Work

Finding a Way: Modeling Landscape Prerequisites for Roman and Early‐Medieval Routes in the Netherlands

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: This study focuses on reconstructing landscape prerequisites for Roman and early‐medieval routes in the Netherlands. We applied spatial modeling to modern and paleogeographical landscape data in order to determine geographical obstacles for possible translocation in ca. A.D. 100 and 800 via land and water. Network‐friction values were calculated to produce a spatial model of possible movement corridors and to enable the integration of archaeological data. Results show that in geographically dynamic lowland regions such as the current Netherlands, landscape units such as water, peat, and levees must have had a high impact on route orientation. The lower parts of the western Netherlands were almost inaccessible by land, implying that its inhabitants largely must have depended on rivers and streams for transportation. In Dutch coastal and river areas, the landscape changed drastically between A.D. 100 and 800, the largest changes occurring along the coast.

Source: Geoarchaeology

DOI: 10.1002/gea.21510

Authors: Rowin J. van Lanen, Menne C. Kosian, Bert J. Groenewoudt, Esther Jansma

Institutions: Utrecht University, Cultural Heritage Agency of Netherlands

Language: English

Topic: Archaeological Research and Protection

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: green

Funder: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek