FF:AEB_A06b Introduction to Middel Ages - Course Information

AEB_A06b Introduction to medieval and modern archaeology

Extent and Intensity

2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching

Teacher(s)

doc. Dr. phil. Peter Milo (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Petr Hrubý, Ph.D. (lecturer)
PhDr. Jan Jílek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Jana Mazáčková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Renáta Přichystalová, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

doc. Dr. phil. Peter Milo
Department of Archaeology and Museology – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Šibíčková
Supplier department: Department of Archaeology and Museology – Faculty of Arts

Prerequisites

Previous Course AEB_A01 but it is not a prerequisite.

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 23 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/23, only registered: 0/23, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/23

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

there are 10 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Course objectives

The aim of the course is to present the current state of the archaeology of medieval and modern period. The course will focus on special archaeological topics corresponding in a different way to historical results. In parallel it will present the archaeological evidence from the end of the Migration Period till the 20th century and their reflection in historical sources. The historical line of knowledge will be directly confronted with archaeological finds and their credibility. There also will be differences in interpretation between these two disciplines. The main effort is to understand the historical context of each period. An important part of the course also is the direct involvement of students in the interpretation of historical development as well as specific events and their reflection in archaeological sources. Focus will be laid on groundbreaking historical events, warfare, elites, social development, everyday life, death, etc.

Learning outcomes

Student will be able to:
- identify and summarize the main features of various periods of the Middle Ages to the Modern Times
- describe the key issues of contemporary research on the Middle Ages and Modern Times
- analyze current scientific knowledge in archaeology
- compare the differences between historical and archaeological interpretations
- propose and explain a convenient method of research for different historical and archaeological topics

Syllabus

• 1. Historical events and their reflection in archaeological sources of the Migration Period: 5th century.
• 2. Historical events and their reflection in archaeological sources of the Migration Period: 6th century.
• 3. Ethnogenesis of Slavs and chronology of the early Middle Ages. Availability, character, value, analysis and interpretation of sources.
• 4. Avars, Franks, Bavarians and Hungarians. Non-Slavic ethnicities in written and archaeological sources and their cultural, political and social image.
• 5. Funeral practices and religious beliefs of the early Middle Ages.
• 6. From rural settlements to power centers. Early Middle Ages society, its structure and development.
• 7. Early Middle Ages (10th-12th century): political and economical development and its archaeological displays.
• 8. High Middle Ages: 13th century transformations and their archaeological displays.
• 9. Late Middle Ages: stabilisation and crisis of society, changes in settlement structures.
• 10. Long Late Middle Ages - transformations and the beginning of Early Modern Age.
• 11. Society, landscape and architecture - economic growth after the 30 Years' War.
• 12. 17th-18th century: transformation of society, economy, landscape and evidence of war conflicts

Literature

required literature
• Archaeology versus history - history versus archaeology, or, How to get to know the Middle Ages? Edited by Michał Brzostowicz - Maciej Przybył - Dariusz Andrzej Sikorski. Poznań: Poznańskie Towarzystvo Przyjaciół Nauk, 2012, 238 stran. ISBN 9788376541976. info
• GREENE, Kevin and Tom MOORE. Archaeology : an introduction. 5th ed. London: Routledge, 2010, xvii, 394. ISBN 9780415496391. info
• Archaeology : the key concepts. Edited by Colin Renfrew - Paul G. Bahn. 1st pub. London: Routledge, 2005, xiv, 298. ISBN 0415317584. info
• LE GOFF, Jacques and Jean-Claude SCHMITT. Encyklopedie středověku. Edited by Franco Alessio. Vyd. 1. Praha: Vyšehrad, 2002, 935 s. ISBN 8070215453. info
• LE GOFF, Jacques. Kultura středověké Evropy. Translated by Josef Čermák. Vyd. 1. Praha: Odeon, 1991, 747 s., fo. ISBN 80-7049-022-5. info

recommended literature
• Archaeology and memory. Edited by Dušan Borić. Oakville, Conn.: David Brown Book Co., 2010, 210 p. ISBN 9781842178126. info
• Život středověkého člověka od kolébky do hrobu : mezinárodní konference archeologie středověku : Pardubice, 21.-25. září 2009. Edited by Zdeněk Měřínský - Pavel Kouřil. Brno: Masarykova universita. Filosofická fakulta. Ústav archeologie a muzeologie, 2010, 510 s. ISBN 9788021052727. info
• UNGER, Josef. Archeologie středověku (Archaeology of Middle Age). 1st ed. Hradec Králové: Nakladatelství Gaudeamus Univerzity Hradec Králové, 2008, 55 pp. Materiály pro studium archeologie, 4. sv. ISBN 978-80-7041-766-9. info
• BAHN, Paul G. Archaeology : theories, methods, and practice : with over 550 illustrations. Edited by Colin Renfrew. 2nd ed. London: Thames and Hudson, 1996, 608 s. ISBN 0500278679. info
• HAYDEN, Brian. Archaeology : the science of once and future things. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company, 1993, x, 484. ISBN 0716723077. info

Teaching methods

theoretical lectures in the form of visual presentations with maps, pictures and modelling

Assessment methods

exam
Student requirements:
1) reading of recommended literature
2) orientation in key issues of contemporary research from the Middle Ages to the Modern Times

Language of instruction

Czech

Teacher's information

Detailed bibliography for individual topics and other study materials will be provided in the course.

• Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  
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