Introduction

Nine years after the organization of a round-table conference on sugar pottery (conducting two conferences in the city of Funchal, in November 2004 and February 2005) and the subsequent publication of the conference proceedings (Sugar Pottery in Portugal during the Early Modern Period, CEAM, 2006), the Organizing Committee of this Congress pretends to increase the debate on the sugar issue from an interdisciplinary perspective, comparing the following issues:

1. Landscapes

Relationship between human and natural resources 

Sugar cane fields and landscapes - change and permanence
Sugar cane agriculture
Urban and rural property
Relationship between sugarcane and other crops

 
2. Material Civilization
Levels of wealth 

Movable and immovable cultural heritage 
Food and consumption 
Ceramics 
Artefacts and symbolic / religious utilitarian equipment
Transport and communications

3. Economy

Production of sugarcane derivatives
Industry and manufacturing
Techniques and technology
Energy resources 
Internal and external trade
Labor  
Finances