Chris Wickham - The Italian “Commercial Revolution”: An Archaeological Reading

This paragraph introduces Chris Wickham, a renowned medieval historian, emphasizing his significant contributions to the understanding of society and economy during the medieval period. Wickham's work is characterized by a deep knowledge of written sources and archaeological evidence, and his exploration of the transformation of the Roman world has been recognized as a major contribution to the field. His academic career, including his position at All Souls College, Oxford, and his various prestigious awards, are also highlighted.

The paragraph discusses the economic and architectural transformations in north central Italy from the 11th to the 12th century, focusing on the role of archaeology and the study of standing buildings. It touches on the commercial revolution, the expansion of Italian maritime trade, and the evolution of Italian port cities. The speaker critiques the traditional narratives of Italian commerce and advocates for a more critical examination of the archaeological evidence to understand the underlying changes in the region.

This section delves into the urban expansion and demographic growth of Italian cities during the Middle Ages. The speaker uses the example of Florence to illustrate how cities expanded their walls to accommodate larger populations, indicating economic growth and the need for protection. The construction of new city walls, cathedrals, and tower houses reflects the wealth and power of the urban elites and the overall economic health of the cities.

The paragraph examines the architectural evolution and elite housing in Italian cities, highlighting the changes in construction styles and materials from the early Middle Ages to the 12th century. It discusses the building of new cathedrals, the expansion of churches, and the construction of tower houses as indicators of economic prosperity and the desire for self-presentation among the elite class.

This section explores the distribution of ceramics as a proxy for economic interconnections and trade in Italy. The speaker discusses the presence of Mediterranean imports in cities like Pisa and Genoa, indicating their involvement in international trade. The paragraph also touches on the local production of ceramics and their distribution, which suggests the existence of regional markets and the potential for economic growth.

The paragraph focuses on the rural settlement patterns and economic activities in Tuscany, highlighting the concentrated rural settlement from the 9th century onwards. It discusses the transformation of villages into castle villages, the rebuilding of rural churches, and the construction of castles as indicators of wealth and power among the rural elite. The speaker also notes the limited interconnections between rural areas and cities, suggesting a more isolated economic development.

This section discusses the major rebuilding of rural parish churches and castles in Tuscany during the 12th century, which reflects the wealth and status of the lords. The speaker notes the improvement in the quality of local pottery and the presence of imported pottery, indicating exchange networks and the prosperity of the peasants. The paragraph also mentions the expansion of cities and the potential for economic interconnections between urban and rural areas.

The paragraph examines the exchange networks and economic divisions in Tuscany, noting the development of 'Oregon' or intermediate centers between cities and the countryside. The speaker highlights the potential of these centers in facilitating complex exchange structures but also points out the limitations due to the economic divisions in the region. The paragraph suggests that the economic takeoff in Tuscany was not uniform and was influenced by various factors, including the development of internal exchange hierarchies.

This section discusses the urban expansion and artisanal work in Rome, noting the increase in elite spending on buildings and the presence of skilled artisans. The speaker uses Rome as an example to illustrate the economic activities and the development of the city during the Middle Ages. The paragraph also touches on the limitations of the archaeological evidence in providing a complete picture of Rome's economic transformation.

The paragraph explores the challenges of measuring economic development in the absence of serial data and the role of artisans in facilitating exchange and economic growth. The speaker argues that the expansion of cities and the increase in elite spending indicate a growing stratum of skilled artisans and a wider market for goods. The paragraph also discusses the need for infrastructure and internal market development for a commercial takeoff to occur.

This section examines the documentary evidence of international trade and the beginnings of Italy's commercial revolution. The speaker challenges the traditional narrative by suggesting that the commercial revolution was a late development, driven by internal exchange hierarchies rather than international trade. The paragraph highlights the need for further archaeological research to test this hypothesis and provides a nuanced view of Italy's economic development in the Middle Ages.

The paragraph emphasizes the importance of the material record in understanding the economic origins and development of north central Italy. The speaker argues that the material evidence provides a stronger empirical basis for analysis than the documentary evidence, suggesting that the commercial revolution had different roots and occurred later than previously thought. The paragraph concludes with a call for more archaeological research to fully understand the economic transformations of the region.