Ancient Topography

The course aims to provide an overview of the discipline, defined as the science that examines the human-environment relationship, from its origins to the most recent methodological developments. The course also intends to present the most useful tools for topography in considering of the latest research trends in ancient landscapes. The topographer's task is to identify and understand historical and archaeological data in order to reconstruct the evolution of the cultural landscape. Through the study of specific topics, the student will know the main sources of the ancient topography (literature, cartography, archaeology, epigraphy, iconography, etc.), highlighting the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary nature of a topographic research, and will learn to recognise the elements useful for identifying the human activities in the territory (settlements, routes, infrastructures, etc.).

Knowledge: At the end of the course the student will acquire a basic knowledge of the themes of the ancient topography and the problems relating to the discipline in the context of the ancient research, understanding which are the most appropriate methodological approaches to the diachronic study of urban and rural landscapes.
Skills: At the end of the course the student will develop a basic competence in the use of the essential tools useful for topographic research and the knowledge to create an archaeological map, demonstrating familiarity with cartography (historical and digital), with the different survey techniques and with GIS software for spatial analysis.