Karin Altenberg. Experiencing landscapes: a study of space and identity in three marginal areas of Medieval Britain and Scandinavia.
Pluskowski, Aleks
KARIN ALTENBERG. Experiencing landscapes: a study of space and
identity in three marginal areas of Medieval Britain and Scandinavia
(Lund Studies in Medieval Archaeology No. 31). vii+293 pages, 71
figures. 2003. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell International;
91-22-01997-9 paperback.
Karin Altenberg's book explores the organisation and
perception of deserted medieval settlements and their surrounding
landscapes on Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor in south-west England and on the
Romele Ridge in southern Sweden (medieval Denmark) through a synthesis
of archaeological, documentary, place-name and ethnographic data. In
particular, Altenberg is concerned with the conceptualisation of
'marginality' and how this relates to physical landscapes.
The book is a version of Altenberg's PhD thesis and follows a
comparable format. It is divided into seven chapters with subheadings
and subsections are numbered, which gives the chapters and sections a
sense of self-containment and precision. However, the text is not
sterile--far from it. Altenberg's style is clear and lively and her
discussion is complemented by figures combining detailed maps with some
evocative photographs of the study areas to support her arguments.
The introduction briefly surveys the development and current state
of medieval landscape and settlement archaeology, suggesting that
archaeologists must consider the ways in which space can be perceived
and experienced by its inhabitants--paving the way for her own approach
which is then carefully outlined with definitions of marginality,
followed by a range of settlement models and theoretical approaches to
space, predominantly borrowed from prehistoric archaeology. Ironically,
the detailed reconstruction of conceptual landscapes is easier for
historical periods, where, as Altenberg consistently demonstrates, there
is a range of evidence for how surrounding landscapes and monuments were
actually perceived.
Chapter 2 outlines the available evidence for the three study
areas, chosen for their varying degrees of marginality, dispersed
settlement patterns, and access to common pasture. In choosing an area
of medieval Denmark, Altenberg takes advantage of the interdisciplinary
Ystad Project (1982-90), which incorporated part of the Romele Ridge.
Starting with Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, Chapter 3 explores their
socio-economic and political exploitation and how these can be linked to
experiences of space. Altenberg suggests three perspectives for
exploring perceptions of medieval landscapes: the experiences of those
living in the area, of those living outside but taking an interest in
the area, and finally our own personal experiences. This last
perspective is the most novel--phenomenology is largely absent from
studies of space in the Middle Ages--and Altenberg employs it
effectively (but not excessively) in her exploration of the visual
impact of ecclesiastical monuments in the moors. Chapter 4 presents
'the perspective from the inside' in considering how medieval
farmers on the moors experienced their immediate surroundings. A
detailed survey of the settlements on Dartmoor and Bodmin follows,
incorporating spatial relationships with natural and artificial
landscape features in order to demonstrate different types of experience
related to specific settlement contexts.
Chapter 5 turns to the Romele Ridge, focusing on the physical and
conceptual relationships between marginal and central settlements.
Altenberg first introduces the familiar spatial model of pre-Christian
Scandinavian cosmology derived from Old Norse literature, but breaks up
any clear dichotomies between natural and cultural space. This is
subsequently compared with the later Christian landscape where Altenberg
highlights elements of conceptual continuity whilst also pointing out
variable changes in ideas regarding landholding, ancestors and
community. Having outlined the conceptual framework for a medieval
southern Scandinavian landscape, Altenberg approaches the Romele Ridge
in the same way as the moors --albeit in less detail--focusing on the
range of external influences and internal experiences relating to this
landscape. This is briefly compared at the end of the chapter with the
medieval English moors, concluding that, whilst all three were perceived
as marginal from the outside, the Romele Ridge did not attract the same
level of ecclesiastical or entrepreneurial interest. Contrasts and
comparisons between the three study areas are explored in more detail in
the following chapter. Here, Altenberg synthesises her earlier themes of
varying experiences (adding a thought-provoking section on gender and
life cycles) with a focus on the development of regional identity. The
discussion is brought together in a concluding chapter under three
themes: experiences of medieval landscapes, British and Scandinavian
research traditions--including a useful list of neglected research
issues--and a final note on theorising about medieval landscapes.
Over all, Altenberg's book combines a challenging integration
of archaeology, history, ethnography and folklore with a clear set of
objectives organised within a concise and enjoyable narrative.
Conceptual landscapes have been explored in detail by scholars of
medieval law, literature and art, but rarely combined with physical
space. Altenberg's study therefore represents a seminal milestone
in the study of medieval landscapes, and will undoubtedly inspire future
students and researchers to go beyond purely economic
understandings--something that is already happening in varying
degrees--to explore neglected realms of human (and I hasten to add,
'animal') experience.
ALEKS PLUSKOWSKI
Clare College, Cambridge, England.
