The Medieval Alps adopts a landscape archaeology approach to the study of the medieval landscapes of Valsugana, Cembra Valley and Pinè plateau in eastern Trentino. The volume provides an overview of existing historic and archaeological evidence for the case study area. By combining infrared air photographs and LiDAR, it examines the advantages of remote sensing analysis for the acquisition of fresh archaeological information. It emphasises the Alpine characteristics and its interconnection to the wider world to show that the materialisation of the medieval landscapes is the result of complex dynamics involving ecological adaptation, economic exploitation, political struggle and negotiation. Topics include the impact of climate change and natural disasters, the structure and evolution of agrarian spaces, and landscape transformations introduced by the appearance of feudal castles.

AUTHOR

Paolo Forlin is an Assistant Professor based in the Department of History and Cultures of Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, Italy. He is currently working on the WasteLands? research project, investigating the archaeology of post-disaster recovery in Medieval Europe. His research interests include Medieval archaeology, landscape archaeology, disaster studies, and remote sensing methods.

REVIEW

‘This is a pioneering work of great value and the methodological and archaeological outcomes are remarkable.’ Professor Stefano Campana, University of Siena

‘The originality of the work is supported by the complexity and the variety of the applied methods: LiDAR, GIS analysis, review of historical sources and literature, historical GIS. (The book) presents an original approach to the study of the landscape, integrating agriculture, power and settlement organization and paths/roads development.’ Associate Professor Diego Calaon, Ca' Foscari University of Venice