Dr Sabrina Pietrobono
Marie Curie IEF Fellow

  • Email: sabrina.pietrobono@ncl.ac.uk
  • Telephone: 01912227165
  • Address: School of History, Classics and Archaeology
    Armstrong Building, Room 3.35
    Newcastle University

Qualifications:

  • 2008: “Dottorato di ricerca” (Ph.D.) in Medieval Archaeology, 3 years, University of L’Aquila (IT).
  • 2004: “Diploma di specializzazione” (MA) in Classical Archaeology, 3 years, La Sapienza – University of Rome, 1st School of Archaeology - Rome.
  • 2003: “Diploma” in “Archival Studies, Palaeography and Diplomatics”, State Archive of Rome (S. Ivo alla Sapienza).
  • 2001: Post graduate course in “Economics and Management of Cultural Heritage”, Faculty of Economics; University of Rome - Tor Vergata
  • 2000: Pontifical post graduate course in Christian Archaeology, 3 years, Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology (PIAC), Vatican City/Rome: Licenza in Christian Archaeology (1999); Baccalaureato in Christian Archaeology (1998).
  • 1999: Post graduate course in “History of the 20th Century”, 2 years, University of Rome – Tor Vergata/BAICR.
  • 1998: Post graduate course in “Analysis and Management Policies of Archaeological and Architectural Heritage of the Territory”, University of Rome - Tor Vergata;
  • 1997: Masters Degree in Letters (Bachelor (Honours) of Humanities), Faculty of Arts and Humanities (Philosophy). La Sapienza – University of Rome.

I have studied Archaeology and Archival studies with a topographical range of interests from Classical to Post Medieval Archaeology since my first degree. I began studying the southern Lazio for my master’s degree thesis in Topography of the Ancient World with a innovative topic of research at that time, the study of the ancient Roman road 'Via Latina' through the southern Lazio, partially published in 2002, after revision. I considered southern Lazio as a challenge in terms of interest and possible discoveries. I used my skills in Roman Topography and Archives in order to understand the transformations of the Via Latina. Analysing the different methodological problems linked to the ‘continuity of life’ in that landscape, I realised the necessity of collecting data for the Medieval and Modern periods in order to achieve effective results for the previous eras, even for the Roman period. Applying archival research methods, I have re-interpreted the topographical development of the Medieval Town of Aquinum, in southern Lazio. Scholars previously believed the city was suddenly abandoned during the Lombard conquest. However, I was able to identify a medieval gate (previously considered to be a Roman structure) within the ancient Roman urban site, and prove that the city was transformed during the Middle Ages. I have carried out an extensive survey on the castles of southern Lazio in their territory and I discovered the monastery of S. Nicola alla Melfa; I have also studied the misunderstood castle of Montenero near Arpino, Italy. I have reconstructed medieval settlement organisation within the medieval Diocese of Verulae (southern Lazio, Italy). I have focused new attention on the medieval archaeology of southern Lazio thanks to an archival approach to the study of the medieval landscape. The "Carta Archeologica Medievale" was the first book written and planned on that area during the Middle Ages, and it represents an important contribution to knowledge. I became confident using data from bibliography range of sources and disciplines, and I learned how to approach field surveys in problematic social contests. I also have identified the Via Francesca across the territory of Veroli, a medieval route, now a country path, which was among the main medieval pilgrimage roads through southern Italy.

I participated in numerous excavations in Italy and abroad. I organised several seminars and conferences.
 

Grants and Awards:

  • 2012. N-LINK project. FP7 - PEOPLE. Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development".
  • Full-conference scholarships. 
  1. 28 - 31 July 2009, VI Encuentros Internacionales del Medievo 2009, "Construir la ciudad en la Edad Media”, Nájera, La Rioja, Spain.
  2. 10 - 12 October 2008, IV Workshop "Città comunali e città del Regno. Confronti e comparazioni (secoli XII-XV)", Centro di Studi sulla Civiltà comunale, Pescia (Pistoia) – University of Florence (Italy).
  3. 10 - 13 July 2008, Civis civitas, Centro Interdipartimentale di Studi sui Beni Librari e Archivistici (CISLAB), Faculty of Arts and Humanities (Philosophy) in Arezzo/Siena University, Montepulciano (Si).
  • 2009: Funded Project, “Le Storie della terra”, Archaeological Civic Museum of Castro dei Volsci (FR - Italy).
  • 2004-2007: Full scholarship, PhD University of L'Aquila (Italy).
Previous positions:

  • 2011: Visiting lecturer, Newcastle University (UK).
  • 2007–2010: Middle and High Schools. Teacher of Italian, History and Latin (Rome and Provincia di Roma).
  • 2009: Project supervisor: “Le Storie della terra”, Archaeological Civic Museum of Castro dei Volsci (FR - Italy).
  • 2007-2008: Scientific Director, Archaeological Civic Museum of Castro dei Volsci (FR - Italy).
  • 2004-2007: Ph.D. researcher, University of L'Aquila (Italy).
  • 2001-2002. BAICR, Istituto Sturzo, Rm – University of Rome - Tor Vergata. Learning consultant.
  • 1998 - 2001. Coop. LATERS srl, external field archaeologist for Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Roma, Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici del Lazio and Sovrintendenza Comunale ai Beni Archeologici, Roma.

Research areas:

  • Landscapes in Italy since the Roman period;
  • Roman and medieval cities in Central Italy;
  • Monasteries and castles in the Middle Ages;
  • Ancient and medieval architecture;
  • Christian/medieval epigraphy;
  • Roman and Medieval roads in Italy;
  • Medieval and modern documents.

 

Research Projects

  • My current research project is:  
  1. UK:  Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development", IEF. Seventh Framework Programme. Normannitas: Landscape, Identity and Norman Kingdoms. Project Acronym: N-LINK. Newcastle University - School of History, Classics and Archaeology. Individual research grant. Supervisor: Sam Turner. 
  • Recent research projects (selection): 
  1. Italy: "Le Storie della Terra". Comune di Castro dei Volsci and Provincia di Frosinone. Scientific Director of the Civic Archaeological Museum and project supervisor. Book published in 2009.
  2. Italy: The Castles of Lazio Meridionale. Settlements dynamics, fortified structures and seigniorial power between the Melfa and Liri Rivers (9th - 13th centuries). University of L'Aquila, PhD. Book in preparation.
  3. Italy: Carta Archeologica Medievale. Forma Italiae Medii Aevi. Supervisor: Stella Patitucci Uggeri. University of Cassino. Book published in 2006.
  4. Italy: "Santità e territorio". Indipendent research project for "San Germano. Collana di storia e cultura religiosa medievale", University of Cassino, Director Filippo Carcione, published since 1999.

 

Memberships: