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Medieval Hydrotechnology: an interdisciplinary case-study of water management in the historical and physical landscape of Messinia, South Greece

Project description

Characterising historic water systems of Messinia, Greece

The archaeological landscape of Messinia, Greece, has been shaped by different societies over the centuries. Of particular interest are the diverse water systems of medieval and post-medieval societies that have not been fully differentiated. The EU-funded HYDROMEDIE project aims to identify and compare the water infrastructures in Messinia that arose from late Roman, Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian, Ottoman and early contemporary societies. The project will perform historic landscape characterisation using a geographic information system, 3D analysis of existing structures, microscopic analysis of mortar and scientific dating of samples. It will also interpret information from a sociocultural perspective, leading to a clearer understanding of the region’s history and better heritage management policies.

Objective

The HYDROMEDIE project will examine a series of key issues using innovative methods from landscape archaeology. The principal challenge will be to examine the strategies used for water management in different societies of medieval and post-medieval Messinia, comparing late Roman, Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian, Ottoman and early modern techniques in a series of case-studies.

Previous research has not succeeded in differentiating and dating water-related infrastructure on a large scale, and this comparative analysis requires application of innovative techniques including GIS-based HLC and spatial analysis, 3D recording and analysis of surviving structures, micromorphological analysis of mortar, and scientific dating of samples using radiocarbon AMS (atomic mass spectroscopy) and OSL (optically-stimulated luminescence).

The Fellow will be trained in all these areas through one-to-one instruction, tailored training courses, on-the-job learning and secondments. The training will provide skills necessary for a successful future career in the highly interdisciplinary fields of landscape research and medieval archaeology.

The project fieldwork and sampling will focus on case-studies where the natural supply of water is insufficient for basic subsistence, necessitating use of water collection and storage technologies. The subsequent interpretation will seek to identify the social and cultural implications of different strategies, including not only the economic value of water but also the ideological or even religious implications. With this in mind, the case-studies will embrace a range of landscapes, including examples with fortifications, ecclesiastical sites and agricultural settlements.

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Topic(s)

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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 224 933,76
Address
KINGS GATE
NE1 7RU Newcastle Upon Tyne
United Kingdom

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Region
North East (England) Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Tyneside
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 224 933,76
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