Examining Transylvanian Saxon fortified churches from the 13th to the 16th centuries : the history and archaeology of the Saxon rural church in Romania : roles and identities
This PhD thesis provides a multi-layered analysis of Saxon rural fortified churches from the thirteenth to the sixteenth centuries in Transylvania. By examining the histories and archaeologies of these poorly studied but prominent medieval survivals, the thesis explores the processes by which the Church transformed Saxon social structures and considers how far structure and form reflect that society and its evolving identities. The timeframe spans the primary Saxon colonization of Transylvania until the occupation of the region by the Turks after 1526. Critically, almost all of the Saxon villages and churches originated and were subsequently fortified during this period and many have remained relativity unaltered since. Three major research strategies are employed: (l) a quantitative analysis of data for the representative regions of Brasov and Sibiu Counties; (2) detailed analysis of the form and function of the built units; and (3) detailed assessment of two major case studies. Data were collected from published and archival reports and sources, plus interviews, newspapers and site surveys. Core to the whole is the creation of a Gazetteer of Saxon sites in BrasÌ§ov and Sibiu Counties. The thesis considers
Morgan, David
Examining Transylvanian Saxon fortified churches from the 13th to the 16th centuries : the history and archaeology of the Saxon rural church in Romania : roles and identities. This PhD thesis provides a multi-layered analysis of Saxon rural fortified churches from the thirteenth to the sixteenth centuries in Transylvania. By examining the histories and archaeologies of these poorly studied but prominent medieval survivals, the thesis explores the processes by which the Church transformed Saxon social structures and considers how far structure and form reflect that society and its evolving identities. The timeframe spans the primary Saxon colonization of Transylvania until the occupation of the region by the Turks after 1526. Critically, almost all of the Saxon villages and churches originated and were subsequently fortified during this period and many have remained relativity unaltered since. Three major research strategies are employed: (l) a quantitative analysis of data for the representative regions of Brasov and Sibiu Counties; (2) detailed analysis of the form and function of the built units; and (3) detailed assessment of two major case studies. Data were collected from published and archival reports and sources, plus interviews, newspapers and site surveys. Core to the whole is the creation of a Gazetteer of Saxon sites in BrasÌ§ov and Sibiu Counties. The thesis considers
examining saxon fortify church history_archaeology saxon rural church romania role identity phd provide multi_layered analysis saxon rural fortify church transylvania examine history_archaeology poorly study prominent medieval survival explore process church transform saxon social_structure considers far structure form reflect society evolve identity timeframe span primary saxon colonization transylvania occupation region turks critically almost saxon village church originate subsequently fortified period many remain relativity since three_major strategy_employ quantitative_analysis data representative region counties detail_analysis form_function build unit detail assessment two_major case_study data_collect publish archival report source plus interview newspaper site_survey core whole creation gazetteer saxon sit counties considers