Proposals for an archaeological analysis of pathways and movement

Movement has played a significant role in archaeological analyses of territoriality in recent years. The incorporation of technologies such as GIS has reinforced that role, since they have made it possible to conduct detailed in-depth investigations of the natural constraints for movement. In this paper we describe a procedure developed to explore the relationship between networks of pathways, settlements and territory, following a “backward” perspective that tries to approach the processes of historical transformation of pathways. The proposal is applied to an area in Galicia (NW Iberian Peninsula), between the provinces of A Coruña and Pontevedra

A GIS-based analysis of the rationale behind Roman roads. The case of the so-called VIA XVII (NW Iberian Peninsula)

This is the final version. Available on open access from the University of the Aegean via the DOI in this recordThe aim of this paper is to dig deeper in order to gain a better understanding of the territorial logic of Roman roads, following some recent approaches based on the use of digital modelling tools. Taking the case of the so-called via XVII (a ca. 330 km itinerary which joined Bracara Augusta and Asturica Augusta, NW Iberian Peninsula), the paper explores various factors, both natural and cultural, which may have been determinant in the layout of main roads in the Roman period. This study has followed a non-reconstructive methodology based on the theoretical idea of "least-cost paths" implemented by way of GIS tools. The analysis combines different variables which have an impact on human mobility (such as terrain slope and altitude, and the a priori existence of some primary nodes) and different spatial scales of analysis. As an outcome, we have achieved a detailed understanding of the factors behind the layout of this road and, in doing so, we have also drawn some conclusions regarding the historical context of its origin and development. The methodology and some of the results may be pertinent for the analysis of Roman roads elsewhere and, to some extent, for the wider analysis of ancient roads

Agricultural production in the 1st millennium BCE in Northwest Iberia: results of carbon isotope analysis

This work presents the first results of carbon isotope (δ13C) analysis of seeds (Triticum dicoccum, Triticum aestivum/durum, Triticum cf. spelta and Hordeum vulgare L.) from archaeological contexts from the settlement sites of A Fontela and Castrovite in Northwest Iberia, which cover a chronological range between 1050 cal BC and 25 cal AD. In addition, 142 present-day wheat seeds from 16 plots cultivated in 2014 and 2015 across this region were analysed. The results obtained for A Fontela and Castrovite were − 23.6‰ (between − 25.3 and − 21.4) and − 24.0‰ (between − 26.6 and − 21.8), respectively. Taking into account changes in the isotope composition of atmospheric carbon (δ13Catm), the Δ13C values were 17.5‰ (A Fontela) and 18.0‰ (Castrovite). In Castrovite, differences between storage facilities were detected, which could be related to the exploitation of different areas for cultivation, possibly indicating a family-based organization of agricultural production.This work was supported by a FPU grant at the Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (AP2012-1353) and part of this research is included in the PhD Thesis of Adrián Mora-González “Irrigación y secano en el Mediterráneo Occidental (III-I milenio A.N.E.): un estudio isotópico”. This research has been conducted within the framework of the HAR2015-66009-P “Arqueología y Química. Reconstruyendo los hábitos alimenticios en la cultura de El Argar” funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, the Project RNM-8011 and the research groups RNM309 and HUM274 (Junta de Andalucía). The archaeobotanical studies of A Fontela and Castrovite were undertaken in the project “Paleoenvironment and Paleoeconomics during the 1st millennium BC”. We also thank Xulio Carballo Arceo, Josefa Rey Castiñeira and Cliodhna Ni Lionain for valuable comments on a draft of the text, leading to measurable improvements