Space and specialization: An analysis of medieval economic behavior through ceramics in Salemi Sicily
[Thesis]
Kweku Afirim Williams
Kolb, Michael J.
Northern Illinois University
2014
79
Committee members: Mehrer, Mark; Sagebiel, Kerry
Place of publication: United States, Ann Arbor; ISBN=978-1-303-99069-4
M.A.
Anthropology
Northern Illinois University
2014
The purpose of this research is to interpret economic behavior at the medieval settlement of Salemi, Italy. The specific issues that I will address are: What are the spatial patterns of economic distribution in the city? What areas in the city were distribution centers of material goods as measured by ceramics and did they change from Muslim to Norman times? Did the spatial patterns of distribution within the city at five different locations change or remain the same from the time of the Muslims to the Normans? Lastly how did the function of Castle Arab-Normano change from the Muslim occupation to Norman occupation? Archaeological information remains scarce about the medieval time period (800-1500AD), and it is important to try to fill the gap. The connections between cities were important for trade during the medieval period. Based on the historical importance of trade during the Muslim and Norman cultural phases of medieval Sicily, my research will seek to show what plausible economic activities occurred within the city of Salemi. My study will provide a microeconomic view of medieval Sicily and how it relates to the macroeconomic system of the Mediterranean. There will be patterns of economic behavior that are distinct for Muslims and Normans. Spatial differences were found in the economic behaviors of the Muslims and Normans. Those differences are apparent among storage ware deposits at several specific locations in Salemi.
Archaeology; Medieval history
Social sciences;Ceramics;Cross-section texture;Economic behavior;Italy;Sherds;Space