Since its inception, the IberLAND project has undertaken extensive research to reframe the understanding of land tenure in the Iberian world from 1510 to 1850. The project has successfully completed several key parts of its work and achieved significant milestones. Initially, the project focused on building an analytical and comparative framework. This foundational work was advanced through dialogue with other scholars by coordinating sections in international conferences and organizing a workshop in the first year. These efforts led to several publications, including a special issue in a Brazilian journal that gathered case studies using the proposed analytical and comparative framework. This framework is also reflected in an article by Manuel Bastias Saavedra in the same journal, an upcoming introductory chapter in an edited volume, and a submission to a journal on Global History. These publications set the stage for the project's overarching goals and provide a theoretical basis for subsequent research.
To explore the state of the art and compile a comprehensive bibliography, the project organized two internal research colloquia to review and discuss key literature on legal history and land history. This work culminated in an introductory bibliography on land tenure in the Iberian world, which is being finalized for publication. Additionally, team members presented state-of-the-art analyses of their respective case studies, further enriching the project's intellectual foundation.
The project also focused on the collection, transcription, and digital processing of historical documents. Researchers conducted research stays in various locations, including Lisbon, Seville, Madrid, Tolosa, Goa, Cape Verde, Mexico, Rio de Janeiro, and Rome. These efforts have yielded a substantial amount of original research material. A series of research colloquia facilitated the critical reading and discussion of primary sources, contributing to the preparation of a commented volume on primary sources, which is intended for publication. A document database is also under construction to support ongoing and future research.
In analysing primary sources, researchers presented their case studies during a series of research colloquia, receiving feedback from team members and associated researchers. This collaborative effort has led to the preparation of several manuscripts, including articles and dissertation chapters.
Regarding publications and dissertations, the project has already produced several significant works. These include an article on the social construction of nature and land relations, a book chapter on jurisdiction and village tenures in northern Spain, and a forthcoming book chapter on land tenure in Brazil. A special issue in a leading Brazilian law journal has also been published, featuring contributions from the project team and other scholars. These publications highlight the project's impact on academic discourse and its contribution to rethinking legal regimes of land.
The project has emphasized dissemination and networking by organizing numerous workshops, giving talks, and participating in international conferences to share its findings with a broader audience. A major conference on ownership regimes in the Iberian world was hosted, resulting in two forthcoming volumes in a prestigious series. The team has also co-organized a workshop in Paris, leading to a special issue due for publication. The project's network has been strengthened through collaborations with scholars from Brazil, Spain, Argentina, and Chile, who actively participate in colloquia and other activities.
The project has made significant progress in its mission to provide a new, non-Eurocentric history of land tenure. The research conducted so far has established a strong basis for the project's ongoing work, resulting in numerous publications, a growing document database, and an expanding network of international scholars contributing to a deeper understanding of historical land relations in the Iberian world.
