Observing the Movement of Things and People: settlement Patterns in a Microarea of Inland Sicily

Abstract

The study of the history and archaeology of Sicily has long focused on coastal areas and major urban centers. In recent years, however, there has been a significant increase in interest in research on inland areas, demonstrating that these regions were also dynamic and exhibited intense commercial and productive activity. Human presence in island’s interior dates back to the Neolithic period and intensified during subsequent historical periods. Written sources suggest that, from the late 5th century CE to the 17th century, many inland areas – once densely populated during classical times – became semi-deserted or sparsely inhabited. However, archaeology unveils a more complex narrative, challenging these accounts. This study highlights how Landscape Archaeology, combined with interdisciplinary approaches from the Social Sciences, can shed light on historical aspects of the landscape that remain underrepresented in written sources and insufficiently explored by archaeological research. A collaborative effort between archaeologists and the local community interested in exploring and valuing their territory, this research aims to trace the movement of people and goods within a small inland region, analyzing settlement patterns. The ultimate goal is to understand how the need to exploit the land and adapt to its physical conditions influenced societal development in this micro-region over the centuries.