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Document Details : Title: Watermills in Byzantine Greece (Fifth-Twelfth Centuries) Subtitle: A Preliminary Approach to the Archaeology of Byzantine Hydraulic Milling Technology Author(s): GERMANIDOU, Sophia Journal: Byzantion Volume: 84 Date: 2014 Pages: 185-201 DOI: 10.2143/BYZ.84.0.3049180 Abstract : This paper deals with a fundamental feature in medieval agriculture, viz. the watermill, as known through its physical remains and reflected in documentary evidence, in early and middle Byzantine Greece. In stark contrast to its societal, economic and topographic significance, there are only four cases of excavated and published water-powered facilities. They are located in the urban core of Athens, Eleusis, Ancient Messene and Thebes, and their dating ranges from the mid fifth to the ninth century. Some preliminary observations on their position in town planning, their mechanical capacity and technical classification aim to illuminate their place in Byzantine material culture and their impact on the daily life of the peasantry. |
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