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Agrarian ecology in the Greek Islands: time stress, scale and risk

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2013

Paul Halstead  and
Glynis Jones
Paul Halstead
Affiliation:
University of Sheffield
Glynis Jones
Affiliation:
University of Sheffield
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Extract

A botanical study of crop processing was undertaken on the semi-arid, southern Aegean islands of Karpathos and Amorgos. The present article provides details of the crop processing activities, and some contextual information concerning the wider agricultural economy. Attention is drawn to three aspects of this wider economy (time stress, scale and risk) which are of particular significance for understanding both recent ‘traditional’ and ancient farming practice in the region. Amorgos is discussed in greater detail as the period of fieldwork was longer.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Hellenic Studies , Volume 109 , November 1989 , pp. 41 - 55
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies 1989

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References

This paper owes much to the knowledge, patience and hospitality of farmers on Amorgos and Karpathos. Particular thanks are due to Δημητράκης Νομικός and family, Μανόλης Νικιτίδης and the Arkesini agricultural policeman (ο δραγάτης) on Amorgos; to ΗλίαςΦιλιππάκης and family on Karpathos; and to Richard Catling, Molly MacKenzie, Jan West and ΜανόληςΦιλιππάκης, who guided us to our two study areas. Fieldwork was funded by grants from the Dept. of Education and Science (to G.J.), the British Academy and King's College, Cambridge (to P.H.). Thanks are 2 Cf. A. Sarpaki and G.Jones, 'Ancient and modern also due to Steve Hodkinson and Anaya Sarpaki, for bibliographic leads; to Paul Buckland, for entomological advice; to an anonymous reviewer (with an unmistakeably intimate knowledge of Methanite farming), for numerous valuable suggestions and pertinent criticisms; and to Gordon Hillman, whose encouragement and infectious enthusiasm led us, for better or worse, into this undertaking.

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