From Africa to Ifrīqiya: Settlement and Society in Early Medieval North Africa (650–800)

Contrary to the long-held assumption that the Arab conquests (7th–8th centuries) were catastrophic for North African society, archaeological evidence reveals a more nuanced picture. Most Byzantine urban centers, including Volubilis, persisted as significant hubs rather than being abandoned. Rural landscapes remained active, with estates, farms, and fortified villages indicating sustained economic activity. Case studies of Tocra, Sbeïtla, and Volubilis—analyzing fortifications, religious structures (churches and mosques), housing, and production—challenge the notion of abrupt societal collapse. The study suggests that Arab rule in North Africa was more complex than previously thought, with urban continuity and rural resilience shaping early medieval Ifrīqiya.

Fenwick, C. (2013). From Africa to Ifrīqiya: Settlement and Society in Early Medieval North Africa (650–800). Al-Masāq, 25(1), 9–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/09503110.2013.767008