Al-Andalus: Society, Economy, and Industry
Al-Andalus: Society and Economy
Economy
The Islamic economy in Al-Andalus had several key characteristics:
- Essentially urban
- Centered in cities
- Based on a strong and stable currency
- Specialized and intensive agriculture
Major centers of importance included:
- Cordoba (with a large population)
- Seville (fertile land)
- Algeciras
- Malaga
- Granada
- Murcia
- Valencia
The souk was a permanent or periodic market, often located in streets. Merchants were grouped by occupation. Important products were sold near the mosque, while food and clothing vendors occupied central locations.
Industry
The textile industry was the most significant in Islamic Spain. Linen, cotton, and wool were used for clothing and garments. Leather and fur industries employed tanners and shoemakers.
Luxury industries were centered in:
- Cordoba, Murcia, and Baeza (silk fabrics)
- Zaragoza (skin preparation)
- Malaga (glassware)
Other important industries included pottery, glasswork, and construction. Fishing on the Andalusian coast and woodworking also employed a significant portion of the population.
Mining in Al-Andalus extracted:
- Silver in Murcia
- Iron between Cordoba and Seville
- Rock salt in Zaragoza
- Small amounts of gold in the sands of the Segre and the Darro
Agriculture
Agriculture was prosperous. Muslims refined existing techniques, particularly in water storage and transport, using cisterns, aqueducts, canals, and dams. These techniques, initially developed in Persia and spread by the Romans, were further refined in Al-Andalus and became a center of diffusion to North Africa and America.
The Renewal
The process of renewal raises the question of whether it was a conquest or a reconquest. Sources suggest the latter, but the later ideological reworking must be considered. This movement relied on the restoration of the Visigoths and the idea of the cross, which was gestated in medieval Europe.
The link with the Gothic kingdom began early, with the influence of migrant groups from Al-Andalus. The church played a crucial role, identifying the Christian kingdom of Asturias as the heir to the Visigoth kingdom. The cult of the apostle Santiago, encouraged by princes, is also important.
The idea of the cross arrived late. Its roots are difficult to trace, but its main influence may have come from Islam. Spain was a laboratory in the West for the major movements that would follow, starting with the Crusades in the 11th century. The Crusades involved knights from different nations, a papal promise, and the conquest of material and spiritual benefits.