Ancient roads could remain in use for centuries and had far more influence on the landscape than has often been assumed. This emerges from research by archaeologist Stefan Kooi on South Euboea, Greece.
'Archaeologists long viewed antiquity primarily as a world of regional fragmentation,' says Kooi. 'In recent decades, however, the focus has shifted towards connectivity. At the same time, there has been growing criticism of the broad and often metaphorical use of the term "networks." That is why I opted for a more concrete approach: not abstract connections, but actual documented land routes are at the centre of my research.'
For his study, the VU Amsterdam researcher examined the region of South Euboea in Greece, covering the period from the Late Neolithic to the Early Roman era, approximately the fifth to the first millennium BCE. He mapped ancient land routes and landscapes and investigated how human movement across the landscape related to the ways people organised, experienced, and used space.
Land Routes as a Key to Understanding the Landscape
According to Kooi, land routes offer an important new perspective on antiquity. 'Land routes provide an essential perspective for understanding developments in ancient landscapes. Roads not only help explain changes in settlement systems and land use, but also offer insight into ideational landscapes such as sacred sites and boundary zones between different territories.'
One of the most striking findings of the research is the long lifespan of roads. Once established, routes could remain in use for centuries, even as political, economic, or social circumstances changed. Roads were therefore not only the product of the landscape and historical choices, but also actively influenced the development of human societies.
'Precisely this interaction makes ancient land routes so valuable,' says Kooi. 'They connect short-, medium-, and long-term developments and reveal how human activity and the landscape have mutually shaped each other over extended periods.'
Significance for Research on Antiquity
The findings are relevant for broader archaeological research on the ancient Mediterranean. 'By paying greater attention to local and regional land transport, we can better understand how economic, political, and socio-cultural developments in the Mediterranean came about.'
Kooi hopes that similar research will also be conducted in other micro-regions. 'This would allow for better comparisons between regions and ultimately lead to a more complete understanding of the importance of land-based communication in the development of the ancient Mediterranean.'