Roads in the Deserts of Roman Egypt: Analysis, Atlas, Commentary

During the Roman era in Egypt, desert roads saw an increase in activity due to imperial prospecting, quarrying, and caravan transportation. Satellite imaging, landscape studies, and network analysis have been used to map desert trail networks with greater accuracy, but it is difficult to date roadside installations and assess their evolution. Roads in the Deserts of Roman Egypt explores evidence for desert roads and assesses Roman influence on road density in two select desert areas. It demonstrates that Roman overseers adapted well to local desert conditions, improving roads and developing the trail network. The author reconceptualizes desert trails as linear corridor structures that follow expedient routes in the desert landscape, passing through at least two functional nodes attracting human traffic. Roman administration in Egypt increased the density of local desert 'node networks, facilitated internodal connections with camel caravans, and transformed the Sahara by establishing new nodes. The study of how Romans successfully adapted to desert travel is of wider significance to the study of deserts and global warming.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 352 pages
\n Publication date: 25 June 2019
\n Publisher: Oxbow Books
\n

During the Roman era, Egypt witnessed a remarkable surge of activity in its local deserts. In the Eastern Desert, there was a notable increase in desert traffic, primarily driven by imperial prospecting and quarrying activities, as well as caravans transporting goods to and from the Red Sea ports. Meanwhile, in the Western Desert, resilient camels gradually emerged as the primary means of transportation, enabling caravans to cover greater distances in a single day, traversing previously inhospitable dunes.

In recent years, desert road archaeology has employed advanced techniques such as satellite imaging, landscape studies, and network analysis to map desert trail networks with greater precision. However, dating roadside installations and assessing their evolution in response to climatic, social, and technological changes remains a challenge.

Roads in the Deserts of Roman Egypt delves into the evidence for desert roads in Roman Egypt and explores the impact of Roman rule on road density in two specific desert regions: the central and southern portion of the Eastern Desert and the central Marmarican Plateau. The author examines various geographical and social factors that influenced road use during this period, highlighting the remarkable adaptability of Roman overseers in adapting to local desert conditions. They improved roads and developed a comprehensive trail network that facilitated trade, travel, and communication across the desert.

One of the key insights of the book is the reconceptualization of desert trails as linear corridor structures that follow expedient routes in the desert landscape. These trails, passing through at least two functional nodes, such as water sources, farmland, mines, quarries, trade hubs, military installations, or actual settlements, played a crucial role in attracting human traffic. The route of least resistance across the desert varied depending on the available road infrastructure and the beasts of burden employed.

The author also discusses the economic and social significance of desert roads, highlighting their role in promoting trade, facilitating communication, and connecting different regions of the Roman Empire. They note that the development of desert roads facilitated the movement of goods, people, and ideas, contributing to the growth and prosperity of the empire.

In conclusion, Roads in the Deserts of Roman Egypt provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of the evidence for desert roads in Roman Egypt and their impact on the development of the road network. The book offers valuable insights into the geographical, social, and economic factors that influenced road use in the desert, demonstrating the remarkable adaptability of Roman overseers in adapting to local desert conditions. It reconceptualizes desert trails as linear corridor structures that follow expedient routes in the desert landscape, highlighting their role in attracting human traffic and promoting trade and communication. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in the history and archaeology of the Roman Empire and the development of desert regions.

\n Weight: 868g\n
Dimension: 239 x 180 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781789251562\n \n