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EX FIGLINIS The Network Dynamics of the Tiber Valley Brick Industry in the Hinterland of Rome. BAR International Series 1486
- Author(s):
- Shawn Graham (see profile)
- Date:
- 2018
- Group(s):
- Archaeology
- Subject(s):
- Classical antiquities, Social networks
- Item Type:
- Book
- Tag(s):
- Roman archaeology, Complexity
- Permanent URL:
- http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/M66G5Q
- Abstract:
- The growth of the city of Rome was dependent on its ability to exploit successfully the human and natural resources of its hinterland. Although this hinterland eventually extended to incorporate the entire Mediterranean seaboard, the resources of the Tiber valley originally nourished the city and continued to do so despite the growth in imports from elsewhere in the Roman world. One of the most important industries to exploit the valley was the building industry, relying on (amongst other resources) extensive clay deposits to provide bricks. The study examines the way the Tiber valley (the immediate hinterland of Rome) functioned in terms of its economic and social geography, as evidenced by the organisation and dynamics of the brick industry. It concentrates on assemblages of stamped bricks from a number of sites in the Valley. Through an archaeometric approach to the fabrics of these bricks, coupled with a social networks analysis approach to the patterning of social and physical connections represented by the bricks and their associated stamps, the study arrives at an understanding of the social and economic relationships which characterised the city-hinterland relationship. Patterns of land exploitation are studied by locating the clay sources for bricks carrying the stamps of various figlinae and praedia. These different patterns suggest particular methods of land-tenure, which in turn allows the exploration of the sources of social power. The complex dynamics of how these sources of power change over time point to the conscious manipulation of social and physical networks in the industry. The importance of landed wealth for political and social power in Rome is a commonplace; the relationships which can be discerned in brick therefore mirror the political and social life of not only the élite, but also of their clients and tenants as well.
- Notes:
- British Archaeological Reports were published by a variety of publishers; this work was by John and Erica Hedges Ltd. Since 2010, Archaeopress has been the exclusive publisher of BAR.
- Metadata:
- xml
- Published as:
- Book
- Status:
- Published
- Last Updated:
- 5 years ago
- License:
- All Rights Reserved
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