Towns and road networks in southern Spain during the Iberian and roman periods

Isaksen, Leif, Earl, Graeme and Keay, Simon (2007) Towns and road networks in southern Spain during the Iberian and roman periods. Mayoral, Victorino (ed.) In Proceedings of the 5th Merida Symposium on Archaeology. Merida Symposium on Archaeology. pp. 617-630 .

Abstract

This paper provides an introduction to the Urban Connectivity in Iron-Age and Roman Southern Spain project. In particular it introduces a methodology for applying network analysis tools to complex and variable information relating to Roman communication routes. The primary sources of information drawn upon to identify transport routes are the Roman itineraries, given the paucity of material evidence for transport infrastructure outside of urban settlements. Through the integration of such data with inscriptions, architecture and artefacts within their broader geographical canvass, this paper attempts to model connections in the broader context of known Iberian and Roman urban settlement patterns. This wider Urban Connectivity project is structured around five research questions:

(1) How significant were geographical considerations in the location of towns in southern Spain between the 5th century BC and the 2nd century AD ?
(2) How significant were inter-urban relationships over the same period ?
(3) How were they manifested ?
(4) What was the impact of Rome on these relationships ?
(5) What kind of methodologies can be developed for characterizing connections between towns ?

This paper explores methodological issues related to the possibilities for representation, reconstruction and analysis of transport and communication networks in Baetica. In particular it addresses conceptual, data, computational and visualisation issues inherent in such a study

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Contributors

Author: Graeme Earl

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