Session: #463

Regular session

Water is not only an elemental factor of life but has a special, symbolic role in Christianity. The most tangible and visible examples are known from monastic sites, although the different strategies and practices are poorly studied in many parts of Europe (even in its broadest geographical understanding/extension), also the published examples are known mostly from Western regions.
Springs and wells are primarily present at monastic sites, usually defining the structure of the built environment, but usually no further elements of inner water supply are recognized or studied directly or indirectly. The study of complex water management systems (including fishponds and mills), outside the monastic buildings, represents a way more “hotter” topic than the understanding of inner precincts. However, strategies and techniques are poorly published from different parts of Europe (with the exception of the British Isles), and even less is known on the transfer of knowledge and networks on the topic. Therefore, a lot of questions can be addressed and discussed in the session.
Papers discussing individual studies of monastic water management systems are welcomed but complex, interdisciplinary researches on any water-related features and their spatial arrangement are encouraged. Studies focusing on knowledge transfer, on the know-how of establishing water supply are also appreciated. Applicants are encouraged to give a brief outlook on the ways of preservation/restoration/heritage management of such features. How could the different monastic communities in different parts of Europe deal with the need of water? How water defined monastic sites and were there any direct/indirect regulations, common techniques of it? What was water used for commonly or unusually?

monastic archaeology, landcape archaeology, water management, interdisciplinary medieval studies, knowledge transfer, heritage management

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Zsuzsa Peto (Hungary) ¹

Ünige Bencze (Romania) ²