Castellation and Defense in the Early Middle Ages. Documents for the Conservation of the Surviving Heritage of the Sicilian Valdemone

Abstract

This essay examines early medieval fortifications in Sicily, focusing on the strategic logic that shaped the distribution, typology, and evolution of “strong places” within the Valdemone region. Defensive structures were not only military responses but also components of a broader socio-territorial system enabling communities to shelter people, resources, and livestock during prolonged sieges. Because written sources are fragmentary, the study integrates textual evidence with geomorphological analysis, visibility relationships, and the reconstruction of medieval road networks. Archaeological data reveal long-term continuity from late Roman settlements to fortified medieval sites, though research has historically privileged religious architecture over military structures. The essay reassesses Byzantine and Islamic phases of fortification, drawing on Arab chroniclers who describe extensive defensive programs across Sicily. By comparing known sites with those only cited in sources, the study proposes new hypotheses for the locations of Mîquś and Demenna, highlighting their strategic control of river valleys, mountain passes, and visual communication lines linking Rometta, Taormina, Aci, and other strongholds. Drone surveys and modern remote-sensing techniques have uncovered alignment patterns and buried structures supporting these hypotheses. Ultimately, the work argues that a network of intervisible fortifications, integrated with natural defenses and essential resources, structured the defensive landscape of early medieval Sicily. Combining textual, archaeological, and technological approaches offers new perspectives on poorly documented sites and provides a foundation for future targeted excavations.