This study investigates sustainable resource use in ancient Sicily, focusing in particular on ancient Kamarina in the south-east part of the island. Given the available archaeological sources, and the fact that the surrounding landscape is not very dynamic, the chora of Kamarina seemed a particularly suitable study area. In addition, new data generated by the Göttingen Kamarina-survey were also available. Alongside an assessment of the archaeological and historical sources relating to Kamarina, the sediments and geomorphology of the Kamarina chora were studied and the palaeovegetation was reconstructed. No marked sediment deposits indicating episodes of substantial erosion could be recognised during the geoarchaeological analysis. Soil fertility around the ancient city was not restricted, so that the inhabitants of ancient Kamarina were neither inhibited by poor soils nor by erosion. The archaeobotanical and palynological results clearly show that the Greeks intensively used the Oanis valley and grew a range of cultivars. Measures of sustainable activity in ancient Sicily are visible in the form of irrigation systems, canals and cisterns, as well as in the use of agriculturally marginal areas, the building of central storage facilities, trade and stockpiling of resources. In addition, the diversification of cultivars, manuring methods, fallow fields and terracing contributed to the maintenance of the resources necessary for survival. In addition, comparative reflections on land use in ancient Sicily further confirm that the ancient settlers were capable of acting sustainably, as is also illustrated using four further case studies.weiterlesen