El conocimiento del sector suroriental de la Vega de Granada mediante el microanálisis territorial. Las <em>Dār</em>-s del entorno de La Zubia

Abstract

This paper highlights the importance of conducting detailed territorial analyses using all available sources (both archaeological and written) in efforts to comprehend the changes occurring in a given place. The examples used in the paper come from a specific area: La Zubia, part of the Vega de Granada, a wide expanse of fertile plains in the prov- ince of Granada. The area of La Zubia is characterized by its large aristocratic properties, known as munyas, and to a lesser extent smaller properties and buildings (such as cot- tages), which are called huertas. Survey and demarcation records from the 16th century and the Muslim “Books of Habices” provide most of the information about the residential structures and their names: neighborhood (hāra), houses or mansions (dār) and even parks (ŷanna). The paper warns against the risk of drawing hasty conclusions from rough docu- mentation analysis and limited data. Finally, some suggestions regarding future research are made.