GIS Analysis and Spatial Networking Patterns in Upland Ancient Warfare: The Roman Conquest of Dacia
dc.contributor.author | Oltean, IA | |
dc.contributor.author | Fonte, J | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2021-01-04T08:40:36Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2020-12-31 | |
dc.description.abstract | Generally seen as natural peripheries, upland landscapes present particular challenges both in terms of living, and of recording past human activity within. LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology has now brought considerable improvement in our ability to record and map surviving archaeological features, but not necessarily increased our appreciation of local agency. Though the iconic landscape around the Iron Age Dacian capital of Sarmizegetusa Regia (Romania) and its Roman conquest have long caught the attention of specialists and the wider public, both previous research and more recent results from an airborne LiDAR survey leave considerable gaps in our understanding of networking potential across this challenging landscape. Based on LiDAR and satellite-generated high- and mid-resolution topographic data, our paper employs an innovative combination of GIS (geographic information system) spatial analysis tools to examine the spatial relationships between Roman military bases, Dacian targets, and the wider landscape as an integral part of a wider interdisciplinary archaeological research. This helped us formulate and test spatial and historical hypotheses, according to which all known and potential Roman military bases in the study area functioned as part of a system where each contributed individual advantages in securing their domination across the landscape. Our research highlighted the advantages and challenges for Comărnicelu as one of the key Roman logistical nodes, and for the attackers at Şesului and Muncelu working in tandem to besiege and subdue Sarmizegetusa Regia. Our study raises doubts with respect of the fall and destruction of the hillfort at Vârfu lui Hulpe as a result of a Roman siege, making space for alternative political narratives. Ultimately, our findings help build a better understanding of this iconic world heritage landscape and its Roman conquest. | en_GB |
dc.description.sponsorship | European Commission | en_GB |
dc.description.sponsorship | European Union Horizon 2020 | en_GB |
dc.description.sponsorship | Galician Innovation Agency (GAIN) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) | en_GB |
dc.identifier.citation | Vol. 11 (1), article 17 | en_GB |
dc.identifier.doi | 10.3390/geosciences11010017 | |
dc.identifier.grantnumber | 2010-1486/001-0-01 | en_GB |
dc.identifier.grantnumber | 794048 | en_GB |
dc.identifier.grantnumber | IN606B-2016/002 | en_GB |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10871/124283 | |
dc.language.iso | en | en_GB |
dc.publisher | MDPI | en_GB |
dc.rights | © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). | en_GB |
dc.subject | GIS | en_GB |
dc.subject | spatial analysis | en_GB |
dc.subject | remote sensing | en_GB |
dc.subject | Roman conquest | en_GB |
dc.subject | Dacia | en_GB |
dc.title | GIS Analysis and Spatial Networking Patterns in Upland Ancient Warfare: The Roman Conquest of Dacia | en_GB |
dc.type | Article | en_GB |
dc.date.available | 2021-01-04T08:40:36Z | |
dc.description | This is the final version. Available from MDPI via the DOI in this record. | en_GB |
dc.description | Data available on request from the corresponding author. | en_GB |
dc.identifier.journal | Geosciences | en_GB |
dc.rights.uri | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | en_GB |
dcterms.dateAccepted | 2020-12-28 | |
exeter.funder | ::European Commission | en_GB |
exeter.funder | ::European Commission | en_GB |
rioxxterms.version | VoR | en_GB |
rioxxterms.licenseref.startdate | 2020-12-28 | |
rioxxterms.type | Journal Article/Review | en_GB |
refterms.dateFCD | 2021-01-04T08:32:14Z | |
refterms.versionFCD | VoR | |
refterms.dateFOA | 2021-01-04T08:40:43Z | |
refterms.panel | C | en_GB |
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's licence is described as © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).