Archaeology of farming and husbandry in Early Medieval Ages (Vitoria, 15-16 noviembre 2012)

Archaeology of farming and husbandry in Early Medieval Ages

Vitoria-Gasteiz, November 15th-16th 2012

Although first experiences of historical analysis of bioarchaeological remains from southern European medieval sites were done at least in the 70s, this type of studies keeps being episodic and very specific. Therefore, the contribution of bioarchaeological disciplines to the understanding of past societies is still biased. The backwardness compared to other European countries or to Prehistoric archaeology is evident. The interpretation of basic subjects of historical landscapes, productive practices and social dynamics is made on the basis of textual documentation or of the reflection of these aspects on the archaeology of sites and monuments. Nevertheless, in the last years, the number of specialists and researchers who study historical societies has been increased and, as a consequence, a significant amount of data and studies has come to light, although these works are generally dispersed and the lack of syntheses is remarkable.

The aims of this conference are, on the one hand, to elaborate regional syntheses about the articulation of early medieval landscapes in Spain on a European context, and on the other hand, to analyse farming and animal husbandry practices in the Early Middle Ages using bioarchaeological remains from Spain and other European regions. Thus, we pretend to re-think the social history of the Early Middle Ages from a perspective that appreciates the diversity and dynamism of peasant communities, unlike the primitive approaches that are still predominant for the characterization of these groups.

To do so, some of the most renowned European specialists have been invited to take part in the conference, having the disciplinary diversity as a priority. Young researchers will also participate in the congress. In addition, we plan to organise a poster session in order to welcome specific studies on these matters.

Preliminar Program

Día 15 noviembre-November 15th

Presentación-Introduction

9,00 Saludo de autoridades/Authorities’ welcome

9,15 Presentación e introducción/Presentation and introduction, J A Quirós (UPV-EHU)


1ª Sesión, modera R. Díaz de Durana (UPV-EHU)
1st session, moderates R. Díaz de Durana (UPV-EHU)

9,30 Archaeofauna in Early Medieval England, Terry O’Connor (University of York)

10,10 Archaeofauna in Early Medieval Italy, Frank Salvadori (University of Siena)

10,50 Descanso/Break

11,20 Archaeofauna in Early Medieval Spain, Marta Moreno (CSIC)

12,00 Archaeofauna in the Basque Country in Early Middle Ages, Idoia Grau (UPV-EHU)

12,40 Paleoclimatic changes in Early Medieval Europe, Giovanni Zanchetta (Università degli Studi di Pisa)

13,20 Discusión/Discussion

13,50 Comida/Lunch

2ª sesión, modera: Lydia Zapata (UPV-EHU)
2nd session, moderates Lydia Zapata (UPV-EHU)

16,00 Early medieval landscape in France, Didier Galop (Uniersitè de Tolouse-Le Mirail)

16,40 Early medieval landscapes in Spain, Santiago Riera (Universitat de Barcelona)

17,20 Early medieval landscapes in the Basque Country, Begoña Hernández (UPV-EHU)

18,00 Discusión/Discussion

18,30-19,30 Sesión de poster/Poster session

Día 16 noviembre-November 16th

3ª sesión, modera: Mª José Iriarte (UPV-EHU)
3rd session, moderates Mª José Iriarte (UPV-EHU)

9,00 Farming in Early Medieval France, Marie Pierre Ruas (CNRS)

9,40 Farming in Early Medieval Italy, Mauro Rottoli (Museo di Como)

10,20 Descanso/Break

11,00 Farming in Early Medieval Spain, Leonor Peña (CSIC), Lydia Zapata (UPV-EHU)

11,40 Farming in Early Medieval Basque Country, Itsaso Sopelana (UPV-EHU)

12,20 Descanso/Break

12,30 Discusión/Discussion

13,00-14,00 Conclusión/Conclusion, Umberto Albarella (University of Sheffield)