Books by José M . Costa-García
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Journal Papers by José M . Costa-García
Cuadernos de Estudios Gallegos 67 (133), pp. 45-74, 2020
A PENAPARDA (A FONSAGRADA, LUGO - SANTALLA, ASTURIAS): ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY OF A ROMAN CAMP IN TH... more A PENAPARDA (A FONSAGRADA, LUGO - SANTALLA, ASTURIAS): ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY OF A ROMAN CAMP IN THE WESTERNMOST
AREA OF THE CANTABRIAN MOUNTAINS
This paper presents the results of the archaeological campaign carried out in 2017 at the archaeological site of A Penaparda, a playing-card shaped Roman camp (ca. 10 ha) located on the border between A Fonsagrada (Lugo) and Santalla (Asturias). Following a previous archaeological survey of the Ouroso-Penouta Mountains where remote sensing techniques were used, this campaign comprised the integral survey of the archaeological structures –both on the surface and using remote sensing tools–, the artefact and metal surveying of some sections of the site, and the excavation of an exploratory trench to better characterise and date the sites’ defences. These tasks, financed by the Concello da Fonsagrada, allowed us to validate our initial hypotheses about the site and to relate this enclosure with other camps located in Eastern Galicia and western Asturias.Key words: Roman army, camp, NW Iberia, Cantabrian Mountains, archaeological survey, remote sensing.
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Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, 2019
Traditionally, the study of the Roman military presence in Galicia (Spain) and Northern Portugal ... more Traditionally, the study of the Roman military presence in Galicia (Spain) and Northern Portugal has been based on the fragmentary documentation offered by Greek and Latin authors or epigraphy, with archaeology occupying a very secondary place in these historical narratives. In particular, the information is very scarce for the period between the 2 nd century BCE and 1 st century CE, when these territories were conquered and integrated into the Roman world. This work presents new Roman military sites discovered through an integrated methodology involving an intensive application of remote sensing techniques in order to provide information to foster a paradigm shift in this field of study. Distributed over a wide geographical area and displaying a wide morpho-typological and locational diversity, this new archaeological evidence not only reflects the ability of the Roman army to adapt to local natural and cultural environments, but also reveals a major operational and logistical assortment that may relate to the diachronic nature of the military presence in the region.
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Boletín de la Institución Fernán González, 2019
Dominando la campiña segisamonense se encuentra el imponente Cerro de Castarreño (Olmillos de Sas... more Dominando la campiña segisamonense se encuentra el imponente Cerro de Castarreño (Olmillos de Sasamón). Aquí han podido identificarse en las últimas décadas evidencias arqueológi-cas que nos indican la existencia de un importante poblado fortifi-cado de la Edad del Hierro. Es por ello que este oppidum turmogo ha sido identificado por algunos autores como la Segisama mencio-nada en las fuentes clásicas. Sin embargo, en el pasado se han bara-jado otras posibilidades para la ubicación de este núcleo de especial significancia histórica, destacando la hipótesis que lo situaba en El Castro en la vecina Castrojeriz. En este trabajo realizamos un repa-so exhaustivo de la información textual, epigráfica y arqueológica de que disponemos en la actualidad para el estudio de este terri-torio, así como de las diferentes interpretaciones historiográficas que se han ofrecido para la reconstrucción del paisaje antiguo en el mismo. Finalmente ofrecemos una breve relación de las distintas iniciativas desarrolladas durante las últimas campañas arqueoló-gicas de investigación llevadas a cabo por nosotros en esta región.
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[GL] O feito de contar cunha terminoloxía propia é un dos elementos que mellor exemplifica a auto... more [GL] O feito de contar cunha terminoloxía propia é un dos elementos que mellor exemplifica a autonomía e solvencia adquiri-das por unha disciplina científica. Ao manterse un discurso formal-mente correcto, sensible e axustado ao obxecto de estudo redúcense os equívocos na transmisión do coñecemento. Nesta liña, a partir do estudo histórico do vocábulo castrametación, neste traballo afondaremos na casuística específica da arqueoloxía, na que este proceso dista de estar concluído-o que transmite a imaxe dunha disciplina en construción-, e como a cuestión relació-nase coa escaseza de traballos científicos estritos en galego. Este fenómeno evidencia a necesidade dun debate interno na cons-trución dese corpus terminolóxico propio, pero tamén dunha ac-tiva colaboración interdisciplinar coa lingüística para que no dito proceso non se cometan excesos ou erros de vulto. Palabras chave: Terminoloxía, lexicografía, arqueoloxía, campa-mentos romanos, idade moderna. ---------- [EN] Some reflections on the terminology used in archeology: around the term castrametación and its use in the Galician language. Abstract: The development of a terminology is one of the elements which exemplifies the independence and rigour of a given scientific discipline. The maintenance of a formal, sensitive and definable
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Anales de Arqueología Cordobesa, 2018
[ES]: En las últimas dos décadas, la Arqueología militar romana ha experimentado un notable avanc... more [ES]: En las últimas dos décadas, la Arqueología militar romana ha experimentado un notable avance en la península ibérica. El uso sistemático de nuevas técnicas de teledetección constituye el último estadio de un proceso de renovación metodológica que ha permitido documentar un numeroso conjunto de yacimientos arqueológicos inéditos, o bien relacionar otros ya conocidos con el ejército romano. A su vez, esta información inédita ha subrayado la necesidad de desarrollar nuevas narrativas arqueológicas sobre los procesos de conquista y ocupación del Noroeste peninsular en tiempos antiguos. Este trabajo analiza tres nuevos yacimientos de reciente descubrimiento que pueden ayudarnos a entender estos procesos en El Bierzo, una comarca estratégica en las comunicaciones entre el Noroeste ibérico y la cuenca del Duero.
[EN]: Roman military archaeology has experienced a remarkable advance in the Iberian Peninsula during the last decades. The systematic use of remote sensing techniques is the latest stage in a process of methodological renovation that has helped to identify a significant number of new archaeological sites, or to link other already known sites with the Roman army. In addition, these new data have highlighted the need to develop renovated archaeological narratives on the conquest and occupation processes of NW Iberia in the Antiquity. In this paper, we analyse three recently discovered sites, which will help us to understand these phenomena in El Bierzo, a strategic region connecting NW Iberia and the Duero valley.
