Risk Management in Agriculturally Marginal Areas of Southwestern Anatolia during the Ottoman Period

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2019: General Sessions" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The results of recent surveys around the Mediterranean have revealed a wealth of information about rural populations during the Ottoman period that had for a long time been ignored by historical and archaeological research. This has also brought to light the role of people who occupy politically, economically, or socially marginal niches. This paper aims to understand the way agriculturally marginal populations fit into the economic fabric of southwestern Turkey specifically, and how they were often able to retain their presence in areas with poor agricultural potential for long periods of time. Evidence from surveys indicates that not only were populations in marginal areas involved in the economic systems of the entire region, but that it was necessary for them do so as a way to limit the risk associated with their location. In addition to maintaining relationships with other areas that they could call on in times of stress, these populations also diversified their subsistence methods, were often mobile, and retained stores of surplus food stuffs. Despite hardships due to climate change and political policy throughout the Ottoman period, risk management allowed populations in marginal areas a buffer from complete devastation.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 25712