A Christianisation of Switzerland? : urban and rural transformations in a time of transition, AD 300-800
This thesis explores archaeological and historical data pertaining to the Christianisation of Switzerland between AD 300 and 800. Analysing published data from both urban and rural contexts, I explore three research questions: 1 â how did churches and associated buildings affect urban and rural spaces in Switzerland?; 2 â who were the âmoversâ of the religion?; and 3 â how far did local topography and regional identities forge a Christian landscape? During the period examined, the region experienced a number of geopolitical changes: the end of Roman administration, the rise and fall of the Burgundian kingdom, and the gradual takeover by the Merovingian and later Carolingian Franks. Throughout these phases, the Church was a common institution and transformed urban, rural, and burial landscapes through the construction of cathedrals, funerary churches, chapels, and monasteries. Utilising an interdisciplinary approach, this thesis brings to light that Switzerland experienced multiple âChristianisationsâ and that topographic factors and regional identities were intrinsic to the development of the Church.
Bielmann, Chantal
A Christianisation of Switzerland? : urban and rural transformations in a time of transition, AD 300-800. This thesis explores archaeological and historical data pertaining to the Christianisation of Switzerland between AD 300 and 800. Analysing published data from both urban and rural contexts, I explore three research questions: 1 â how did churches and associated buildings affect urban and rural spaces in Switzerland?; 2 â who were the âmoversâ of the religion?; and 3 â how far did local topography and regional identities forge a Christian landscape? During the period examined, the region experienced a number of geopolitical changes: the end of Roman administration, the rise and fall of the Burgundian kingdom, and the gradual takeover by the Merovingian and later Carolingian Franks. Throughout these phases, the Church was a common institution and transformed urban, rural, and burial landscapes through the construction of cathedrals, funerary churches, chapels, and monasteries. Utilising an interdisciplinary approach, this thesis brings to light that Switzerland experienced multiple âChristianisationsâ and that topographic factors and regional identities were intrinsic to the development of the Church.
christianisation switzerland urban_rural transformation time transition explore archaeological_historical data pertain christianisation switzerland analysing publish_data urban_rural context explore question church associated building affect urban_rural space switzerland religion far local topography regional_identity forge christian landscape period examine region experience number geopolitical change end roman_administration rise_fall kingdom gradual takeover later carolingian throughout phase church common institution transform urban_rural burial landscape construction cathedral funerary church chapel monastery utilising interdisciplinary bring_light switzerland experience multiple topographic factor regional_identity intrinsic development church