Chapter Diseguaglianze sociali e indicatori archeologici: quali fonti per la lettura del Trecento?

Overview & Synopsis

The paper concerns the use of archaeological sources and methods as tools for understanding some specific economic and social developments of the fourteenth century. Since the changes that occurred during this period seem to have had a profound impact on the material condition of people, archaeological sources must certainly be considered as strategic tools. Specifically, the theme of inequalities will be addressed by tackling two central issues in the social analysis of the phenomenon, namely modes of consumption, read through the ceramic source, and the analysis of dietary regimes. On these issues, archaeological sources have great potential, which has recently been enhanced by more frequent and systematic recourse to scientific analysis of the finds.