Landscape archaeology: theoretical and interpretative approaches

The subject of this course is on the one hand the presentation of the main concepts and methods that constitute the research field of ‘landscape archaeology’ and, on the other hand, the contribution of this field to the understanding of Aegean Prehistory. The course is divided into three cycles. The first cylce focuses on the definition of the concept of landscape and to the various theoretical and methodological approaches: traditional iconography, processual surface survey, post-processual and cognitive interpretative methods, Georgaphical Information Systems and landscape modelling. The second cycle focuses on indicative Prehistoric case studies: Palaeolithic and Mesolithic cave use, Neolithic tell and extended settlements, Early Cycladic networks of maritime interation, Bronze Age funerary monuments in the Peloponnese and Crete, Minoan peak sanctuaries, Late Bronze Age frescoes in the Aegean. The third cycle examines landscape as a cultural heritage resource and outlines the institutional framework and related practices for its protection.

Objectives

Familiarity with the main theoretical schools of archaeological science Development as possible autonomous theoretical archaeological speech Familiarity with the concept of landscape Familiarity with the landscape research methods Sharpen critical capacity to assess different approaches to the same investigation Deepening the Aegean Prehistoric Archaeology Understanding the epistemological background of archaeological research The trainees at the end of the course should be able to recognize the different approaches of landscape research and may also participate in field research landscape

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to follow up

Syllabus

Introduction (Lecture 1) The first lesson concerns the definition of the concept of landscape and archeology of the landscape. It also presents the first research effort concerning the landscape, especially the period of the 18th century and 190y and the travelers in Greece and topographical surveys of traditional archaeologists until the 1960s. The configuration of the archeology of the landscape (Lectures 2-6) This section presents the theoretical and methodological progress made in the decades from 1970 to 1990. In particular, reference is made to the new or procedural archeology and its interest in exploring the past in a broad geographical area and timeless adaptation of man to his environment. Consider the contributions of environmental archeology, systematic and intensive surface surveys, Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing techniques and Prospecting. Then consider the criticism leveled by metadiadikastikoi archaeologists theoretically asking to focus on how people interpret rather than adapt to the landscape. It is indicative presentation surface investigations influence the metadiadikastiki archeology Cases of landscape study (Lectures 7-11) This section presents examples of landscape design. The examples cover most of Prehistory, from the Stone Age until the end of the Bronze Age. Indicative topics are as follows: • Familiarity of early hominids to their environment • From the Paleochristian and gathering Mesolithic Neolithic communities in the permanent installation • The marine landscape of the southern Aegean during the Early Bronze Age • The landscape of meaning through rituals in Minoan Crete • The evolution of human presence and habitation in South Argolida • In the above examples the emphasis on different theoretical and methodological approaches of the landscape. Management and enhancement of the archaeological landscape (Lectures 12-13) In this section, the landscape is examined as a cultural inheritance and object enhancement and promotion. the European Convention considered for the landscape (Florence 2002) and presented examples projection and landscape management from Boeotia, Kea and elsewhere. Finally reference is made to the current applications of new technologies that can contribute to further protection and enhancement of the landscape.