MAPPING HINTERLAND RESOURCES IN THE RURAL LANDSCAPE OF GREEK POLEIS ISTROS AND TOMIS DURING THE ROMAN PERIOD
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14795/jaha.12.3.2025.1374Keywords:
Rural landscape, hinterland resources, agricultural potential, Moesia Inferior, Roman EmpireAbstract
Mapping the rural territories of two Greek poleis in the Roman province of Moesia Inferior (Romania and Bulgaria) is essential for understanding their agricultural potential and the patterns of urban expansion or retreat during the 1st–3rd centuries AD. This study investigates the location of rural sites through field research, considering geography, soil quality, and proximity to resources, roads, and water sources. The goal is to identify the criteria Roman farmers used when selecting sites and to determine which resources were considered most desirable. For instance, do more sites appear on a particular geological type simply because it covers the largest area, or was its selection intentional? By analysing these patterns, we can assess site preferences and settlement dynamics. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have transformed archaeological research by enabling spatial analysis, predictive modelling, and landscape reconstruction. This paper examines GIS applications in site detection, environmental reconstruction, and cultural landscape analysis while addressing associated challenges and future directions. Integrating GIS with remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics can further enhance archaeological methodologies and provide new insights into past human activities.
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