Valor & Gutiérrez/Archaeology of Medieval Spain, 1. The Study of Medieval Archaeology

The Iberian Peninsula represents a very particular case within the European context. During the Middle Ages Christians, Muslims and also Jews coexist in cities and the countryside. The territory was divided in Christian kingdoms and al-Andalus, both parts changing drastically between the 12th and 15th century. This book attempts to focus on differences, similarities and influences of these various cultures that developed during this crucial period between High and Late Middle Ages, as well as their heritage in present Spain. The volume is the first modern account in English of medieval archaeology in Spain benefiting from the extraordinary development of Spanish archaeological research arising from the creation of regional governments (Comunidades Autónomas) in the 1980’s. This chapter provides an introduction to the authors' survey of the archaeology of Spain between about 1100 and about 1500. It comprises descriptions of the geographic situation of Spain and the main events of the medieval period; a short history of Spanish medieval archaeology; examples of new archaeological techniques in Spain today; and the broad intentions of the two main authors in writing the book.