ARCHAEOLOGY
Exploring medieval times – an Archaeological Approach
SPRING AN248
Tuesdays
Maureen Doyle
In some ways, the medieval world seems familiar – we know it as an age of castles and cathedrals, plagues and raids, art and sculpture, change and development. Yet people lived quite different lives then, with beliefs and actions which now seem very strange to us. Can we recognise and understand their world from the material record they left behind? This lecture-based module will explore aspects of the early medieval and medieval worlds (c. AD 400-1500), focusing on monuments and artefacts and what they can reveal about their makers and users, and the world in which they lived. It will look in detail at some of the highly-skilled artefacts of the period, including metalwork and sculpture, but will also cover a range of aspects of medieval archaeology, at different scales, including important sites and monuments, signs of religion and popular beliefs, households and their inventories, and artefacts ranging from highly-skilled craftwork to the small traces of everyday life. The module will involve active learning, including discussion and engagement with archaeological artefacts, and there will be an optional museum visit to further explore the material of the medieval worlds.
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BELFIELD |
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8 Tuesdays |
Jan 29, Feb 5,12,19,26,Mar 5,12,19 |
7.30pm - 9.30pm |
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FEE €155 |
Print Open Learning Application Form 2012.13 or ring (01) 716-7123 for Laser/credit card payment |
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Tutor Bio
Dr. Maureen Doyle studied archaeology and history for her BA in UCD, and earned a PhD in archaeology with a thesis on dress and social identity in early medieval Ireland. Her research interests include fashion and bodily adornment, how material culture reflects changing societies and beliefs, and the representation of the past. An early fascination with castles and monuments underpins an ongoing love of archaeology.
Provisional list of key topics to be covered
· Metalwork and its meanings
· Art styles and influence
· Religion and beliefs
· Dwelling places – from crannogs to castles
· Churches and cathedrals
· Feudal society and its monuments
· Crafts, markets and money
· Pilgrimage and travel
Who is the course for? This course will appeal to anyone with an interest in medieval archaeology, including in particular those wishing to learn more about the rich artefacts of the period and those interested in the material traces of medieval social life.