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Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, 17-3: 163-189. 2017, 2017
The aim of this paper is to dig deeper in order to gain a better understanding of the territorial... more The aim of this paper is to dig deeper in order to gain a better understanding of the territorial logic of Roman roads, following some recent approaches based on the use of digital modelling tools. Taking the case of the so-called via XVII (a ca. 330 km itinerary which joined Bracara Augusta and Asturica Augusta, NW Iberian Peninsula), the paper explores various factors, both natural and cultural, which may have been determinant in the layout of main roads in the Roman period. This study has followed a non-reconstructive methodology based on the theoretical idea of "least-cost paths" implemented by way of GIS tools. The analysis combines different variables which have an impact on human mobility (such as terrain slope and altitude, and the a priori existence of some primary nodes) and different spatial scales of analysis. As an outcome, we have achieved a detailed understanding of the factors behind the layout of this road and, in doing so, we have also drawn some conclusions regarding the historical context of its origin and development. The methodology and some of the results may be pertinent for the analysis of Roman roads elsewhere and, to some extent, for the wider analysis of ancient roads.
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Gallaecia: revista de arqueoloxía e antigüidade, 2016
En los últimos años hemos asistido a un incremento exponencial del número de evidencias arqueológ... more En los últimos años hemos asistido a un incremento exponencial del número de evidencias arqueológicas relacionadas con la presencia del ejército romano en el noroeste peninsular. En este trabajo analizamos un conjunto de recintos identificados en el oriente gallego mediante el empleo de una metodología específica que aúna técnicas de teledetección y métodos de prospección arqueológica convencional. Estos yacimientos podrían identificarse como asentamientos militares romanos, de acuerdo con sus particulares características morfo-tipológicas. En las siguientes líneas se describen las estructuras arqueológicas documentadas, se analiza su patrón de asentamiento y se estudian sus relaciones con el territorio circundante con la ayuda de diversas tecnologías de información geográfica.
The archaeological evidence related to the presence of the Roman army in NW Iberia has exponentially increased in recent years. In this paper, we analysed a number of sites identified in the Galician easternmost territories by using a specific methodology which combines remote sensing techniques and conventional archaeological survey methods. These enclosures could be identified as Roman military sites, according to their particular morpho-typological characteristics. The goal of this work is to describe the documented archaeological structures, but also to analyse the settlement pattern of these sites, and to study their relations with the surrounding territory, thanks to the help of various geographic information technologies.
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Resumo: Pretendemos com este trabalho dar a conhecer um possível assentamento militar romano loca... more Resumo: Pretendemos com este trabalho dar a conhecer um possível assentamento militar romano localizado na vertente Oriental da serra da Padrela: o Alto da Cerca (Valpaços, Portugal). O uso de uma metodologia não-invasiva permitiu-nos caracterizar arqueologicamente este sítio e diferenciá-lo em relação à rede de povoamento local. Tendo em consideração que o exército romano estaria directamente envolvido em tarefas de controlo e proteção das zonas mineiras, mas também com questões logísticas e técnico-administrativas de planificação, administração e organização territorial, procuramos contextualizar este assentamento em relação ao distrito mineiro romano de Tresminas.
Abstract: Alto da Cerca (Valpaços, Portugal): a Roman military settlement in the Padrela Mountain and its relation to the mining district of Tresminas In this work, we study a possible Roman military settlement located on the eastern slope of the Padrela Mountain, named Alto da Cerca (Valpaços, Portugal). The use of a non-invasive methodology allowed us to characterise the site archaeologically and to differentiate it in relation to the local settlement network. Considering that the Roman army was directly involved in control tasks and protection of mining areas, but also in logistical issues and technical and administrative planning, as well as administration and territorial organization, we seek to contextualize the settlement in relation to the Roman mining district of Tresminas.
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Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2016
During the Portuguese War of Restoration (1640–1668), a series of fortifications were built along... more During the Portuguese War of Restoration (1640–1668), a series of fortifications were built along the Spanish-Portuguese border. The archaeological study of these sites combines different disciplines (landscape archaeology, archaeology of architecture, geospatial technologies, and documentary studies), with the aim of recovering the record of an ancient fortified landscape. This project revealed the construction of a number of small fortifications around the fortress of San Luís Gonzaga (Valença, Portugal), most of which disappeared after the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668. In the area of Campos (Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal), we were able to document what was probably a Modern Age fortification by analysing historic aerial photography, despite the recent construction of an industrial estate. It was also located inside a larger, square structure, which we identified as a possible Roman camp. In this paper, we discuss both fortifications, the methodological process that was developed in order to identify and study them, their possible interpretation, and how they interact with each other.
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The following text details a research experience in Archaeology from the margins of the Academy, ... more The following text details a research experience in Archaeology from the margins of the Academy, where it is also possible to articulate a scientific, self-managed project on the basis of a rigorous work although lacking external funding. Our intention is to disclose the Romanarmy.eu project in the context of the EAA, after our participation at the 22nd Annual Meeting which took place in Vilnius in September 2016.
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Resumen
La Chana es un yacimiento arqueológico que, pese a haber suscitado el interés de numeroso... more Resumen
La Chana es un yacimiento arqueológico que, pese a haber suscitado el interés de numerosos investigadores, nunca ha sido objeto de un estudio monográfico.
Nuestro objetivo en el presente trabajo es realizar una revisión del mismo desde la arqueología. Se ha aplicado una metodología low cost que aúna medios como la
fotografía aérea histórica, la fotografía por satélite moderna, el LiDAR aéreo o el software SIG para ahondar en los aspectos morfológicos y funcionales de sus estructuras.
Asimismo se ha reabierto el debate historiográfico sobre el yacimiento en busca de una mejor contextualización del conjunto arqueológico dentro del despliegue
militar romano en la Asturia Cismontana durante los primeros tiempos del Imperio.
Abstract
Although La Chana has attracted the attention of several researchers in the past, the site has never been the subject of a monographic study. The main aim of this
paper is to offer an up-to-date archaeological review of it. A low cost methodology combining historical aerial photography, modern satellite photography, aerial
LiDAR and GIS software has been applied in order to deepen the morphological and functional aspects of its structures. Furthermore, the historiographical debate has
been reopened for a better contextualization of this archaeological complex within the Roman military deployment in the Asturia Cismontana during the early Empire.
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Resumen: Este artículo presenta el yacimiento inédito de A Serra da Casiña (Valboa, León). Este r... more Resumen: Este artículo presenta el yacimiento inédito de A Serra da Casiña (Valboa, León). Este recinto se localiza en las montañas que separan las actuales provincias de Lugo y León, en las inmediaciones de la ruta natural de comunicación a través del puerto de Pedrafita do Cebreiro. Se describen las estructuras observadas en la serie histórica de ortofotografías, en los datos LiDAR disponibles para el área, además de la inspección del enclave sobre el terreno. Las características formales del sitio y su localización responden a los parámetros propios de los campamentos de marcha (castra aestiua) del ejército romano. Finalmente, se realiza una breve contextualización del establecimiento militar considerando los yacimientos análogos conocidos en su entorno.
Palabras clave: Arqueología militar romana, Ejército romano, Guerras Astur-Cántabras, prospección arqueológica, LiDAR, fotografía aérea histórica.
