Processing, Storage, Distribution of Food: Food in the Medieval Rural Environment

In presenting the conference papers on the theme of food in the medieval countryside, Ruralia has managed to present a most useful platform in which mainstream archaeologists, historians and environmental specialists can exchange information and discuss similar issues from across Europe. The paradigms for understanding the dynamic of medieval society are seeing significant change. We increasingly understand the subtleties of the many and diverse influences that affected the production of food throughout the period. Regional variation emerges as a key observation, where different places are able to develop their own unique character, and how such exploitation can change over time. In addition to the more traditional model of subsistence economies, there is greater recognition of the market economy although views still differ on how early we can see the evidence for integrated markets. It is within this context that the distinctions between rural and urban become less clear. The interrelationships between both landscapes are being studied and will become a dominant theme over the next decade. The 33 presentations that constitute he papers arising from the present conference reflect the different approaches being pursued across the discipline.