Origin, Typology and Evolution of the Dehesasin the South of the Iberian Peninsula during the Late Middle Ages (13th to 15th Centuries AD)

Abstract

The occupation of Hispano-Muslim territory by the Christians brought the implantation of new systems of settlement, changes in crops, alteration of livestock and forest exploitation, in short: new rural landscapes and therefore a new spatial reality. Thus, from the very moment of the Christian conquest in Andalusia, land was delimited due to different factors and with a very varied ownership. The aim of this paper is to analyse the causes of the dehesas and their typology according to the use to which they were to be put, studying the regional diversity conditioned mainly by geo-graphical and socio-economic factors. In this way, different types of pastures are to be found. The limited lands of communal use, mainly ejidos, meadows and dehesas, in which the cattle of the inhabitants could graze. There are also the so-called dehesas de propios, exploited for the benefit of the council. Finally, the privately owned pastures, which were used for the livestock of an individual or an institution, but which on numerous occasions were rented in order to ob-tain economic benefits.