Abstract: This paper presents the unknown archaeological site of A Serra da Casiña (Valboa, León). This enclosure is located in the mountainous area between the provinces of Lugo and León, close to the natural route across the mountain pass of Pedrafita do Cebreiro. The structures were studied through several historical orthophotos, LiDAR visualizations from raw data available for this region, and the archaeological field surveying of the site. Both the morphological characteristics and the location of A Serra da Casiña fit with the specific parameters of Roman marching camps (castra aestiua). Finally, we discuss the historical contextualization of this military establishment considering the presence in the nearby of analogous sites.
Keywords: Roman military Archaeology, Roman Army, Cantabrian Wars, Archaeological Prospection, LiDAR,
Historic Aerial Photography
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ABSTRACT:
Our aim in this paper is to gauge the potential of tools such as historical aerial phot... more ABSTRACT:
Our aim in this paper is to gauge the potential of tools such as historical aerial photography, aerial survey, modern satellite photography, aerial LiDAR & GIS software for the study of Roman military temporary settlements. Five sites located within the boundaries of the autonomous community of Castile & León (Spain) have been selected as an illustrative sample: La Chana, Valdemeda, Villalazán, El Burgo de Osma & Huerga de Frailes.
RESUMO:
Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o potencial de ferramentas tais como a fotografia histórica aérea, a prospecção aérea, as modernas fotografias por satélite, o LiDAR aéreo ou software GIS para o estudo de assentamentos militares romanos temporais. Cinco sítios localizados dentro dos limites da comunidade autónoma de Castela e Leão (Espanha) foram selecionados como amostra ilustrativa: La Chana, Valdemeda, Villalazán, El Burgo de Osma e Huerga de Frailes.
(2015) Portugàlia, Nova Série, Volume XXXVI. Pp. 143-158.
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Ramil Rego, E. (Ed.) (2015) 3 Congreso Internacional De Arqueoloxía De Vilalba. Vilalba, Museo de Prehistoria e Arqueoloxía de Vilalba. Férvedes 8. ISSN - 1134-6787. Pp. 35-44
En los últimos años se han desarrollado metodologías específicas low cost mediante el empleo de l... more En los últimos años se han desarrollado metodologías específicas low cost mediante el empleo de la fotografía aérea histórica, la fotografía satelital, el LiDAR aéreo y los sistemas de información geográfica (SIG). Estas herramientas no sólo ofrecen una aproximación cualitativamente diferencial a la realidad arqueológica sino que además permiten el estudio de los yacimientos en una dimensión diacrónica. Nuestro objetivo es analizar el potencial y limitaciones de todas estas técnicas en el estudio concreto de varios recintos militares romanos de época altoimperial, un tipo de asentamientos habitualmente marcados por el carácter perecedero de sus estructuras y la escasez de materiales a ellas asociados.
In recent years, we have witnessed the development of new low-cost archaeological methodologies by using historical aerial photography, satellite photography, aerial LiDAR and geographical information systems (GIS).These tools not only provide a new and qualitatively differential approach to archaeology but also allow the study of the sites from a diachronic perspective. Our goal in this paper is to analyze the potential and limitations of these tools in the specific study of the Roman military enclosures from early Roman times, a type of archeological settlement characterized by the perishable nature of its structures and the shortage of material findings associated to them.
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[ES] Se presentan los resultados del estudio llevado a cabo en el yacimiento de A Cidadela (Sobra... more [ES] Se presentan los resultados del estudio llevado a cabo en el yacimiento de A Cidadela (Sobrado dos Monxes, A Coruña) en el marco del proyecto Marie Curie Early Medieval Churches: History, Archaeology and Heritage (EMCHAHE). Este yacimiento comprende los restos de un recinto militar romano de los siglos II-III d.C. y sucesivas ocupaciones de épocas tardoantigua y altomedieval, todavía poco conocidas. El estudio presentado se basa en un enfoque interdisciplinar que combina por primera vez una revisión de todo el material generado a partir de las distintas excavaciones arqueológicas pre-estratigráficas y estratigráficas llevadas a cabo en el yacimiento, con la lectura estratigráfica de paramentos. En esta revisión se ha hecho especial hincapié en la reocupación del fuerte en época tardoantigua y especialmente en una serie de estructuras identificadas como posible iglesia. Pese a que se trata de resultados preliminares, los datos obtenidos permiten hablar de una fase de reocupación mucho más importante en todo este recinto de lo pensado hasta el momento. En base a estos resultados, se realiza una valoración del papel de este yacimiento en el contexto del conocimiento actual sobre la Tardoantigüedad en Galicia.
[EN] This paper presents the research carried out at the archaeological site of A Cidadela (Sobrado dos Monxes, A Coruña) in the framework of the Marie Curie Early Medieval Churches: History, Archaeology and Heritage (EMCHAHE) project. This site, excavated through several campaigns since 1934 comprises the remains of a Roman Camp of the 2nd-3rd centuries AD as well as a series of further late antique and early medieval reoccupations. The study is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines a review, for the first time, of all the excavations at the site with the stratigraphical analyisis of the standing walls. Special emphasis has been placed on the late antique phases and, mainly, on some structures interpreted as a possible church. Although these are preliminary results, the data already available indicates a more intense reoccupation of the whole site in this period than traditionally considered. Basing on these results, a global assessment of the role of this site in the context of Late Antique Galicia is presented in the final section.
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Books by José M . Costa-García
Journal Papers by José M . Costa-García
AREA OF THE CANTABRIAN MOUNTAINS
This paper presents the results of the archaeological campaign carried out in 2017 at the archaeological site of A Penaparda, a playing-card shaped Roman camp (ca. 10 ha) located on the border between A Fonsagrada (Lugo) and Santalla (Asturias). Following a previous archaeological survey of the Ouroso-Penouta Mountains where remote sensing techniques were used, this campaign comprised the integral survey of the archaeological structures –both on the surface and using remote sensing tools–, the artefact and metal surveying of some sections of the site, and the excavation of an exploratory trench to better characterise and date the sites’ defences. These tasks, financed by the Concello da Fonsagrada, allowed us to validate our initial hypotheses about the site and to relate this enclosure with other camps located in Eastern Galicia and western Asturias.Key words: Roman army, camp, NW Iberia, Cantabrian Mountains, archaeological survey, remote sensing.
[EN]: Roman military archaeology has experienced a remarkable advance in the Iberian Peninsula during the last decades. The systematic use of remote sensing techniques is the latest stage in a process of methodological renovation that has helped to identify a significant number of new archaeological sites, or to link other already known sites with the Roman army. In addition, these new data have highlighted the need to develop renovated archaeological narratives on the conquest and occupation processes of NW Iberia in the Antiquity. In this paper, we analyse three recently discovered sites, which will help us to understand these phenomena in El Bierzo, a strategic region connecting NW Iberia and the Duero valley.
