Abstract: More than 30 years ago, a debate that took place in the journal Archeologia Medievale marked a turning print in the study of post-Roman urbanism. The subject was: can we consider Europe's late antique and early medieval cities as "proper" cities? After some decades, and many archaeological investigations, our perception of this subject has become much different from that pioneering starting point. Are "discontinuity" or "continuity" (in respect to the past) still useful terms to label that segment of European urban history? The presentation will explore the most recent data and discuss new perspectives on urban landscapes during late antiquity and the early middle ages. 

Andrea Augenti has taught medieval archaeology at the University of Bologna since 2000. He has carried out investigations in many Italian sites and directed the excavation of the monastery of San Severo in Classe (Ravenna). Andrea Augenti is also editor of the journal Archeologia Medievale and member of the International Advisory Board of the journal Medieval Archaeology. He is a member of Scientific Committee of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum (Rome) and of the RavennAntica Foundation. He is the author of several publications, including Archeologia dell'Italia medievale (2016) and A come Archeologia (2018).