Defenses of ḥiṣn Qannῑṭ (Cañete la Real - Malaga) and the revolt of the Banū l-Jalῑʿ: fortresses, ceramics and written sources

Abstract

It has been affirmed that the late medieval fortress that dominates the town of Cañete la Real (Málaga) corresponds to the hisn Qannit cited by the sources in the emiral period. The present article identifies the place name with the existing medieval fortress on the hill of Horca, also called Sabora, located on the periurban area of the modern town. In order to do so, special attention is paid to the sumptuous Early Medieval pottery on the settlement, pieces adapted to the style and social prestige of both the local lords and the Umayyads representatives who settled in the fortress. From a historical perspective, we delve into the existing debate around the social characterization of the tribal groups established in Tākurunnā (Ronda region), whose conduct cannot be compared to that of those who were loyal to the Banū Jalῑʿ, former client of the Umayyads. The latters adopted an assimilationist position from the first third of the 8th century. Finally, the article offers a first approximation to the fortresses closest to ḥiṣn Qannῑṭ and collect archaeological evidence of their constructive characteristics.