The archaeological evidence related to the presence of the Roman army in NW Iberia has exponentially increased in recent years. In this paper, we analysed a number of sites identified in the Galician easternmost territories by using a specific methodology which combines remote sensing techniques and conventional archaeological survey methods. These enclosures could be identified as Roman military sites, according to their particular morpho-typological characteristics. The goal of this work is to describe the documented archaeological structures, but also to analyse the settlement pattern of these sites, and to study their relations with the surrounding territory, thanks to the help of various geographic information technologies.
Abstract: Alto da Cerca (Valpaços, Portugal): a Roman military settlement in the Padrela Mountain and its relation to the mining district of Tresminas In this work, we study a possible Roman military settlement located on the eastern slope of the Padrela Mountain, named Alto da Cerca (Valpaços, Portugal). The use of a non-invasive methodology allowed us to characterise the site archaeologically and to differentiate it in relation to the local settlement network. Considering that the Roman army was directly involved in control tasks and protection of mining areas, but also in logistical issues and technical and administrative planning, as well as administration and territorial organization, we seek to contextualize the settlement in relation to the Roman mining district of Tresminas.
La Chana es un yacimiento arqueológico que, pese a haber suscitado el interés de numerosos investigadores, nunca ha sido objeto de un estudio monográfico.
Nuestro objetivo en el presente trabajo es realizar una revisión del mismo desde la arqueología. Se ha aplicado una metodología low cost que aúna medios como la
fotografía aérea histórica, la fotografía por satélite moderna, el LiDAR aéreo o el software SIG para ahondar en los aspectos morfológicos y funcionales de sus estructuras.
Asimismo se ha reabierto el debate historiográfico sobre el yacimiento en busca de una mejor contextualización del conjunto arqueológico dentro del despliegue
militar romano en la Asturia Cismontana durante los primeros tiempos del Imperio.
Abstract
Although La Chana has attracted the attention of several researchers in the past, the site has never been the subject of a monographic study. The main aim of this
paper is to offer an up-to-date archaeological review of it. A low cost methodology combining historical aerial photography, modern satellite photography, aerial
LiDAR and GIS software has been applied in order to deepen the morphological and functional aspects of its structures. Furthermore, the historiographical debate has
been reopened for a better contextualization of this archaeological complex within the Roman military deployment in the Asturia Cismontana during the early Empire.
Palabras clave: Arqueología militar romana, Ejército romano, Guerras Astur-Cántabras, prospección arqueológica, LiDAR, fotografía aérea histórica.
Abstract: This paper presents the unknown archaeological site of A Serra da Casiña (Valboa, León). This enclosure is located in the mountainous area between the provinces of Lugo and León, close to the natural route across the mountain pass of Pedrafita do Cebreiro. The structures were studied through several historical orthophotos, LiDAR visualizations from raw data available for this region, and the archaeological field surveying of the site. Both the morphological characteristics and the location of A Serra da Casiña fit with the specific parameters of Roman marching camps (castra aestiua). Finally, we discuss the historical contextualization of this military establishment considering the presence in the nearby of analogous sites.
Keywords: Roman military Archaeology, Roman Army, Cantabrian Wars, Archaeological Prospection, LiDAR,
Historic Aerial Photography
Our aim in this paper is to gauge the potential of tools such as historical aerial photography, aerial survey, modern satellite photography, aerial LiDAR & GIS software for the study of Roman military temporary settlements. Five sites located within the boundaries of the autonomous community of Castile & León (Spain) have been selected as an illustrative sample: La Chana, Valdemeda, Villalazán, El Burgo de Osma & Huerga de Frailes.
RESUMO:
Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o potencial de ferramentas tais como a fotografia histórica aérea, a prospecção aérea, as modernas fotografias por satélite, o LiDAR aéreo ou software GIS para o estudo de assentamentos militares romanos temporais. Cinco sítios localizados dentro dos limites da comunidade autónoma de Castela e Leão (Espanha) foram selecionados como amostra ilustrativa: La Chana, Valdemeda, Villalazán, El Burgo de Osma e Huerga de Frailes.
(2015) Portugàlia, Nova Série, Volume XXXVI. Pp. 143-158.
In recent years, we have witnessed the development of new low-cost archaeological methodologies by using historical aerial photography, satellite photography, aerial LiDAR and geographical information systems (GIS).These tools not only provide a new and qualitatively differential approach to archaeology but also allow the study of the sites from a diachronic perspective. Our goal in this paper is to analyze the potential and limitations of these tools in the specific study of the Roman military enclosures from early Roman times, a type of archeological settlement characterized by the perishable nature of its structures and the shortage of material findings associated to them.
[EN] This paper presents the research carried out at the archaeological site of A Cidadela (Sobrado dos Monxes, A Coruña) in the framework of the Marie Curie Early Medieval Churches: History, Archaeology and Heritage (EMCHAHE) project. This site, excavated through several campaigns since 1934 comprises the remains of a Roman Camp of the 2nd-3rd centuries AD as well as a series of further late antique and early medieval reoccupations. The study is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines a review, for the first time, of all the excavations at the site with the stratigraphical analyisis of the standing walls. Special emphasis has been placed on the late antique phases and, mainly, on some structures interpreted as a possible church. Although these are preliminary results, the data already available indicates a more intense reoccupation of the whole site in this period than traditionally considered. Basing on these results, a global assessment of the role of this site in the context of Late Antique Galicia is presented in the final section.
AREA OF THE CANTABRIAN MOUNTAINS
This paper presents the results of the archaeological campaign carried out in 2017 at the archaeological site of A Penaparda, a playing-card shaped Roman camp (ca. 10 ha) located on the border between A Fonsagrada (Lugo) and Santalla (Asturias). Following a previous archaeological survey of the Ouroso-Penouta Mountains where remote sensing techniques were used, this campaign comprised the integral survey of the archaeological structures –both on the surface and using remote sensing tools–, the artefact and metal surveying of some sections of the site, and the excavation of an exploratory trench to better characterise and date the sites’ defences. These tasks, financed by the Concello da Fonsagrada, allowed us to validate our initial hypotheses about the site and to relate this enclosure with other camps located in Eastern Galicia and western Asturias.Key words: Roman army, camp, NW Iberia, Cantabrian Mountains, archaeological survey, remote sensing.
[EN]: Roman military archaeology has experienced a remarkable advance in the Iberian Peninsula during the last decades. The systematic use of remote sensing techniques is the latest stage in a process of methodological renovation that has helped to identify a significant number of new archaeological sites, or to link other already known sites with the Roman army. In addition, these new data have highlighted the need to develop renovated archaeological narratives on the conquest and occupation processes of NW Iberia in the Antiquity. In this paper, we analyse three recently discovered sites, which will help us to understand these phenomena in El Bierzo, a strategic region connecting NW Iberia and the Duero valley.
