The Mediterranean in the Medieval World

Module code: AR2553

In the year 400, despite some decades of barbarian incursions into various parts of the Roman Empire and some disastrous defeats for its emperors, there was no great reason to believe that it was fatally threatened. By the year 500, there had been huge changes, particularly in the West. Much of the western Empire was no more, at least in terms of Roman imperial rule. On the other hand, many elements of Roman culture and practice survived, at least in more southerly parts of the Mediterranean region.

Taking this as our starting point, we will explore the archaeological evidence for what happened next. The expansion of the Christian church, the rise and spread of Islam, and the powerful Byzantine Empire all make the study of the medieval period around the Mediterranean from an archaeological perspective fascinating and unusual. You will explore such things as the role of castles, warfare and weapons in contests for power and domination - with a section on the archaeology of the Crusades. You will trace trade around the Mediterranean world through archaeological studies, along with changes to settlement patterns and changing urban forms.