Early Islamic North Africa: A New Perspective (Debates in Archaeology)

"This volume proposes a new approach to the Arab conquests and the spread of Islam in North Africa. In recent years, those studying the Islamic world have shown that the coming of Islam was not marked by devastation or decline, but rather by considerable cultural and economic continuity. In North Africa, with continuity came significant change. Corisande Fenwick argues that the establishment of Muslim rule also coincided with a phase of intense urbanization, the appearance of new architectural forms (mosques, housing, hammams), the spread of Muslim social and cultural practices, the introduction of new crops and manufacturing techniques and the establishment of new trading links with sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the Middle East. This concise and accessible book offers the first assessment of the archaeology of early Islamic North Africa (7th-9th centuries), drawing on a wide range of new evidence from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. It lays out current debates about its interpretation and suggests new ways of thinking about this crucial period in world history. Essential reading for those interested in understanding the impact of the Arab conquests and the spread of Islam on daily life, it will also challenge students of archaeology and history to think in new ways about North Africa, the earliest Islamic empires and states and the transition from the Roman to the medieval Mediterranean."-- Provided by publisher This Concise And Accessible Book Offers The First Assessment Of The Archaeology Of Early Islamic North Africa (7th-9th Centuries), Drawing On A Wide Range Of New Evidence From Recent Archaeological Work In Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia And Libya. It Lays Out Current Debates About Its Interpretation And Suggests New Ways Of Thinking About This Crucial Period In World History. Presenting A Challenge To The Current Debates About The Impact Of The Arab Conquests And The Spread Of Islam In North Africa, This Volume Proposes A New Approach To This Pivotal Period. In Recent Years, Those Studying The Islamic World Have Shown That The Coming Of Islam Was Not Marked By Devastation Or Rapid Decline, But Rather By Considerable Cultural And Economic Continuity. In North Africa, With Continuity Came Significant Change. Corisande Fenwick Argues That The Establishment Of Muslim Rule Also Coincided With A Phase Of Intense Urbanization, The Appearance Of New Architectural Forms (mosques, Housing, Hammams), The Spread Of Muslim Social And Cultural Practices, The Introduction Of New Crops And Manufacturing Techniques And The Establishment Of New Trading Links With Sub-saharan Africa, Europe And The Middle East. Essential Reading For Those Interested In Understanding The Impact Of The Arab Conquests And The Spread Of Islam On Daily Life, It Will Also Challenge Students Of Archaeology And History To Think In New Ways About North Africa, The Nature Of The Earliest Islamic Empires And The Transition From The Roman To The Medieval Mediterranean. Cover page Halftitle page Series page Title page Copyright page Dedication Contents Figures Acknowledgements A Note on Arabic and Terminology Introduction The Problem of North Africa 1 Foundations Evidence and Interpretation Texts Archaeology and material culture Interpreting the evidence Conclusion 2 From Conquest to Muslim Rule Byzantine and Berber Africa on the eve of the conquests The conquests Ruling Africa: The new provincial landscape The successor states 3 Cities Urban dynamics across North Africa Kairouan, Tunis and the new Muslim city Inherited cities Dynastic foundations The transformation of the city 4 The Countryside Archaeological survey and the tyranny of African Red Slip ware The medieval countryside Agriculture and animal husbandry Climate change and ecology Conclusion 5 Economic Life Industry Trade and exchange Conclusion 6 Social Life Religious life and the spread of Islam Housing and domestic life Food and diet Conclusion Epilogue North Africa and the Islamic World Timeline Glossary Bibliography Index List of FiguresAcknowledgmentsA Note on Arabic and Terminology Introduction: The Problem of North Africa. Ch 1. Foundations: Evidence and InterpretationCh 2. From Conquest to Muslim RuleCh 3. CitiesCh 4. The CountrysideCh 5. Economic LifeCh 6. Social Life Epilogue: North Africa and the Islamic World TimelineGlossary NotesBibliographyIndex