This thesis attempts firstly to reconstruct the urban system or systems of the Roman Near east in the second and early third centuries C.E., consisting of the provinces of Syria Coele, Syria... Show moreThis thesis attempts firstly to reconstruct the urban system or systems of the Roman Near east in the second and early third centuries C.E., consisting of the provinces of Syria Coele, Syria Phoenice, Syria Palaestina, Osrhoene, Mesopotamia and Arabia. Secondly it analyses the different regional patterns within these systems. The first two chapters of the thesis describe the urban systems in the north and south of the Roman Near East respectively. The third chapter analyses to what degree the distribution of cities, and their sizes, relate to the agricultural productivity of the urban territories. The fourth chapter takes a detailed look at the largest city of the region, Antioch. The research shows that geographic factors and historical developments certainly played a role in the long term and defined the shape of urban networks in the region, but with ample room for human agency. Although we clearly see population growth compared to earlier periods, Roman cities in the Near East were nonetheless not particularly big, and most could be sustained with agricultural production from their direct hinterlands. From that perspective there is no reason to assume that integration into the Roman empire also brought stronger economic integration. Show less
This paper discusses the role of ‘towns’ in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle from an interdisciplinary perspective, drawing on insights from the discipline of archaeology. How did the Chronicle depict... Show moreThis paper discusses the role of ‘towns’ in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle from an interdisciplinary perspective, drawing on insights from the discipline of archaeology. How did the Chronicle depict these places? Can we discern changes over time? Through an analysis of the Chronicle texts as a living set of documents, the paper comments both on the role of ‘towns’ in early medieval England and on the function of the Chronicle in contemporary society. It concludes that ‘towns’ in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle existed between material reality and literary topos: their physicality carried as much symbolism as their literary depictions. Show less
The creation of new capital cities are watershed moments in the lives of ancient empires. Assyria, arguably the most successful imperial state of the ancient Near East, repeatedly engaged in... Show moreThe creation of new capital cities are watershed moments in the lives of ancient empires. Assyria, arguably the most successful imperial state of the ancient Near East, repeatedly engaged in capital creation. Capital creation denotes the development of a monumental capital, either in a new location or through the profound transformation of a pre-existing settlement. This dissertation focusses on the rationale, construction, and function of the imperial capitals of Assyria: Kār-Tukultī-Ninurta, Kalḫu, Dur-Šarrukēn, and Nineveh.By exploring three key questions – why was a capital created, how was a capital created, and what were the functions of the capital – this study presents a comparative analysis of these four urban centers and presents a new perspective on their creation, as well as an innovative framework for the study of capital creation from antiquity to today. Show less
The present study explores the role of water in the ancient Roman city of Ostia.In antiquity, Ostia was situated at the intersection of the Tiber River and the Mediterranean Sea, and acted as one... Show moreThe present study explores the role of water in the ancient Roman city of Ostia.In antiquity, Ostia was situated at the intersection of the Tiber River and the Mediterranean Sea, and acted as one of the harbour cities of Rome for several centuries.This study investigates how water was acquired, used, and drained away in Ostia, and how these systems changed over time. To achieve a high level of resolution, three city blocks (insulae), were selected as case studies: III, i; IV, ii; and V, ii.to contextualize these hydraulic systems, the present study developed a new methodology, the Roman Water Footprint. The method was inspired by 21st century ways of understanding how and why water is used in modern cities. These modern insights have indicated that sustainable water usage is based not only on advanced hydraulic technology, but also includes environmental factors, and a strong cultural factor.The results of the study indicate that Roman water usage was much more diverse and flexible than has been previously appreciated.By placing Roman water systems into dialogue with the methodologies of modern sustainable water research, this study forms an initial bridge between modern and ancient approaches to water and urbanism. Show less
Barrett, J.H.; Orton, D.; Johnstone, C.; Harland, J.; Van Neer, W.; Ervynck, A.; ... ; Richards, M. 2011
Archaeological fish bones reveal increases in marine fish utilisation in Northern and Western Europe beginning in the 10th and 11th centuries AD. We use stable isotope signatures from 300... Show moreArchaeological fish bones reveal increases in marine fish utilisation in Northern and Western Europe beginning in the 10th and 11th centuries AD. We use stable isotope signatures from 300 archaeological cod (Gadus morhua) bones to determine whether this sea fishing revolution resulted from increased local fishing or the introduction of preserved fish transported from distant waters such as Arctic Norway, Iceland and/or the Northern Isles of Scotland (Orkney and Shetland). Results from 12 settlements in England and Flanders (Belgium) indicate that catches were initially local. Between the 9th and 12th centuries most bones represented fish from the southern North Sea. Conversely, by the 13th to 14th centuries demand was increasingly met through long distance transport - signalling the onset of the globalisation of commercial fisheries and suggesting that cities such as London quickly outgrew the capacity of local fish supplies. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Show less
The dissertation investigates the settlement system development of the Jenin region during the transitional period from the Late Chalcolithic to the Early Bronze Age. It is based on three... Show moreThe dissertation investigates the settlement system development of the Jenin region during the transitional period from the Late Chalcolithic to the Early Bronze Age. It is based on three components.1) The first is the investigation of the settlement systems of the Jenin region during the Chalcolithic to the Early Bronze Age. It is an attempt to develop the principles of some approaches discussed before with the objective of reconstructing the economy and population trends in the region. 2) The second component is an analysis of Tell Jenin historical and archaeological data sources relevant to the Early Bronze Age I transition and settlement systems developments. 3) The third component is a technological analysis of the Early Bronze Age I pottery traditions from Tell Jenin.The discussions of the three components are based stratigraphic and pottery data from Tell Jenin excavations and surveys, conducted by Birzeit University between 1977 and 1986. Other data sources on the region were also used. I use various methods to analyze these data, namely, GIS mapping, full stratigraphic analysis, and petrographic and technological analysis of the pottery. Show less
