Examining Late Antique trade through geospatial and network analysis : a case study using marble chancel screen panels
In this thesis, geospatial, network, and statistical analysis techniques are applied to a dataset of marble chancel screen panels in order to investigate the relationship between transaction costsâ specifically, shipping cost and transit time from the quarryâand the distribution of marble objects across the Mediterranean world during the Late Antique Period (roughly, the 4th-6th c. A.D.). The aims of this thesis are (a) to better understand the roles of private enterprise and the state in the production and export of marble in Late Antiquity; and (b) to test the utility of geospatial modeling programs such as ORBIS: The Stanford Geospatial Network Model of the Ancient World as tools for analyzing patterns of economic interaction and connectivity. First the quantitative data generated using geospatial and network analysis tools can be used to analyze the relationship between market considerations and transaction costs and the demand for a particular economic commodityâhere, worked marble objects. The results of this case study, although preliminary, suggest that the distribution of some types of marble architectural elements was correlated with transport cost and time from the quarry, with the majority
Dugdale, Nicholas Wilkerson
Examining Late Antique trade through geospatial and network analysis : a case study using marble chancel screen panels. In this thesis, geospatial, network, and statistical analysis techniques are applied to a dataset of marble chancel screen panels in order to investigate the relationship between transaction costsâ specifically, shipping cost and transit time from the quarryâand the distribution of marble objects across the Mediterranean world during the Late Antique Period (roughly, the 4th-6th c. A.D.). The aims of this thesis are (a) to better understand the roles of private enterprise and the state in the production and export of marble in Late Antiquity; and (b) to test the utility of geospatial modeling programs such as ORBIS: The Stanford Geospatial Network Model of the Ancient World as tools for analyzing patterns of economic interaction and connectivity. First the quantitative data generated using geospatial and network analysis tools can be used to analyze the relationship between market considerations and transaction costs and the demand for a particular economic commodityâhere, worked marble objects. The results of this case study, although preliminary, suggest that the distribution of some types of marble architectural elements was correlated with transport cost and time from the quarry, with the majority
examining late_antique trade network analysis case_study use marble screen network statistical_analysis technique_apply dataset marble screen order_investigate relationship transaction cost specifically ship cost transit time quarry distribution marble object across mediterranean_world late_antique period roughly aim good role private enterprise state production export marble late_antiquity test utility program network model ancient_world tool analyze pattern economic interaction connectivity first quantitative_data generate use network analysis tool_use analyze relationship market consideration transaction cost demand particular economic commodity work marble object case_study although preliminary suggest distribution type marble architectural element correlate transport cost time quarry majority