The archaeological evidence related to the presence of the Roman army in NW Iberia has exponentially increased in recent years. In this paper, we analysed a number of sites identified in the Galician easternmost territories by using a specific methodology which combines remote sensing techniques and conventional archaeological survey methods. These enclosures could be identified as Roman military sites, according to their particular morpho-typological characteristics. The goal of this work is to describe the documented archaeological structures, but also to analyse the settlement pattern of these sites, and to study their relations with the surrounding territory, thanks to the help of various geographic information technologies.
Abstract: Alto da Cerca (Valpaços, Portugal): a Roman military settlement in the Padrela Mountain and its relation to the mining district of Tresminas In this work, we study a possible Roman military settlement located on the eastern slope of the Padrela Mountain, named Alto da Cerca (Valpaços, Portugal). The use of a non-invasive methodology allowed us to characterise the site archaeologically and to differentiate it in relation to the local settlement network. Considering that the Roman army was directly involved in control tasks and protection of mining areas, but also in logistical issues and technical and administrative planning, as well as administration and territorial organization, we seek to contextualize the settlement in relation to the Roman mining district of Tresminas.
La Chana es un yacimiento arqueológico que, pese a haber suscitado el interés de numerosos investigadores, nunca ha sido objeto de un estudio monográfico.
Nuestro objetivo en el presente trabajo es realizar una revisión del mismo desde la arqueología. Se ha aplicado una metodología low cost que aúna medios como la
fotografía aérea histórica, la fotografía por satélite moderna, el LiDAR aéreo o el software SIG para ahondar en los aspectos morfológicos y funcionales de sus estructuras.
Asimismo se ha reabierto el debate historiográfico sobre el yacimiento en busca de una mejor contextualización del conjunto arqueológico dentro del despliegue
militar romano en la Asturia Cismontana durante los primeros tiempos del Imperio.
Abstract
Although La Chana has attracted the attention of several researchers in the past, the site has never been the subject of a monographic study. The main aim of this
paper is to offer an up-to-date archaeological review of it. A low cost methodology combining historical aerial photography, modern satellite photography, aerial
LiDAR and GIS software has been applied in order to deepen the morphological and functional aspects of its structures. Furthermore, the historiographical debate has
been reopened for a better contextualization of this archaeological complex within the Roman military deployment in the Asturia Cismontana during the early Empire.
Palabras clave: Arqueología militar romana, Ejército romano, Guerras Astur-Cántabras, prospección arqueológica, LiDAR, fotografía aérea histórica.
Abstract: This paper presents the unknown archaeological site of A Serra da Casiña (Valboa, León). This enclosure is located in the mountainous area between the provinces of Lugo and León, close to the natural route across the mountain pass of Pedrafita do Cebreiro. The structures were studied through several historical orthophotos, LiDAR visualizations from raw data available for this region, and the archaeological field surveying of the site. Both the morphological characteristics and the location of A Serra da Casiña fit with the specific parameters of Roman marching camps (castra aestiua). Finally, we discuss the historical contextualization of this military establishment considering the presence in the nearby of analogous sites.
Keywords: Roman military Archaeology, Roman Army, Cantabrian Wars, Archaeological Prospection, LiDAR,
Historic Aerial Photography
Our aim in this paper is to gauge the potential of tools such as historical aerial photography, aerial survey, modern satellite photography, aerial LiDAR & GIS software for the study of Roman military temporary settlements. Five sites located within the boundaries of the autonomous community of Castile & León (Spain) have been selected as an illustrative sample: La Chana, Valdemeda, Villalazán, El Burgo de Osma & Huerga de Frailes.
RESUMO:
Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o potencial de ferramentas tais como a fotografia histórica aérea, a prospecção aérea, as modernas fotografias por satélite, o LiDAR aéreo ou software GIS para o estudo de assentamentos militares romanos temporais. Cinco sítios localizados dentro dos limites da comunidade autónoma de Castela e Leão (Espanha) foram selecionados como amostra ilustrativa: La Chana, Valdemeda, Villalazán, El Burgo de Osma e Huerga de Frailes.
(2015) Portugàlia, Nova Série, Volume XXXVI. Pp. 143-158.
In recent years, we have witnessed the development of new low-cost archaeological methodologies by using historical aerial photography, satellite photography, aerial LiDAR and geographical information systems (GIS).These tools not only provide a new and qualitatively differential approach to archaeology but also allow the study of the sites from a diachronic perspective. Our goal in this paper is to analyze the potential and limitations of these tools in the specific study of the Roman military enclosures from early Roman times, a type of archeological settlement characterized by the perishable nature of its structures and the shortage of material findings associated to them.
[EN] This paper presents the research carried out at the archaeological site of A Cidadela (Sobrado dos Monxes, A Coruña) in the framework of the Marie Curie Early Medieval Churches: History, Archaeology and Heritage (EMCHAHE) project. This site, excavated through several campaigns since 1934 comprises the remains of a Roman Camp of the 2nd-3rd centuries AD as well as a series of further late antique and early medieval reoccupations. The study is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines a review, for the first time, of all the excavations at the site with the stratigraphical analyisis of the standing walls. Special emphasis has been placed on the late antique phases and, mainly, on some structures interpreted as a possible church. Although these are preliminary results, the data already available indicates a more intense reoccupation of the whole site in this period than traditionally considered. Basing on these results, a global assessment of the role of this site in the context of Late Antique Galicia is presented in the final section.
Since its very beginning the Spanish historiography has paid a great attention to the Cantabrian and Asturian Wars. From the end of the XXth century onwards, the development of the Roman military archaeology have brought a remarkable transformation of the studies on this subject. However,
sometimes the modern analysis on this topic are excessively positivist and they do not delve into the socio-political and cultural dimensions of the war. The aim of this brief approach is not to offer a review of the conflict as a whole but to focus on two issues. On one hand, we will try to revalue the contribution of literary sources. If we could make them a more flexible and permeable tool, we could further integrate them into a more versatile methodological framework. On the other hand,
our intention is to unravel the social, cultural, ideological and propagandistic aspects that make this war particular from a Roman perspective.
Resumen:
Las guerras cántabro-ástures son uno de los conflictos que mayor atención ha despertado en la historiografía española desde sus inicios. En los últimos años, los enormes avances producidos en el ámbito de la arqueología militar romana han supuesto una notable transformación de los estudios
sobre la materia. Sin embargo, a menudo los análisis son en exceso positivistas y no profundizan en las dimensiones sociopolítica y cultural de la guerra. El objetivo de esta modesta aproximación no es ofrecer una nueva visión del conflicto en su conjunto, sino intentar, por un lado, revalorizar
la información contenida en las fuentes literarias, haciendo de ellas una herramienta flexible y permeable susceptible de ser integrada en un marco metodológico más versátil; por otro, desentrañar los aspectos socioculturales, ideológicos y propagandísticos que la convierten en una manifestación
singular desde la óptica romana.
hallazgo de dos piezas de bronce del periodo constantiniano
procedentes del lugar de Fornos, en el municipio
pontevedrés de Cambados.
