Computational Approaches to the Study of Movement in Archaeology: Theory, Practice and Interpretation of Factors and Effects of Long Term Landscape Formation ... – Berliner Studien der Alten Welt) by Polla Silvia

Author:Polla, Silvia [Polla, Silvia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: De Gruyter
Published: 2014-07-27T16:00:00+00:00

Philip Verhagen 23 , Silvia Polla 24 , Ian Frommer 25

Finding Byzantine junctions with Steiner trees

1 Introduction

In archaeology, computational approaches to the study of movement practices have become more and more popular in recent years, especially when applied to prehistoric contexts (Bell / Lock 2000; Llobera 2000; De Silva / Pizziolo 2001; van Leusen 2002; Fábrega Álvarez / Parcero Oubiña 2007; Snead et al. 2009; Llobera et al. 2011). The main aim of these methods is not just to reconstruct paths and road systems, but to use these models to understand the establishment and transformation of a hierarchical network of settlement nodes, also including a focus on off-site land use practices.

In this paper, we will introduce an example of the use of GIS-based modelling techniques for the study of the Roman-Byzantine communication system in the Roman Province of Cappadocia, in modern Turkey. We will argue that adopting a landscape archaeology approach to the analysis of an historic road system contributes to a deeper understanding of settlement dynamics (Bell et al. 2002). A GIS-based, spatial approach allows us to study settlements and pathways in a more formal manner and, by doing so, to address questions about ancient cognitive geography and past decision-making processes (Rockman / Steele 2003). By systematically analysing the structure and phenomenology of the Roman provincial landscape, indicators of power and social order can be extracted from agricultural centuriation and communication systems (Witcher 1998; Laurence 1999). In the cultural context of Roman and Byzantine communication systems, GIS methods are usually employed to reconstruct ancient routes in the landscape. These reconstructions are constrained by the possibilities of testing the model with material evidence of roads (remains, milestones, bridges; see Graßhoff / Mittenhuber 2009). A further limitation concerns the integration of path models created at a micro-regional scale with a macro-regional approach that considers the road system as a coherent planned network of connections.

We therefore aim here to combine path models constructed on the basis of topographic and environmental constraints at the micro-regional level – like slope, distance to natural resources, and visibility – with a model of macro-regional movement in a strategic network composed of nodes and junctions. In this network, movement is structured and affected by “cultural” constraints, like site density and distribution, and the position of strategic administrative, economic, religious and/or military centres .

The integration of these two approaches is realized by combining a GIS approach for modelling segments of the system (paths), based on the environmental context, with a Steiner tree vector-based approach that takes into account the nodes and edges of the system. As an example, we use the documented inter-regional road system of Cappadocia that was established in the Roman period. It follows the previous pattern of macro- (Persian Royal Road) 26 and micro-regional (tribal villages) movement axes (Mitford 2000). Written sources and archaeological remains document this pattern of communication routes, consisting of strategic connections along a set of way stations. It can still be recognized in the pattern of Seljuk caravanserais in historical times (Hild 1977).

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