Archaeological survey, landscape, and “the big picture” of agrarian history: a critical review and some proposals.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to offer some thoughts about the way we conceive archaeological study of landscapes, and the role played by surface survey on it. We stress the robustness of theoretical proposals of the 80`s and 90`s in Spain. We claim for the need of continuity in guiding our praxis by coherent and well structured research programmes. In a wider sense, we pose the need of renewing a commitment with the proposals of an “agrarian archaeology”. We claim for the value of theoretical concepts that still have a high potential for development in Spanish research. In this framework we stress the importance of methodological design of surface survey, in order to deal with the complex reality of agrarian landscapes. Some recent trends and challenges for the future are outlined, especially regarding the recording of the off-site finds. Finally, we suggest some proposals about the sense and utility of hybrid spaces of research oriented to a true diachronic approach to the study of cultural landscapes.