Arqueologia de las sociedades locales en la Alta Edad Media: San Julian de Aistra y las residencias de las elites rurales

The Arqueología de las sociedades locales en la Alta Edad Media: San Julián de Aistra y las residencias de las élites rurales presents the results of an archaeological project in San Julián de Aistra,Zalduondo-Araia,Álava,between 2006 and 2020. The site,which includes a hermitage dedicated to Santa Julián and Santa Basilisa,was occupied in prehistoric,Roman and medieval times. Excavation has revealed four medieval phases of a domestic,productive,and funerary nature,and the discovery of residential spaces of elites who exercised territorial dominion throughout the Early Middle Ages is one of the most important results of the project.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 582 pages
Publication date: 29 June 2023
Publisher: Archaeopress

Arqueología de las sociedades locales en la Alta Edad Media: San Julián de Aistra y las residencias de las élites rurales presents the main results obtained in the archaeological project of San Julián de Aistra (Zalduondo-Araia,Álava) carried out between 2006 and 2020 by University College London and the University of the Basque Country. The remains of a hermitage dedicated to Santa Julián and Santa Basilisa,built in the 10th century and renovated in the Romanesque period and in the 18th century,are preserved in the deserted village of Aistra,which is documented since the 11th century. Excavation has shown that the site was occupied in prehistoric,Roman and medieval times. While prehistoric and Roman materials have been recovered in secondary contexts,four medieval phases of a domestic,productive,and funerary nature have been defined. One of the most important results of the project has been the discovery of residential spaces of elites who exercised territorial dominion throughout the Early Middle Ages. In the 14th century,the place was depopulated and,since then,the Aistra area has been managed and disputed by the nearby villages of Zalduondo and Araia,which created a community aimed at jointly managing the resources and spaces of Aistra. This community,active between the 14th and 20th centuries,broke up from the 19th century onwards,when individual management of resources became accentuated,and the commons were divided up.
This collective volume brings together a large number of specialized studies and provides an interpretation of the site of Aistra in terms of socio-political practices that define the main characteristics of early medieval local societies in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula.

Introduction:
The Alta Edad Media (10th-15th centuries) witnessed significant changes in the social, economic, and political landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula. One of the areas that experienced these transformations was the northwest region, which included the provinces of Álava, Navarre, and the Basque Country. This region was home to a variety of local societies, each with its own unique characteristics and practices. In this paper, we will focus on the Arqueología de las sociedades locales en la Alta Edad Media: San Julián de Aistra y las residencias de las élites rurales project, which aimed to explore the archaeological remains of San Julián de Aistra, a deserted village located in the Zalduondo-Araia region of Álava.
The Archaeological Project:
The Arqueología de las sociedades locales en la Alta Edad Media: San Julián de Aistra y las residencias de las élites rurales project was carried out by University College London and the University of the Basque Country between 2006 and 2020. The project aimed to investigate the settlement history of San Julián de Aistra, as well as the social and economic practices of the local communities that inhabited the area. The project involved a comprehensive excavation campaign, which uncovered a wealth of archaeological evidence.
The Site of San Julián de Aistra:
San Julián de Aistra is a deserted village located in the Zalduondo-Araia region of Álava. The village was first documented in the 11th century, and it was likely inhabited throughout the Roman and medieval periods. The site is located on a hilltop, overlooking the valley of the River Aistra. The remains of the hermitage dedicated to Santa Julián and Santa Basilisa, which were built in the 10th century and renovated in the Romanesque period and in the 18th century, are preserved in the village.
Excavation Results:
The excavation campaign at San Julián de Aistra has revealed a rich history of occupation. The site was occupied in prehistoric times, as evidenced by the discovery of stone tools and animal bones. During the Roman period, the site was inhabited by a Roman settlement, which was characterized by a large villa and a network of agricultural fields. In the medieval period, the site was occupied by a Christian community, which was characterized by a church and a network of monasteries.
Residential Spaces of Elites:
One of the most significant results of the Arqueología de las sociedades locales en la Alta Edad Media: San Julián de Aistra y las residencias de las élites rurales project was the discovery of residential spaces of elites who exercised territorial dominion throughout the Early Middle Ages. The project identified four medieval phases of a domestic, productive, and funerary nature, which were characterized by the construction of residential buildings and the use of specific architectural styles. These residential spaces were likely used by the local elites to control and manage their territories.
The Disappearance of San Julián de Aistra:
In the 14th century, San Julián de Aistra was depopulated, and the Aistra area was managed and disputed by the nearby villages of Zalduondo and Araia. The villages created a community aimed at jointly managing the resources and spaces of Aistra. This community was active between the 14th and 20th centuries, but it broke up from the 19th century onwards, when individual management of resources became accentuated and the commons were divided up.
Conclusion:
The Arqueología de las sociedades locales en la Alta Edad Media: San Julián de Aistra y las residencias de las élites rurales project has provided valuable insights into the social, economic, and political practices of early medieval local societies in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. The project has revealed a rich history of occupation, including prehistoric, Roman, and medieval periods. The discovery of residential spaces of elites has shed light on the power dynamics and social hierarch.

Weight: 1910g
Dimension: 204 x 276 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803274911