Bricks and mortar, grain and water: tracing tasks and temporality in Archaic Sicily

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed a significant interest in the identification of patterns of tasks and the short time scales of everyday life (Foxhall 2000; Ingold 1993). To date, however, in the field of classical archaeology there have been few attempts to explore patterns of activities in the ancient Greek world and how these patterns may have constructed a sense of place. The aim of this paper is to initiate a debate between discussions of economic activity and landscape perception. Informed by concepts of lived space and the rhythms of daily, seasonal and annual tasks, I aim to offer a more nuanced appreciation of life in the ancient Mediterranean. The issues are addressed in relation to Archaic Megara Hyblaea, a Greek settlement located in eastern Sicily, which, due to its location, history and level of preservation, has been central to discussions of urbanization, agriculture and identity in the ancient Greek world.