Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module will explore the connections between Europe, Asia, and Africa from 400-1500 AD. The scope of the course is vast, both in terms of its geographical extent and the interdisciplinary themes covered, so module content will aim to provide a broad structural overview of hte period alongside detailed case studies. We will explore how historians and archaeologists use text, material culture, art, architecture, environmental, and biological data to understand the medieval world. A key goal of this module is to highlight the diversity of viewpoints and lived experiences from people that were interconnected in different parts of the globe. With that in mind, we will explore key themes around trade, mobility, food, religion, social complexity, architecture, environmental change, settlement histories, and colonisation.

Module Aims:

• To provide students with a critical understanding of the archaeology of Europe, Asia, and Africa in the medieval period

• To provide students with a knowledge and understanding of the key sources and methods used by
medieval archaeologists, including excavation, survey, material culture and artefacts, art and
architecture, and texts.

Outline Of Syllabus

Exact topics will vary depending on the availability of specialist staff, but will include sessions such as the following:

A Global Middle Ages
Dark Ages?
Migration across Europe
Silk Roads
Mediterranean cuisine
Mediterranean and Red Sea networks
Personhood, Slavery and Race
African Urbanism
Religious landscapes
Indian Ocean networks
Islam in medieval world
Archaeological methods
Trans-Saharan trade
Multicultural Iberia
Maps/traveller accounts
Crusades
Medieval settlement
Medieval Nomadism
Climate and disease

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Key Knowledge Outcomes:
• An understanding of key methodologies and sources of evidence utilised by medieval
archaeologists in Europe, Asia, and Africa
• A knowledge of how such methodologies and evidence have been integrated in past and current scholarship
• An understanding of key themes and debates in medieval archaeology
• An awareness of regionality in medieval archaeology
• An understanding of regional research trends in the study of global medieval archaeology

Intended Skill Outcomes

Intended skills outcomes:
• An ability to critically assess and analyse current approaches to medieval archaeology
• An ability to critically assess primary archaeological evidence
• Ability to relate primary archaeological data to wider themes and debates
• How to collate and synthesise data
• Construct critical arguments
• Time management
• Bibliographic and library skills
• Writing and revising analytical prose
• Oral communication and presentation skills

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

1. Lectures and lecture materials will provide students with an overview of the main topics and debates in global medieval archaeology, the sources of evidence for same, and how to approach them.
2. Seminars will develop analytical skills, oral communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team, as well as an advanced knowledge and critical understanding of themes through student-led presentations and in-depth discussion of detailed case-studies.
3. Private study will provide in-depth understanding through background reading, preparation of seminar
presentations, identification/collation/analysis of information for assessments.

An additional 7 hours of contact time are included in this module to facilitate a field trip supporting the lecture and seminar material

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Essays will assess ability to analyse data critically and published interpretations relating to key themes in medieval archaeology using methods and techniques taught through lectures and seminars. Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing. The group oral presentation will provide the opportunity for teamwork in relation to the analysis of objects and the knowledge of key medieval artefacts, examining their dates, contexts and provenance.

General Notes

N/A