A new study of the Batavians - NICO ROYMANS, ETHNIC IDENTITY AND IMPERIAL POWER. THE BATAVIANS IN THE EARLY ROMAN EMPIRE (Amsterdam Archaeological Studies 10; Amsterdam University Press2004). Pp. xi + 277, many figs. including colour. ISBN 978-90-5356-705-0. EUR. 47.75.

Geological, geomorphological and soil maps provide important information on the substrate as well as on the past and present physical landscape. For the intensely studied Netherlands coastal plain and Rhine–Meuse delta, many such map datasets have been compiled over the last two centuries. These mapping materials comprise older and younger legacy datasets, often fragmented over regions. They have been compiled within various research traditions and by various parties, involving geologists, soil scientists, geomorphologists and landscape archaeologists. The maps and datasets summarise overwhelming amounts of underlying data accumulated over the last few centuries, and are therefore valuable for reconstructing past landscapes. Digital-infrastructure developments have enhanced possibilities for recombining existing and new data over the last few decades, e.g. through GIS solutions such as palaeogeographical base maps, from which multiple derived map products can be generated. Integration of thematic information from various source maps and underlying data is needed to use the accumulated data diversity to its full potential and to answer applied and fundamental scientific questions. Using diverse information to compile or update maps, however, requires awareness of legacy surveying strategies and the state of knowledge at the time the original data and maps were produced. This paper reviews the soil, geological and geomorphological mapping traditions. We evaluate their products, underlying data and the reasoning behind their compilation, focusing on their use in conventional and digital palaeogeographical mapping. This helps get the most out of large quantities of legacy and modern data, a major challenge for surface and substrate digital mapping in the big-data era.

Section: Palaeogeographical Research Traditions and Map Productsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of geological, geomorphological and soil mapping products in palaeolandscape reconstructions for the Netherlands

Pierik

Cohen

2020

“…During the first century AD the central and southern parts of the study area became an integral part of the Roman Empire (Figs 1 and 2; e.g. Van Es, 1981; Willems, 1986). Roman influence drastically changed the prehistoric landscape south of the Roman frontier ( limes ), and altered other parts of the country in a more indirect manner.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This influence led, among other things, to the foundation of cities such as Noviomagus and Forum Hadrianus, planned landscape organisation, centralised governance, extensive transport networks, the introduction of coinage and large-scale surplus production (e.g. Van Es, 1981; Willems, 1986). Furthermore, Roman influence led to the first systematic (small-scale) reclamation activities through the construction of canals, culverts, dams and ditches (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In general, the Roman period in the study region was characterised by economic prosperity and strong demographic growth, most notably during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD (the early- and middle-Roman periods (ERP and MRP; 12 BC–AD 270) respectively; e.g. Bloemers, 1978; Willems, 1986; Dijkstra, 2011; Table 1). During these centuries the number and size of settlements increased drastically.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although this demographic and economic decline occurred in the whole of the Netherlands, there appear to have been temporal and regional differences (e.g. on the sandy soils in the southern Netherlands (the present-day province of North-Brabant), depopulation started as early as the mid-3rd century, whereas in areas north of the Roman limes it followed only decennia later; Willems, 1986; B. Van Munster, unpublished report, 2012; Heeren, 2015; Groenewoudt & Van Lanen, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Revealing the past through modelling? Reflections on connectivity, habitation and persistence in the Dutch Delta during the 1st millennium AD

Lanen

2020

This paper focuses on unravelling the 1st millennium AD in the present-day Netherlands and the applicability of modelling when studying the past. By presenting the results of several studies analysing changes (or persistence) in connectivity and habitation patterns, the significance of these findings for (spatial) modelling is derived. The transition between the Roman and early-medieval periods is particularly interesting in this respect as it is characterised by severe pan-European political, socio-economic and demographic changes. Additionally, recent studies in geosciences increasingly point to marked climatic and landscape changes, such as river avulsions and floods, occurring at the same time. The extent to which these environmental and cultural dynamics were entwined and mutually influential is generally unknown, especially on larger-scale levels. Lowlands, such as the Netherlands, are especially suited to study these complex interactions since boundary conditions, i.e. the set of conditions required for maintaining the existing equilibrium in a region, in such areas are particularly sensitive to change. In this paper the combined results of several recently developed landscape-archaeological models are presented. These models spatially analyse natural and cultural dynamics in five manifestations: route networks, long-distance transport, settlement patterns, palaeodemographics and land-use systems. Combined, these manifestations provide information on connectivity, persistence and habitation, key concepts for the cultural landscape as a whole. Results show that only by integrating these modelling outcomes is it possible to reconstruct boundary conditions and high-resolution spatio-temporal frameworks for cultural-landscape change. Equally, these models invite reflection on their applicability and, as such, point to the need for new theoretical framing and the development of more multi-proxy, evidence-based and transdisciplinary research approaches in archaeology. The evident interrelationship between cultural and natural-landscape dynamics necessitates a more integrated and transparent research attitude, covering multiple scales and studying the cultural landscape as a whole. Only then can models reflect historical reality as closely as possible.

Exploring Roman and early-medieval habitation of the Rhine–Meuse delta: modelling large-scale demographic changes and corresponding land-use impact

Lanen

Kleijn²,

Gouw-Bouman

et al. 2018

In this study we apply an evidence-based approach to model population-size fluctuations and their corresponding impact on land use during the Roman and early-medieval periods in the Rhine–Meuse delta in the present-day Netherlands. Past-population numbers are reconstructed based on Roman and early-medieval settlement patterns. Corresponding impacts of these demographic fluctuations on potential land use are calculated by integrating the newly developed demographic overviews with archaeological and geoscientific data using a new land-use model termed ‘Past Land-Use Scanner’ (PLUS). The primary aims are to reconstruct first-millennium palaeodemographics and to explore the potential of simulation modelling for testing the feasibility of archaeological hypotheses regarding past land use. Results show that in the study area the first millennium AD was characterised by two periods during which major population growth occurred: the middle-Roman period (AD 70–270) and early-medieval period C (AD 725–950). A major demographic decline of 78–85% occurred during the late-Roman period (AD 270–450), after which first-millennium population numbers never again reached middle-Roman period levels. The modelling outcomes demonstrate that the impact of population fluctuations (growth vs decline) on the limits of the natural landscape during the first millennium in general was low. During these thousand years, the natural landscape almost without exception (only scenario D deviates) provided sufficient options for arable farming, meadows and pastures and was not a limiting factor for population growth. These results underline the added value of simulation modelling for testing the feasibility of archaeological hypotheses and analysing human–landscape interactions in the past.