Exploring the Complexity of Roman Agrarian Landscapes. State of the Art and a Study Case from the Southwestern Iberian Peninsula
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Victorino M. Herrera
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to contextualise recent efforts to characterise Roman rural life in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, more specifically in the present-day region of Extremadura (Spain). Firstly, we offer a critical review of how this subject has been addressed in the research agenda of the last 30 years, highlighting the main contributions and theoretical and methodological approaches. From this point, we attempt to offer new directions and launch new challenges through a specific study case, the hinterland of the Roman town of Contributa Iulia (Medina de las Torres, Badajoz). We can offer this experience as a reference for assessing the potential of an intensive surface survey strategy as the primary source for studying of the way in which the agrarian landscapes of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula were formed. We describe a multi-stage working process for the high-resolution exploration of a large area. Spatial analysis of these data allows the detection of both areas of concentrated activity and more general patterns of land exploitation from Prehistory to the most recent past. On the one hand, we evaluate how this study case can provide us greater in-depth knowledge of the interpretative limits and methodological refinement of the surface survey; and on the other, we analyse the transformations undergone by this type of landscape to enhance our understanding of its present day configuration and identity.
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to contextualise recent efforts to characterise Roman rural life in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, more specifically in the present-day region of Extremadura (Spain). Firstly, we offer a critical review of how this subject has been addressed in the research agenda of the last 30 years, highlighting the main contributions and theoretical and methodological approaches. From this point, we attempt to offer new directions and launch new challenges through a specific study case, the hinterland of the Roman town of Contributa Iulia (Medina de las Torres, Badajoz). We can offer this experience as a reference for assessing the potential of an intensive surface survey strategy as the primary source for studying of the way in which the agrarian landscapes of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula were formed. We describe a multi-stage working process for the high-resolution exploration of a large area. Spatial analysis of these data allows the detection of both areas of concentrated activity and more general patterns of land exploitation from Prehistory to the most recent past. On the one hand, we evaluate how this study case can provide us greater in-depth knowledge of the interpretative limits and methodological refinement of the surface survey; and on the other, we analyse the transformations undergone by this type of landscape to enhance our understanding of its present day configuration and identity.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Acknowledgments V
- Contents VII
- Introduction 1
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Part I: From Traditional to New Approaches: Methodological Insights
- Early Imperial Roman Peasant Communities in Central Spain: Agrarian Structure, Standards of Living, and Inequality in the North of Roman Carpetania 23
- Perceiving the Countryside: Some Thoughts on the Representation of Agrarian Cycles and Tasks in the Mosaics of Roman Spain 49
- Investigating Livestock Practices in the Countryside of Roman Spain: An Archaeozoological Approach 71
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Part II: Beyond Villascapes: Peasants in Landscapes
- A Peasant Landscape in the Eastern Roman Spain. An Archaeological Approach to Territorial Organization and Economic Models 91
- Exploring the Complexity of Roman Agrarian Landscapes. State of the Art and a Study Case from the Southwestern Iberian Peninsula 111
- Roman Peasantry, Spatial Archaeology, and Off-site Survey in Hispania 143
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Part III: Comparing Villae and Peasants Habitats in Settlement Systems
- On the Margins of the Villa System? Rural Architecture and Socioeconomic Strategies in North-Eastern Roman Spain 169
- Villae and Farms: Early Imperial Rural Settlement in the Adaja-Eresma Basin (Central Roman Spain) 201
- With the measure you use you will be measured back… Late Roman and Early Medieval Peasants in Central Spain on Examination 229
- From Villa to Village? Relational Approaches within Roman and Medieval Iberian Rural Societies 253
- Conclusions 277
- List of Contributors 285
- List of Figures 291
- Index 295
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Acknowledgments V
- Contents VII
- Introduction 1
-
Part I: From Traditional to New Approaches: Methodological Insights
- Early Imperial Roman Peasant Communities in Central Spain: Agrarian Structure, Standards of Living, and Inequality in the North of Roman Carpetania 23
- Perceiving the Countryside: Some Thoughts on the Representation of Agrarian Cycles and Tasks in the Mosaics of Roman Spain 49
- Investigating Livestock Practices in the Countryside of Roman Spain: An Archaeozoological Approach 71
-
Part II: Beyond Villascapes: Peasants in Landscapes
- A Peasant Landscape in the Eastern Roman Spain. An Archaeological Approach to Territorial Organization and Economic Models 91
- Exploring the Complexity of Roman Agrarian Landscapes. State of the Art and a Study Case from the Southwestern Iberian Peninsula 111
- Roman Peasantry, Spatial Archaeology, and Off-site Survey in Hispania 143
-
Part III: Comparing Villae and Peasants Habitats in Settlement Systems
- On the Margins of the Villa System? Rural Architecture and Socioeconomic Strategies in North-Eastern Roman Spain 169
- Villae and Farms: Early Imperial Rural Settlement in the Adaja-Eresma Basin (Central Roman Spain) 201
- With the measure you use you will be measured back… Late Roman and Early Medieval Peasants in Central Spain on Examination 229
- From Villa to Village? Relational Approaches within Roman and Medieval Iberian Rural Societies 253
- Conclusions 277
- List of Contributors 285
- List of Figures 291
- Index 295
