NORMAN SICILY, A STUDY CASE OF HUMAN MADE LANDSCAPE FOR RESOURCES ASSEMBLAGE
Channel: European Association of Archaeologists
Date: 08/10/2020

The Norman conquest of Sicily introduce not only new rulers and ways of government, but a new way of relating humankind and nature. Even when Arabic traditions -which demonstrate a highly resilience capacity- were maintained, distinct ways of obtaining resources were introduced. The aforesaid process created a different landscape from previous times. However, there are still some inquires to be answered, such as the real conformation of that landscape, or the determination of when was the feudal system introduced in the island and the changes that it supposed to the environment. Thus, the real usage of nature for assembling resources during the Norman period and beyond remains almost as an enigma. This paper, fruit of an initiation research grant at University of Granada and within FP-7 MEMOLA Project, therefore, seeks to answer these questions: Firstly, it will be seen what impact had the Norman conquest of Sicily in the landscape. Secondly, it will be tried to detect, if it is possible, a conscious human formation of landscapes to suit the exploitation of resources under Norman rule. Thirdly, determine whether there is a relation between resources gathering and settlements or there was not interrelation between these factors (human settlements and nature). Subsequently, it is going to be determine when the feudalisation took place in Sicily. Finally, we seek to recuperate traditional knowledge from rural communities in relation with assembling strategies which can be traced back to the focused period, if not earlier. In the end, the final question that we seek to answer is how socio-cultural dynamics (Norman conquest and rule, and feudalisation) linked to the use natural of resources.

Author(s): Vaquero, Pablo - Martín Civantos, José María (University of Granada) - Corselli, Rocco (Arqueoandalusi. Arqueología y Patrimonio SL)