GIS as a heuristic tool to interpret ancient historiography: A case study to reconstruct what could plausibly have happened according to the accounts in New Testament texts

Abstract

This article examines how GIS can be used as a heuristic tool to reconstruct spatial–temporal events from narratives in order to examine whether a scenario is conceivable within the narrative world. The narrative about Paul's escape from Berea (Acts 17:14–15) is used as a case study. Several interpretive issues related to spatial and temporal questions surround these texts. In the case study, three methods are applied: (a) least‐cost path analysis on elevation data to construct journeys and travel times for Roman roads; (b) network analysis to find seafaring routes valid for ancient times; and (c) the integration of spatial and temporal data in a space‐time cube. Our main finding is that the method yields insights into the spatial–temporal dynamics of the narrative. This helps a modern reader to better understand the narrative conceivability of a story in the mind of a first‐century reader.

GIS‐enabled historiography to determine travel routes during the Western Han period via agent‐based models and least‐cost path analysis

“…In the case of LCPA, the “cost surface” can be obtained by combining multiple criteria, such as slope, elevation, etc. LCPA has proven useful in earlier historical research, as presented by Murrieta‐Flores et al (2017) and van Altena et al (2021), whereby it was used to determine the possible routes between locations using topographic data (as represented by a digital elevation model). Since there is no detailed record of road networks for the study area (Donghai commandary) from this period of Western Han history, an LCPA analysis was used in our study to determine possible overland routes of direct travel between cities when elevation is considered.…”

“…Dai Prà and Gabellieri (2021) used a series of writings of travelers comprising the Trentino‐Alto Adige (XVI–XIX c.) to identify areas of interest, details of traveler's journeys, as well as aggregation clusters in this region, which was an important gateway for travelers seeking to visit Italy. Recently, van Altena et al (2021) utilized GIS‐based LCPA and space–time cubes to reconstruct the probable path taken by Paul, a follower of Jesus (van Altena et al, 2021). Since biblical texts do not provide specific details of the exact paths taken by Paul, GIS‐based topographic analysis (i.e., LCPA) was used to identify possible routes between the locations where, according to the texts, Paul traveled to speak to individual communities.…”