discussion, and the timely completion of all assignments.

Assignments

There will be ten review essays. Each essay should be between three and five typed pages and all of them are worth 50 percent of your overall grade. Within the first month of the course, you must consult with me on selection of topic and bibliography for your research paper. That paper is worth 40  percent of your overall grade. Finally, the presentation of your paper in the final colloquium is worth another 10 percent.

In writing papers, be certain to give proper credit whenever you use words, phrases, ideas, arguments, and conclusions drawn from someone else’s work. Failure to give credit by quoting and/or footnoting is plagiarism and is unacceptable. Please review the University’s honesty policy.

Required Texts

  • Neil Christie, From Constantine to Charlemagne. An Archaeology of Italy, AD 300-800. Aldershot/Burlington: Ashgate, 2006.
  • O. H. Creighton, Castles and Landscapes. Power, Community, and Fortification in Medieval England. London/New York: Equinox, 2005; on two-hour reserve in Library West
  • J. Patrick Greene, Medieval Monasteries. London: Continuum, 2005.
  • Helena Hamerow, Early Medieval Settlements. The Archaeology of Rural Communities in North-West Europe, 400-900. Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press, 2002; on two-hour reserve in Library West
  • Jan Kl�pštĕ, The Czech Lands in Medieval Transformation. Leiden: Brill, 2012.
  • John Moreland, Archaeology and Text. London: Duckworth, 2001; on two-hour reserve in Library West.
  • Matthew Johnson, Archaeological Theory. An Introduction, 2nd edition. Chichester/Maldon: Willey-Blackwell, 2010
  • Naomi Jane Sykes, The Norman Conquest. A Zoological Perspective. Oxford: Archaeopress, 2007; on two-hour reserve in Library West.
  • Joanita Vroom, After Antiquity. Ceramics and Society in the Aegean from the 7th to the 20th Century A. C. A Case Study from Boeotia, Central Greece. Leiden: Faculty of Archaeology, 2003; on two-hour reserve in Library West.
  • Howard Williams, Death and Memory in Early Medieval Britain. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006
  • (optional) Medieval Archaeology. An Encyclopedia. Edited by Pam J. Crabtree. New York: Garland, 2001.