Medieval Islamic World
From the Abbasid caliphate to Islamic Spain and the Sahara trade: science, technology, and power in the medieval Islamic world.
Articles on Medieval Islamic World (5)
The Ingenious Waterwheel: Technological Innovation and Social Change in Medieval Islamic Spain
How the noria and saqiya waterwheels of al-Andalus reshaped irrigation, rural society and political power in...
When Borderlands Boil: The Military Collapse and Local Revolt in the 10th-Century Abbasid Jazira
In the 10th-century Abbasid Jazira, military collapse and tribal ambition sparked local revolt, reshaping...
Great Mosque of Djenné: The World’s Largest Mud-Brick Building
Djenné’s Great Mosque in Mali is the world’s largest mud-brick building. Its medieval origins, architecture...
The Alhambra Palace: Architectural Marvel and Symbol of Nasrid Power in Medieval Granada
How and why the Nasrid sultans built the Alhambra in Granada, what its architecture meant, and what became of...
The 12th-Century Sahara Salt Trade Crisis: A Turning Point in Trans-Saharan Political Power
How the 12th-century Sahara salt trade crisis disrupted caravan routes, weakened Ghana and shifted...
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