New Approaches to the Study of the Early Byzantine Period in the Balearic Islands

Until relatively recently, Late Antiquity was one of the least understood periods in the history of the Balearic Islands. Nevertheless, archaeological efforts made in recent decades have significantly enhanced our understanding of this era, during which literary sources are scarce, making archaeological evidence indispensable for its study. In this contribution, we present the recent advancements, with a particular focus on the period during which the islands were under the dominion of the Byzantine Empire (AD 534–902/903). Our archaeological research adopts an inter and multidisciplinary approach, incorporating innovative techniques and experimental sciences to examine both urban and rural landscapes of island populations. We must contextualize this research within the realm of micro-regional studies, as only by providing new insights into various regions and their unique realities can we gain a comprehensive understanding of the history of rural life in the Mediterranean basin.