Abstract
The aim of the present paper is to announce the lucky
finding of two constantinian bronze coins coming from
Fornos, municipality of Cambados (Pontevedra).
GARCÍA SÁNCHEZ, J.; GAGO MARIÑO, M.; COSTA-GARCÍA, J. M. & FERNÁNDEZ-GÖTZ, M. (2019): "El modelo Romanarmy.eu: patrimonio, comunicación e investigación en el pasado romano de Sasamón (Burgos)". M. Rolo (Ed.), Arqueología 3.0 II. Comunicaçao, divulgaçao e socialização da arqueologia. Vila Viçosa: Fundação Casa de Bragança: 101-119.
disregarded by the Spanish historiographical discourse due to the scarcity and heterogeneity of the archaeological data available Luckily, in recent times the development of cost effective, specific methodologies based on the combination of remote sensing techniques, GIS software and archaeological field survey has revolutionized the studies on the Roman military presence in northwest Iberia Consequently, the existence of new, detailed archaeological data allows the development of more precise morphological and locational analyses for the study of Roman military sites Thus, we can now delve into the ways in which the theoretical principles of the metatio castrorum were locally adapted This work is just a mere approach to this issue through the review of three main aspects: morphology, defensive system and locational pattern.
[DE] Die zunehmende Anwendung von Low-Cost-Methoden, welche Fernerkundungstechniken, GIS-Software und Prospektion kombinieren, hat die Erforschung der römischen Militärpräsenz im Nordwesten der Iberischen Halbinsel revolutioniert.
Die neuen, detaillierten archäologischen Daten erlauben bei der Untersuchung römischer Militäranlagen nun genauere Analysen des jeweiligen Standortes und der Morphologie. Es ist so nun möglich nachzuzeichnen, wie die theoretischen Grundsätze der metatio castrorum an die örtlichen Gegebenheiten angepasst wurden. Dieser Beitrag befasst sich mit drei Hauptaspekten: Morphologie, Verteidigungssystem und Standortmuster. Dennoch stellt er notwendigerweise nur eine Annäherung an diese Thematik dar.
ABSTRACT
In ancient times, different ethnic groups inhabited the north-western area of the Iberian Peninsula, symbolically delimited in the south by the river Douro and in the east by the course of the Esla and/ or Cea. The
arrival of Roman power implied their integration and generic grouping into three conuentus, those called after the Callaeci Lucenses (northwest), the Callaeci Bracarenses (southwest), and the Astures (east). The absorption of these territories into the Roman world has
been commonly linked with certain conquest episodes, which have largely monopolised the historiographical discourse. However, these traditional approaches were very dependent on Greco-Roman written sources due to the scarcity of archaeological data. The awakening
of Roman military archaeology as an autonomous discipline in Spain has forced a transformation of this scenario. Still, to what extent have the existence of new archaeological data changed the way in which we
approach the Roman conquest of these territories?
ABSTRACT
The aim of this short paper is to report some sites discovered during the developing of research projects not linked with Roman military archaeology. All of them are located in modern-day Galicia, a marginal region of when compared to the discoveries that have taken place in recent decades in the Astur and Cantabrian areas. The use of a specific methodology involving geospatial technologies has been vital to this end.
PS. Soon after the publishing of this paper (mid. 2015), the Valadouro enclosure was considered a false positive and it has not been included in any further work (vid. https://www.academia.edu/37679226/The_Presence_of_the_Roman_Army_in_North-Western_Hispania_New_Archaeological_Data_from_Ancient_Asturias_and_Galicia).
La intención de esta noticia es dar a conocer una serie de yacimientos descubiertos en su mayoría en el marco de investigaciones que poco o nada tienen que ver con la arqueología militar romana. Todos ellos se sitúan en el occidente galaico, una región que hasta la fecha se había mantenido un tanto al margen de los descubrimientos que se han producido en la últimas décadas en los ámbitos ástur y cántabro, mediante el empleo de una metodología específica en la que el uso de las nuevas tecnologías geoespaciales adquiere un notable peso específico.
PD. Poco después de esta publicación, el recinto de Valadouro se consideró un falso positivo y no ha sido incluido en ulteriores trabajos (vid. https://www.academia.edu/37679226/The_Presence_of_the_Roman_Army_in_North-Western_Hispania_New_Archaeological_Data_from_Ancient_Asturias_and_Galicia).
Costa-García, J. M. Galicia Cen: Obxectos para contar unha cultura. pp. 67 - 69. Santiago de Compostela: Consello da Cultura Galega, 2016. ISBN 9788492923717 / 9788492923724
Costa-García, J. M. Galicia Cen: Obxectos para contar unha cultura. pp. 70 - 72. Santiago de Compostela: Consello da Cultura Galega, 2016. ISBN 9788492923717 / 9788492923724
[ENG] In this work we present a methodology for the detection and study of archaeological sites related to the Roman military presence in Northwest Iberia. e methodology is based on the combined use of easily accessible tools for any researcher, from aerial photo analysis, cartography, place-names and oral tradition to eld survey. e recent availability of LiDAR data in Spain must be added to the resources previously mentioned. We consider the potential of these techniques in dierent types of terrain, proving their eciency for archaeological research. Finally, we present and discuss some proposals for the dissemination of the archaeological heritage associated with the Roman army and historical processes related to their presence.
associado uma torre de planta quadrangular. Este possível acampamento foi como tal identificado por uma inscrição gravada sobre um penedo que se localiza nas proximidades onde supostamente se lê Castra Oresbi. A exiguidade dos dados arqueológicos apresentados levou-nos a realizar uma
revisão integral das evidências disponíveis através de pesquisa bibliográfica, prospeção arqueológica, aplicação de tecnologias geoespaciais e análise epigráfica. O objetivo deste trabalho passa por
avaliar o verdadeiro potencial arqueológico da zona e propor a sua reinterpretação.
Palavras-chave: Arqueologia; Epigraa; Fotogrametria; Deteção Remota.
[ENG] Lino Tavares Dias and António Baptista Lopes both report the existence of a Roman military camp on the summit of the Marão Mountain, defined by a rectangular enclosure, to which it would be
associated a quadrangular tower. It is possible camp have been identified as such by a rock-cut inscription located nearby, where supposedly one can read Castra Oresbi. The paucity of the existent archaeological data led us to conduct a full review of the available evidences through bibliographic research, archaeological
prospection, the application of geospatial technologies and epigraphic analysis. The objective of this work is to assess the true archaeological potential of the area and to propose its reinterpretation.
