Seasides of Byzantium: Harbours and Anchorages of a Mediterranean Empire

This volume discusses new geoarchaeological research methodologies in harbor archaeology, as well as general phenomena such as the organization of the Byzantine navy and its operations. The studies examine case studies for the most important maritime core region of the Byzantine Empire, the Aegean, and explore the social embedding of the seasides to understand their dynamics. The conference »Seasides of Byzantium. Harbours and Anchorages of a Mediterranean Empire«, held in Athens in 2017, united historians, archaeologists, and geoarchaeologists to explore harbours and anchorages as core maritime infrastructure to the Late Roman and Byzantine Empire.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 23 February 2022
Publisher: Schnell & Steiner GmbH, Verlag

This volume delves into a wide range of topics, including the organization of the Byzantine navy and its operations, as well as innovative geoarchaeological research methodologies in harbor archaeology. The majority of the contributions in this volume focus on case studies of the most significant maritime core region of the Byzantine Empire, the Aegean Sea. This sea played a crucial role in connecting the remaining provinces of the empire in Southeastern Europe and Asia Minor after the loss of Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and North Africa to the Arabs in the 7th century A.D. In addition to examining the technical and geographical aspects, the studies in this volume emphasize the need to explore the social embedding of Byzantium's seashores to understand their complex dynamics.

The conference "Seasides of Byzantium. Harbours and Anchorages of a Mediterranean Empire," held in Athens in 2017, was a collaborative effort between the DFG-funded Special Research Programme (SPP-1630) "Harbours from the Roman Period to the Middle Ages" and the National Hellenic Research Foundation. The conference brought together historians, archaeologists, and geoarchaeologists to explore harbours and anchorages as vital maritime infrastructure to the Late Roman and Byzantine Empires.

The Aegean Sea, which connected the remaining provinces of the empire, played a crucial role in the Byzantine Empire's maritime trade and connectivity. The conference aimed to shed light on the role of these harbours and anchorages in the empire's economic, political, and cultural development. The participants discussed various aspects of harbor archaeology, including the identification and excavation of shipwrecks, the analysis of maritime artifacts, and the study of coastal settlement patterns.

One of the key themes of the conference was the exploration of the social and cultural significance of the seasides of Byzantium. The participants emphasized the need to understand the complex relationships between the sea and the Byzantine society, including the role of the sea in religious practices, trade, and cultural exchange. They also discussed the impact of maritime technology and infrastructure on the development of Byzantine cities and towns, such as the construction of fortifications, docks, and lighthouse.

The conference also showcased the latest research methodologies in geoarchaeology, such as remote sensing, GIS, and 3D modeling, which are being used to investigate harbor archaeology. These techniques allow researchers to gather detailed information about the spatial and temporal distribution of archaeological sites and artifacts, and to analyze them in greater detail than ever before.

Overall, the "Seasides of Byzantium. Harbours and Anchorages of a Mediterranean Empire" conference was a significant milestone in the study of Byzantine harbor archaeology. It brought together experts from different fields and fostered a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between the sea and the Byzantine Empire. The conference's findings will have a lasting impact on our understanding of the Late Roman and Byzantine world and will contribute to the ongoing development of harbor archaeology as a field of study.

Weight: 1314g
Dimension: 300 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783884673379