A fragmented history. A methodological and artefactual approach to the study of ancient settlement in the territories of Satricum and Antium

PhD ceremony: Mr. G.W. Tol, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Dissertation: A fragmented history. A methodological and artefactual approach to the study of ancient settlement in the territories of Satricum and Antium

Promotor(s): prof. P.A.J. Attema

Faculty: Arts

Between 2003 and 2005 the Groninger Institute for Archaeology carried out archaeological surveys within the framework of the Pontine Region Project. Such surveys entail the systematic walking of an area, mapping all remnants of ancient occupation visible on the surface (usually pottery and building debris). However, a number of factors (such as methodological choices, variation in the knowledge and recognizability of the material remains between periods, human interferences in the landscape) limit the analytical and interpretational potential of the acquired data. Tol’s thesis attempts to increase this potential by means of four problem-orientated case-studies. These are: 1) additional sampling on previously mapped sites; 2) the study of the archaeological collection of a local museum; 3) the execution of full-coverage surveys on four sites, and 4) the mapping and sampling of a site dating to a poorly documented period. Together, these four case-studies provide a better insight into the scale and nature of ancient occupation in the study area, especially for previously poorly documented periods. Also, they provide a more solid quantitative basis to approach socio-economic issues (ancient demography, economic growth, town-countryside relations). The study area is located 60 kilometres south of Rome and covers part of the hinterland of the ancient towns of Satricum and Antium. In chronological terms the study focuses on the time-span between the Archaic (6th c. BC) and early Medieval (7th c. AD) period.