The Early Modern Zagori of Northwest Greece: An Interdisciplinary Archaeological Inquiry into a Montane Cultural Landscape

This investigation of Zagori in Northwest Greece explores the archaeology and cultural history of a mountainous area that thrived in the Ottoman period, challenging the view that mountains support a predominantly pastoral way of life. It combines critical historiography, archival research, oral history, and landscape-archaeological survey to demonstrate the continuity of regional elites from the Byzantine to Ottoman period and the labor-intensive, engendered, cultural landscape of the Zagori peasantry.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 190 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2022
Publisher: Sidestone Press

Landscape archaeology projects have profoundly impacted our understanding of the deep history of the Greek countryside, yet they have overwhelmingly focused on the plains and rarely placed the Ottoman period at their core. This investigation of Zagori in Northwest Greece delves into the archaeology and cultural history of a mountainous area that thrived during the Ottoman period. By engaging with this upland region in the early modern period, we gain valuable insights into previously overlooked aspects of Greek landscape history.

Our inclusive methodology combines critical historiography, archival research, oral history, and landscape-archaeological survey to uncover novel perspectives on this montane landscape and its unique history and cultural heritage. Contrary to the dominant nationalist historiography, this research demonstrates the continuity of regional elites from the Byzantine to Ottoman periods in Epirus, shaping settlement patterns and elite/non-elite sedentary adaptations in this mountainous region. It also gives voice to the labor-intensive, gender-specific, cultural landscape of the Zagori peasantry, challenging the notion that mountains support a predominantly pastoral way of life.

Through this exploration, we gain a deeper appreciation for the complex and multifaceted history of the Greek countryside, shedding light on the enduring legacies of the Ottoman period and challenging prevailing narratives. The study of Zagori offers valuable insights into the broader field of landscape archaeology and contributes to our understanding of the diverse and dynamic landscapes of the Mediterranean region.

Dimension: 280 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789464280364