Università Roma Tre

Landscape archeology studies the landscape not only as a surrounding environment for a particular archaeological site, but as a broad geographical and cultural context, a synergy between culture and nature, a complex reality characterized by an interaction of different phenomena, an organism alive over time and in continuous transformation. The dynamism and changes in the landscape, in the territory, the relationship between man and the environment and the organization of the human settlement, the perception, use and representation of space, are investigated through the different historical periods to date, with the awareness that the landscape is constantly changing. The characteristics, theories and methods of landscape archaeology will be illustrated and various case studies and practical applications will be presented, in different geographical and temporal realities. Furthermore, methodologies and techniques used in landscape research will be illustrated (non-invasive methods, archaeological surface reconnaissance, geoarchaeology and paleoenvironmental research) and the first rudiments will be provided for understanding the applications of GIS systems (Geographical Information Systems - IT tools for spatial data management and analysis) in the field of landscape archaeology.

The aim of the course is to provide the student with a basic knowledge of the theories and methods of landscape archaeology and a theoretical-methodological basis for the interpretation of the history of human settlements and the transformations of the cultural and environmental landscape in a diachronic perspective, through illustrations of case studies, in particular from the Mediterranean area.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 'Archaeology of Landscapes' A.Y. 2022-2023 (Prof. Emeri Farinetti) Bachelor's degree

Required reading:

Farinetti, E. (2012) I paesaggi in archeologia: analisi e interpretazione. Carocci, Rome.
Cambi, F. (2015). Handbook of Archaeology of Landscapes. Carocci, Rome: chapter 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Renfrew, C. -Bahn, P. (1995). Archaeology. Zanichelli, Bologna: chapter 3 (pp. 57-86) and chapter 6
Francovich, R.-Manacorda, D. Dictionary of Archaeology. Laterza. Entries: Environmental, Archaeology, Archaeozoology, Geoarchaeology.
Gisotti G. (2020), Geologia per archeologi, Carocci editore, pp.301-380

Funiciello, R. et al. (2006). The seven hills. A geological guide to a Rome never seen. Raffaello Cortina Editore, Milan: chapter 1 and chapter 5 ('La piana del Tevere. L'evoluzione del fiume e le alluvioni').


N.B. Non-attending students must add the items: Archaeological Diagnostics, Archaeological Reconnaissance, Remote Sensing from the Dictionary of Archaeology edited by Francovich-Manacorda. They are also requested to read in full the text by F. Cambi, Manuale di Archeologia dei Paesaggi. Reading the notes of those who have taken the course is recommended as it may facilitate understanding of the texts on the syllabus.