Keywords: Archaeology; Epigraphy; Photogrammetry; Remote sensing.
Y es que, aunque estas actividades han generado un ingente volumen documental (artículos, estudios, alguna monografía) cuando no han dado pie a la celebración de reuniones y congresos especializados, son todavía muchas las lagunas en el estudio del mundo militar romano. En un momento que estimamos punto de inflexión entre el empleo de los métodos tradicionales y la irrupción de las nuevas tecnologías en arqueología, consideramos que el tiempo para la reflexión, para la revisión de todo ese conjunto de informaciones, se ha ido agotando sin que la disciplina haya asentado las bases que en el futuro habrían de regir sus líneas de investigación. Renunciando a una labor que podría resultar más vistosa y agradecida como es la de abrir nuevos caminos optamos, en cambio, por ordenar todo el bagaje acumulado a lo largo del tiempo, en diferentes espacios y por diferentes manos.
En un ámbito caracterizado por la dispersión de contenidos, donde ciertas materias o yacimientos cuentan con excelentes monografías mientras que otros carecen casi por completo de estudios científicos, resulta muy complicado establecer un método analítico uniforme o extraer sólidas conclusiones. Es por ello que siempre hemos considerado que nuestro trabajo debía servir a un planteamiento metodológico abierto a nuevos aportes y estimaciones antes que ofrecer un modelo conclusivo. Esta obra es, a un tiempo, un producto querido y una obligada herramienta que nos hemos visto en la tesitura de fabricar. En muchos aspectos nos encontramos con un trabajo clásico desde un punto de vista historiográfico pero en el que constantemente es imposible no plantearse desiderata de manera continuada. Un proyecto ambicioso cuya única y real aspiración es, paradójicamente, la de servir de escalón sobre el que auparse en la búsqueda de nuevas metas.
Tres partes de desigual extensión y muy diferente cometido componen el conjunto y todas ellas pueden analizarse tanto desde un punto de vista expositivo como desde una óptica marcadamente orgánica. El primer capítulo sirve de introducción al conjunto del trabajo dado que en él se exponen y aclaran muchos de los conceptos de los que luego se hará uso en las restantes secciones; el segundo profundiza en la materia al exponerse pormenorizadamente las características de los yacimientos hispanos seleccionados; el último tiene un doble valor analítico, ya que los asentamientos se clasifican y diseccionan entonces para proceder a su estudio de acuerdo con diferentes aproximaciones. Preferimos, sin embargo, decantarnos por la segunda visión de los contenidos en su conjunto, con un núcleo temático compuesto por el catálogo de yacimientos alrededor del que orbitan dos partes de similar tamaño: una que viene a plantear una serie de cuestiones de importancia para el conocimiento de la realidad castrametacional en Hispania y otra en la que se intenta dar respuesta a las mismas.
La contextualización del objeto de estudio suele constituir la sección más engorrosa de muchas obras que versan sobre los asentamientos militares romanos, limitándose a repetir, de manera recurrente, unos contenidos estandarizados independientemente de si el elemento que guía el discurso es el tiempo, el espacio o una adscripción tipológica dada. En nuestro caso, algunos aspectos, por conocidos, han sido tratados a lo largo del primer capítulo de forma más liviana, mientras que otros reciben una atención más interesada. Espacio ¿Hispania-, tiempo ¿mundo romano en su totalidad- y agente efectivo ¿ejército romano- se combinan en un único apartado que pretende definir el marco histórico en el que se desarrolló la técnica castrametacional. La definición de la misma disciplina técnica -castrametación- constituye el objetivo de la siguiente sección, que comienza con una revisión del tratamiento que le profesaron los autores y tratadistas antiguos para, a continuación, profundizar en el análisis de una terminología que debe servir para adscribir con la necesaria precisión la realidad arqueológica con que nos encontraremos en el siguiente capítulo. La conjunción de sendos elementos nos permite sentar las bases de una tipología que no se deja llevar en exceso por una sola variable, dando como resultado un producto más estable y versátil. Finalmente, nos detenemos en el obligado estudio de la arquitectura militar, no sólo desde un punto de vista estrictamente estructural, sino también morfológico y espacial.
La segunda parte se compone íntegramente por el catálogo de yacimientos hispanos relacionados con la presencia militar romana durante el periodo altoimperial. Lejos de convertir las correspondientes secciones en un mero compilación de informaciones acerca de los yacimientos, hemos de señalar que buena parte del aparato analítico e interpretativo se ha fiado a este capítulo. Ya no se trata de encuadrar tipológica o cronológicamente los asentamientos, sino de responder a las particulares problemáticas que pudiesen plantear ¿fases de ocupación, estudio de materiales arqueológicos, análisis del entorno¿-. Aunque en principio toda Hispania está incluida en el estudio, el peso específico de las regiones norteñas es lógicamente mayor dado que es en el tercio septentrional que se localiza lo fundamental de la acción bélica, a la que sucede el acantonamiento estable de las tropas.
La base documental para la elaboración de dicha relación es fundamentalmente bibliográfica ¿lo que nos permite valorar asimismo el desigual impacto de cada uno de los sitios estudiados-, si bien en muchas ocasiones hemos ido algo más allá, visitando los asentamientos en persona o contactando con sus excavadores y descubridores para plantearles algunas dudas puntuales. Debemos hacer constar, asimismo, que contamos con información privilegiada para el caso de A Cidadela en tanto hemos formado parte del equipo arqueológico que allí excavó entre los años 2007 y 2010, de modo que buena parte de los contenidos e interpretaciones a él referidos han sido desarrollados por nosotros en tiempos muy recientes.
La tercera y última sección de este trabajo retoma los planteamientos apuntados en la primera parte, los reordena e intenta dar salida a las interrogantes que han ido surgiendo a lo largo de la obra mediante el planteamiento de aproximaciones estadísticas a partir de un determinado número de variables preconcebidas. Un primer apartado se ocupa de la selección y encuadre de los enclaves militares, ordenándolos de acuerdo con la tipología que se les ha asignado y observándose detenidamente tanto su patrón de asentamiento como su papel en el despliegue militar a lo largo de los años. A continuación, se estudiarán los aspectos morfológicos de los sujetos, tales como la forma perimetral, la modulación que rige su planeamiento, la superficie total y área de ocupación o su ordenamiento interno. Mucho más conservador puede considerarse el análisis de la arquitectura militar, proponiéndose un sencillo sistema de clasificación de defensas e identificándose las estructuras internas de acuerdo con los patrones habitualmente barajados. Por último se plantea la cuestión del entorno de los asentamientos militares, probablemente uno de los ámbitos con mayor potencial para el futuro desarrollo de la disciplina.
