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Archaeogenetics and Landscape Dynamics in Sicily during the Holocene: A Review

Author

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  • Valentino Romano

    (Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy)

  • Giulio Catalano

    (Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Bazan

    (Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy)

  • Francesco Calì

    (Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy)

  • Luca Sineo

    (Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy)

Abstract

The Mediterranean islands and their population history are of considerable importance to the interpretation of the population history of Europe as a whole. In this context, Sicily, because of its geographic position, represents a bridge between Africa, the Near East, and Europe that led to the stratification of settlements and admixture events. The genetic analysis of extant and ancient human samples has tried to reconstruct the population dynamics associated with the cultural and demographic changes that took place during the prehistory and history of Sicily. In turn, genetic, demographic and cultural changes need to be understood in the context of the environmental changes that took place over the Holocene. Based on this framework, this paper aims to discuss the cultural and demographic dimension of the island by reviewing archaeogenetic studies, and lastly, we discuss the ecological constraints related to human peopling in times of change in landscapes that occurred on the island in various periods. Finally, possible directions for future archaeogenetic studies of Sicily are discussed. Despite its long human history, Sicily is still one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. The lessons we learn from the past use of landscape provide models for sustainable future management of the Mediterranean’s landscapes.

Suggested Citation

  • Valentino Romano & Giulio Catalano & Giuseppe Bazan & Francesco Calì & Luca Sineo, 2021. "Archaeogenetics and Landscape Dynamics in Sicily during the Holocene: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:17:p:9469-:d:620318
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giuseppe Bazan & Angelo Castrorao Barba & Antonio Rotolo & Pasquale Marino, 2020. "Vegetation series as a marker of interactions between rural settlements and landscape: new insights from the archaeological record in Western Sicily," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(4), pages 484-502, May.
    2. Carole L. Crumley, 2021. "Historical Ecology: A Robust Bridge between Archaeology and Ecology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-12, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Giuseppe Bazan & Angelo Castrorao Barba, 2022. "Historical Ecology, Archaeology and Biocultural Landscapes: Cross-Disciplinary Approaches to the Long Anthropocene," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-4, April.

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