The Importance of the Arabic-Granadan Documents in the Study of the Social and Architectural History

Abstract

This article draws on contracts and documents that offer insights into the Andalusian society in general and the Granadan in particular. This primary source has not been sufficiently paid attention to by historians and researchers alike given the treasure trove of information it includes about Grenada (14th and 15th Centuries). These contracts and documents were collected in a book in their original Arabic form by the Spanish orientalist Louis Sico Di Lucina. The book’s title is “ Documentos arábigo-Granadenos”. It reported the first eight months of the Muslim’s life after the fall of Grenada in 1492 AD. The interpretation of these documents , ranging from 95 documents and 175 contracts issued by notaries in Grenada, that were written during The First Shock can offer us a new angle of vision through which we can examine the Grenadian society and architecture. The dealings that were recorded between the interested parties provide us with notions about the society: its classes, values, and ways of thinking. In addition, it gives us some ideas about the economy; sales, currencies, agencies, and the architectural behaviour; properties, ownership titles and property expertise