The Medieval Alps

Landscape, people and power in eastern Trentino

Forlin, Paolo

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.