“…(un uomo) sono sempre tentato di vederlo chiuso in un destino ch’egli fabbrica a stento, in un paesaggio che disegna dietro e davanti a lui le prospettive infinite della “lunga durata”.”
F. Braudel, La Méditerranée et le Monde méditerranéen
à l’époque de Philippe II, 1949.
Rodolfo Brancato, scientific head of the Laboratory, teaches Archaeology of Landscapes for the three-year degree course in Archaeology, History of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Sciences (P14) at the University of Naples ‘Federico II’.
The Archaeology of Landscapes course provides students with a solid theoretical-methodological basis for the historical interpretation of settlements and the territory in a diachronic perspective. Through the analysis of case studies, particularly in the Mediterranean area, the theories and methods of landscape archaeology, which studies the interaction between human communities and the surrounding environment, will be explored. The landscape is considered as a palimpsest of signs in continuous transformation, analysing its dynamism, changes over time and the human-environment relationship.
Learning objectives
- To examine methodologies for the analysis and interpretation of Mediterranean archaeological landscapes and their diachronic development.
- Illustrate the application of interdisciplinary approaches to the study of the relationships between human communities and the environment.
- To experiment with digital cartographic tools for the analysis of the archaeological landscape.
- To stimulate communication skills through the production of papers on topics discussed in the classroom.
Expected learning outcomes
- Knowledge and understanding: Acquisition of a solid theoretical basis on landscape archaeology, from its origins to the most recent methodologies. Ability to analyse and discuss the processes of territorialisation and the development of urban and rural landscapes in the Mediterranean.
- Application of knowledge: Ability to use operational tools for research on ancient landscapes, including archaeological survey techniques, remote sensing, geophysics and spatial analysis with GIS software.
- Autonomy of judgement: Ability to critically evaluate research methodologies, comparing theoretical sources and case studies.
- Communication skills: Appropriate use of the technical language of the discipline and ability to present and argue with scientific rigour the results of the research conducted.
- Learning skills: Development of autonomy in the study and continuous updating through reading of essays, participation in conferences and experimentation with digital tools for landscape analysis.
Course programme The course is divided into four modules:
- Introduction to landscape archaeology: history of the discipline, theories and presentation of case studies.
- Analysis methodologies: archaeological survey techniques, non-invasive surveys, geoarchaeology and palaeoenvironmental research.
- Settlement systems in the Mediterranean world: study of spatial organisation and infrastructure.
- Archaeological mapping and GIS: practical application of digital tools for the analysis and representation of archaeological landscapes, with a focus on Digital Humanities.
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