Il mercato nel Regno d'Italia (VIII - metà dell'XI secolo) : archeologia e storia

This study intends to define the features and the organization of markets in the Kingdom of Italy between the 8th and the first half of the 11th century, and to examine their functions and meaning by a joint analysis of both written and archeological sources. During late Lombard age a complex and organized network of markets already existed in the Kingom. During 9th-11th centuries it was structured following earth's and fluvial routes which led from Alps to Venice, joining North Europe commercial circuits to Mediterranean basin. Moreover, markets, especially the rural ones, seem to be influenced by evolution of production systems and by demographic growth, which both determined thei frequency and development on the territory. Nevertheless worth and functions of markets are not ascribed only to the economic sphere, but they also spread to the social, politic and religious one.