Aunque formalmente la obra termina en las provisionales conclusiones, existe a mayores una serie de materiales de apoyo. En primer lugar un número considerable de figuras que vienen a ilustrar diversos aspectos contenidos en la obra se encuentran al final de cada sección específica del catálogo y al remate de los capítulos I y III en su conjunto. Por su parte, las tablas, algunas de ellas desplegables, se localizan al final del volumen. Por último, las gráficas se insertan en el mismo texto en las proximidades de la correspondiente llamada. Dos apéndices, 1 y 2, se encuentran tras las conclusiones a la obra. El primero de ellos es un glosario de términos técnicos ¿en su mayoría latinos- que han ido apareciendo en el texto, mientras que el segundo es una breve relación de los cuerpos militares romanos directamente relacionados con Hispania, ya sea porque en ella estuvieron acantonados o porque de ella provenían sus contingentes originales. Por último, un listado de la bibliografía empleada en la redacción de este volumen remata el conjunto. En ella se diferencian los textos de autores antiguos, las abreviaturas usadas -publicaciones periódicas, principales obras colectivas y corpora epigráficos- y un listado general de la bibliografía restante."
Nos últimos anos, a aplicación de novas tecnoloxías á arqueoloxía permitiu o descubrimento dun bo número de xacementos que poderían clarificar a natureza e o alcance dese fenómeno histórico. Sen embargo, a medida que nos adentramos no estudo daquel remoto acontecemento atopámonos co rastro dunha violencia que non nos é nin tan allea nin tan distante. Pode o noso pasado arroxar algunhas claves que expliquen o noso presente? Pode axudarnos a construir un futuro diferente?
This is usually the case of the Roman roads, as in the NW Iberian Peninsula. Here, in the Roman provice of Gallaecia, a number of scholars have contributed extensively to the reconstruction of the likely routes of the main Roman roads in the last decades. In this paper we will show a complementary approach that, based on a LCP analysis, tries to tackle the question of why the roads follow those particular routes. By doing so, we will try to understand the influence of topographic factors in the road network, and the role of some particular sites in the social, administrative and political organization of the territory.
Jose Costa’s talk, entitled “The invisible war”, presented some of the archaeological evidence that allows us to reconstruct a conflict that two thousand years ago shook the peninsular northwest, transforming the landscape and planting the seed of the world in which we live. "Acculturation", "colonialism", "asymmetric conflict" are concepts that can be applied to events and processes of the past but ... all of them were born to describe recent events. Thus, Costa wanted to go beyond the archaeological data, connect historical phenomena and present realities in order to reflect on how directly or indirectly we also are partakers of violence in our world today, and how we can act both as a winners and losers in this process.
We encourage you to see the video of the intervention and delve into these interesting questions.
In the last decades several Roman camps have been discovered in the northernmost territories of the Iberian Peninsula, mainly related to the Augustus’s campaigns against the indigenous communities called Cantabri and Astures by the Roman ethnographers. Our aim in this paper is to divulge deeper into this topic by presenting some sites recently discovered in the Spanish provinces of León, Asturias, Lugo and Coruña, as well as in northern Portugal. A low-cost methodology has been applied for their study combining historical aerial photography, modern satellite and aerial photography, aerial LiDAR, GIS software and conventional archaeological field survey techniques which also provide a strong attention to local place-names and folklore. After an accurate morphological analysis based on the resulting data, the spatial and functional characterization of these camps is taken into account to achieve their proper historical and archaeological contextualization. Since not many castra aestiua have been located in those areas, these findings represent an important step in order to understand the activities carried out by the Roman army in north-western Iberia during the early years of the Principate.
Apresentado no GENIUS LOCI: Lugares e Significados, realizada em Porto (Portugal), 20-22 Abril 2016.
Lino Tavares Dias (1997: 301) e António Baptista Lopes (1998: 290-291) referem a existência de um acampamento militar romano no alto da Serra do Marão, definido por um recinto rectangular, ao qual lhe estaria associado uma torre de planta quadrangular. Este possível acampamento é identificado por uma inscrição gravada sobre um penedo que se localiza nas proximidades: Castra Oresbi. A exiguidade dos dados arqueológicos apresentados levou mesmo alguns autores (Martins 2009: 127) a contestar esta interpretação, considerando “mais viável a hipótese do penedo estar associado a um termo de populus, ou a um limite de "grupo social" de categoria inferior ao primeiro” (ibid.).
Posto isto, propomo-nos realizar uma revisão integral da evidência arqueológica disponível através de pesquisa bibliográfica, prospecção, aplicação de tecnologias geoespaciais e análise epigráfica. O objetivo deste trabalho passa por avaliar o verdadeiro potencial arqueológico desta zona e propor uma reinterpretação desta problemática científica.
Apresentado no GENIUS LOCI: Lugares e Significados, realizada em Porto (Portugal), 20-22 Abril 2016.
En este trabajo presentamos y abrimos a debate una propuesta metodológica para la detección y estudio de restos estructurales relacionados con la presencia militar romana en el noroeste ibérico. Tras varias experiencias investigadoras en diferentes este territorio hemos valorado las potencialidades y limitaciones de diversas técnicas en un amplio rango de terrenos, testándose de manera eficiente su utilidad para la prospección arqueológica. La metodología propuesta se basa en el uso combinado de varias herramientas de bajo coste y fácil acceso para cualquier investigador, desde el análisis de la fotografía aérea histórica y actual y la cartografía, la observación de la toponimia y folklore tradicional hasta el trabajo de prospección en campo. A todo ello se une la reciente disponibilidad de datos LiDAR aéreo para la mayor parte del territorio español, lo que abre la puerta a la localización de yacimientos hasta ahora imperceptibles mediante el empleo de otros medios de prospección telemática. Por otra parte, exponemos también una serie de propuestas de divulgación del patrimonio arqueológico asociado a la presencia del ejército romano y a los procesos históricos ligados al mismo, aspecto que consideramos debe ir de la mano de la propia investigación.
Session “Enough LiDAR on my plate: interpretation of changing landscapes between the awakening and fall of the Roman Empire” at the EAA Annual Meeting in Maastricht (The Netherlands), 30 August-3 September 2017
Session organizers: David González Álvarez (Durham University/Incipit, CSIC), João Fonte (University of Exeter/Incipit, CSIC) and José M. Costa García (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam/Universidade de Santiago de Compostela)
Contact to david.gonzalez-alvarez@durham.ac.uk, j.fonte2@exeter.ac.uk or j.m.costagarcia@vu.nl for detailed info and further queries.
Submission for papers will be opened the 31st of January, 2017 at the website http://www.eaa2017maastricht.nl/