Potting histories : ceramics, economy and society in Almohad al-Andalus
Potting histories : ceramics, economy and society in Almohad al-Andalus
Innovatively, this thesis unlocks the potential of archaeological ceramics as a tool to interpret both economy and society, in south-western al-Andalus during the Almohad period (AD 1147-1248). Methodologies employed incorporate fabric and empirical analyses of pottery vessels within a theoretical framework, to develop a nuanced understanding of the context studied.
In order to investigate society, and economy, in Almohad al Andalus, research first questioned how pottery was produced, distributed and consumed. A cross-section of ceramic types were quantified and analysed from five diverse urban settlements: Seville, Códoba, Jerez de la Frontera, Écija (all in Spain) and Mértola (Portugal). Results of analyses indicated that in this context, vessel style was largely pervasive with similar types made and used in many different locations. However, it also demonstrated that a small number of vessels, including not only decorated but also undecorated types, were traded over long distances. This distribution provides scientific evidence that a range of ceramics can be used to further our understanding of patterns of trade and exchange in Almohad al-Andalus.
The improved understanding of production, distribution and consumption of ceramics gained through analyses here, also led to a ground-breaking interpretation of Almohad society in al-Andalus. These interpretations of society draw upon theoretical concepts which acknowledge that people in the past mediated their social relationships through the material culture that they made and used. Work here has revealed the complexity of Almohad society, indicating that although it included elements of homogeneity, there were also clear differences between the urban populations studied.
University of Southampton
Bridgman, Rebecca
ead54eea-8b84-4ba6-a1b1-07ab3900cddd
2007
Bridgman, Rebecca
ead54eea-8b84-4ba6-a1b1-07ab3900cddd
Bridgman, Rebecca
(2007)
Potting histories : ceramics, economy and society in Almohad al-Andalus.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
Innovatively, this thesis unlocks the potential of archaeological ceramics as a tool to interpret both economy and society, in south-western al-Andalus during the Almohad period (AD 1147-1248). Methodologies employed incorporate fabric and empirical analyses of pottery vessels within a theoretical framework, to develop a nuanced understanding of the context studied.
In order to investigate society, and economy, in Almohad al Andalus, research first questioned how pottery was produced, distributed and consumed. A cross-section of ceramic types were quantified and analysed from five diverse urban settlements: Seville, Códoba, Jerez de la Frontera, Écija (all in Spain) and Mértola (Portugal). Results of analyses indicated that in this context, vessel style was largely pervasive with similar types made and used in many different locations. However, it also demonstrated that a small number of vessels, including not only decorated but also undecorated types, were traded over long distances. This distribution provides scientific evidence that a range of ceramics can be used to further our understanding of patterns of trade and exchange in Almohad al-Andalus.
The improved understanding of production, distribution and consumption of ceramics gained through analyses here, also led to a ground-breaking interpretation of Almohad society in al-Andalus. These interpretations of society draw upon theoretical concepts which acknowledge that people in the past mediated their social relationships through the material culture that they made and used. Work here has revealed the complexity of Almohad society, indicating that although it included elements of homogeneity, there were also clear differences between the urban populations studied.
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Published date: 2007
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Local EPrints ID: 466532
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/466532
PURE UUID: 02197312-b83b-4b45-95c6-53a27535e3d2
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Date deposited: 05 Jul 2022 05:40
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 20:45
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Author:
Rebecca Bridgman
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