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Pressly Forum: Sarah Slingluff, “From the Silo to the Masses: Goods, People, and History of the Medieval Islamic World”

Sarah Slingluff

Pressly Forum: Sarah Slingluff, “From the Silo to the Masses: Goods, People, and History of the Medieval Islamic World”

Art History and Archaeology Wednesday, October 1, 2025 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Parren J. Mitchell Art/Sociology Building, 4213A, Michelle Smith Collaboratory for Visual Culture

Both popular and academic cultural histories portray the early medieval past of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) through a lens of religious conflict, asserting that the fortifications for which the region is named were founded to enforce a border between the Islamicate and Christianate worlds. Yet little of this portrayal is rooted in the material culture or historical circumstances of the region. This talk will focus on how features of the fortress of Zorita led to a questioning of canonical retellings and investigations into moments that advanced this militaristic narrative.

Zorita Castle, photo by author
Zorita Castle, photo by author

In addition, this presentation will discuss how the use of digital technologies (GIS, 3D printing) supported the ways in which this investigation informed Dr. Slingluff's current approaches to research, education, and public outreach. She will trace how working in digital spaces led to current initiatives of the Digital Lab for Islamic Visual Culture and Collections (DLIVCC), specifically in thinking about how to engage the general public.

Example of History of Baghdad codex entry, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, 2024, © Ubisoft Entertainment SA. Used with permission.
In-game depiction of Samarra in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, 2024, © Ubisoft Entertainment SA. Used with permission.

The Pressly Forum offers members of Department faculty and selected speakers to give a talk to members of the Department (faculty, staff, students) in an effort to create bonds of intellectual and collegial community. The forum is the brainchild of Professor Emeritus William L. Pressly, after whom the forum now is named. A light lunch will be served at 11:30.

Please join us for what promises to be a most memorable hour (but no live-gaming....yet!).

In-game depiction of Samarra in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, 2024, © Ubisoft Entertainment SA. Used with permission.
Example of History of Baghdad codex entry, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, 2024, © Ubisoft Entertainment SA. Used with permission.

 

Add to Calendar 10/01/25 12:00:00 10/01/25 13:00:00 America/New_York Pressly Forum: Sarah Slingluff, “From the Silo to the Masses: Goods, People, and History of the Medieval Islamic World”

Both popular and academic cultural histories portray the early medieval past of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) through a lens of religious conflict, asserting that the fortifications for which the region is named were founded to enforce a border between the Islamicate and Christianate worlds. Yet little of this portrayal is rooted in the material culture or historical circumstances of the region. This talk will focus on how features of the fortress of Zorita led to a questioning of canonical retellings and investigations into moments that advanced this militaristic narrative.

Zorita Castle, photo by author
Zorita Castle, photo by author

In addition, this presentation will discuss how the use of digital technologies (GIS, 3D printing) supported the ways in which this investigation informed Dr. Slingluff's current approaches to research, education, and public outreach. She will trace how working in digital spaces led to current initiatives of the Digital Lab for Islamic Visual Culture and Collections (DLIVCC), specifically in thinking about how to engage the general public.

Example of History of Baghdad codex entry, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, 2024, © Ubisoft Entertainment SA. Used with permission.
In-game depiction of Samarra in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, 2024, © Ubisoft Entertainment SA. Used with permission.

The Pressly Forum offers members of Department faculty and selected speakers to give a talk to members of the Department (faculty, staff, students) in an effort to create bonds of intellectual and collegial community. The forum is the brainchild of Professor Emeritus William L. Pressly, after whom the forum now is named. A light lunch will be served at 11:30.

Please join us for what promises to be a most memorable hour (but no live-gaming....yet!).

In-game depiction of Samarra in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, 2024, © Ubisoft Entertainment SA. Used with permission.
Example of History of Baghdad codex entry, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, 2024, © Ubisoft Entertainment SA. Used with permission.

 

Parren J. Mitchell Art/Sociology Building false