Máquinas de asedio, pólvora y cañones en al-Andalus nazarí. La artillería pirobalística en el emirato de los Banū Naṣr de Granada (629-897 H./1232-1492 e.C.)

Abstract

Study of the presence and use of pyro-ballistic artillery (gunpowder and cannons) during Naṣrid al-Andalus (Muslim Spain, 1232-1492) mainly on the the Arabic sources, both in defensive and offensive actions. It discusses the cases of: Huéscar 1324, Guardamar 1331, Cabra 1332, Algeciras 1342, Alcaudete 1408, Moclín 1409, 1485 and 1486, Malaga 1487, and others. The results confirm the pioneering use of pyro-ballistic artillery in 1324 and later uses as well as its reduced efficiency and little development, something that determined the presence and the fundamental role of neurobalistic artillery until the end of the 15th century. A terminological and lexicographic analysis has provided relevant chronological data. Pyro-ballistic use has been demonstrated in two Naṣrid cases (Huéscar 1324, Algeciras 1342) and the Maġribi precedent of Siǧilmāsa 1274. It has been shown to be erroneous –or not sufficiently demonstrated- in the Andalusian cases of Algeciras 1279, Niebla 1262, Baza 1324, Tarifa 1340 and the Maġribi of Mahdiyya 1206.