The Sicilian Countryside in the Early Middle Ages: Human–Environment Interactions at Contrada Castro

Within the project ‘Harvesting Memories: Ecology and Archaeology of Monti Sicani Landscapes’, this paper aims to reconstruct human–environment interactions in inland areas Western Sicily during Early Middle Ages through a comparative analysis environmental archaeological data. We analyse carpological anthracological finds faunal remains originating from different layers rural settlement Contrada Castro (Corleone, Palermo), excavated 2017–2019. The site was mainly occupied between Byzantine Islamic periods (late 8th 11th c. AD). examination wood charcoal enabled identification plant species selected exploited landscape for each main chronological period. archaeobotanical data indicated precise, qualitative picture on historical vegetation area, accompanied with agricultural practices communities. zooarchaeological added further information reconstruction economy animal exploitation patterns. An integrated comparison characteristic presented dynamics strategy, exploitation, management resources an early medieval community Sicily.