Recently, knowledge of the ancient habitat during Antiquity has benefited from the multiplication of preventive excavations, from the contribution of programmed excavations, but also from data obtained from pedestrian, aerial and geophysical prospection.

The Western Middle Ages were strongly marked by the emergence and affirmation of Christianity: being part of the Ecclesia (i.e. the community of Christians) it became a frame of reference that was reflected in many individual and collective practices.

This is a typical siege scene in the Assyrian palaces. Recurrently, war scenes were placed in the walls of throne rooms (besides some symbolic and protective images).

Archeological excavations and aerial revelations show that the larger villae continued to develop until the 5th century, while the smaller ones were abandoned between the 2nd and 3rd centuries.

The study of warfare in ancient societies can bring to the fore an understanding of what happen in those societies.

The Inrap archaeological excavation carried out at the end of 2020 in Mortagne-sur-Sèvres (85) led to the discovery of a sepulchral complex of 99 tombs dated between the 6th and 7th centuries AD

For almost a century, archaeologists and historians have long debated the role of trade in the economies of ancient and medieval societies. Primitivist and modernist views have been at odds over the existence and role of the economy and the market in Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

The social food traditions may be roughly divided into two main categories. In one hand, feasting – being any kind of celebratory meal– is generally led to profusion and overabundance.

We are used to see chronic food shortages as a characteristic feature of ancient societies.

Penal death in medieval Europe is a vast subject whose chrono-cultural, institutional, and regional subtleties have been highlighted by historians of texts, images, law and procedure, subtleties which sometimes still raise questions.

The organization of burial spaces evolved considerably throughout the Middle Ages. The progressive Christianization of towns and the countryside considerably modified the relationship between the dead and the living.

Fighting and warfare narratives fulfil the annals of sovereigns in the world history. Sometimes these narratives are accompanied by images, celebrating the battle achievements.