DRESLER, Petr, Alžběta DANIELISOVÁ and Jan MAŘÍK. Iron Age and Early Medieval Centres - Advantages and Pitfalls of a Comparative Approach. In Building Bridges - Abstract book of the 23rd Annual Meeting of the European Association of Archaeologists 2017. 2017.
Other formats:   BibTeX LaTeX RIS
Basic information
Original name Iron Age and Early Medieval Centres - Advantages and Pitfalls of a Comparative Approach
Name in Czech Centra doby železné a raného středověku - Výhody a úskalí komparativního přístupu
Name (in English) Iron Age and Early Medieval Centres - Advantages and Pitfalls of a Comparative Approach
Authors DRESLER, Petr, Alžběta DANIELISOVÁ and Jan MAŘÍK.
Edition Building Bridges - Abstract book of the 23rd Annual Meeting of the European Association of Archaeologists 2017, 2017.
Other information
Original language Czech
Type of outcome Conference abstract
Field of Study Archaeology, anthropology, ethnology
Country of publisher Czech Republic
Confidentiality degree is not subject to a state or trade secret
Organization unit Faculty of Arts
Keywords (in Czech) doba železná; latén; raný středověk; centra
Keywords in English Iron Age; La Téne; Early medieval; centres
Tags Archaeology, Early Middle Ages, Iron Age, Pohansko
Tags International impact
Changed by Changed by: Mgr. Petr Dresler, Ph.D., učo 16433. Changed: 3/2/2018 21:17.
Abstract
In this paper we attempt to explore development, role and function of the central places in the Iron Age and Early Medieval periods approaching this issue from different perspectives in order to test their comparative potential. Earlier approaches to protohistoric and early historic urbanisation phenomena implied distinct criteria to test whether the status of a settlement could be viewed as “urban”. These criteria were either present or absent and within this binary framework the “urbanisation level” of a given site was evaluated. In reaction to these rather static models that neglected the effect of dynamics of urbanisation as well as their “non-urban” counterparts, the research cluster of the DAI developed an urbanisation-model with criteria that included “objectified and quantifiable values” (cf. Wendling 2013) such as: continuity and sustainability of settlement activities; the degree of social interaction and political communication; topographical and structural proximity of the built environment; functional and structural diversity of building structures; and concentration and diversity of crafts, trade, and services. Using DAI concept as a basis, we slightly expanded the criteria and formulated weighted empirical model that was subsequently applied to selected Iron Age and Early Medieval “centres”. With help of several case studies we intend to demonstrate that strength of a comparative approach lies especially in revealing the major development trends or principles of a long-durée nature (such as basic economic systems), while the risks of misinterpretation are associated chiefly with limited knowledge of social hierarchy, political strategies and cultural norms.
Abstract (in English)
In this paper we attempt to explore development, role and function of the central places in the Iron Age and Early Medieval periods approaching this issue from different perspectives in order to test their comparative potential. Earlier approaches to protohistoric and early historic urbanisation phenomena implied distinct criteria to test whether the status of a settlement could be viewed as “urban”. These criteria were either present or absent and within this binary framework the “urbanisation level” of a given site was evaluated. In reaction to these rather static models that neglected the effect of dynamics of urbanisation as well as their “non-urban” counterparts, the research cluster of the DAI developed an urbanisation-model with criteria that included “objectified and quantifiable values” (cf. Wendling 2013) such as: continuity and sustainability of settlement activities; the degree of social interaction and political communication; topographical and structural proximity of the built environment; functional and structural diversity of building structures; and concentration and diversity of crafts, trade, and services. Using DAI concept as a basis, we slightly expanded the criteria and formulated weighted empirical model that was subsequently applied to selected Iron Age and Early Medieval “centres”. With help of several case studies we intend to demonstrate that strength of a comparative approach lies especially in revealing the major development trends or principles of a long-durée nature (such as basic economic systems), while the risks of misinterpretation are associated chiefly with limited knowledge of social hierarchy, political strategies and cultural norms.
Links
GA16-15678S, research and development projectName: Vývoj interakce přírodního prostředí a subsistenční strategie raně středověké společnosti
Investor: Czech Science Foundation
PrintDisplayed: 29/3/2024 10:44