Modelling of pathways and movement networks in archaeology: an overview of current approaches

Philip Verhagen (1) , Laure Nuninger (2, 3) , Groenhuijzen Mark (1)

1 CLUE+ - Research Institute for Culture, History and Heritage
2 MSHE - Maison des Sciences de l'Homme et de l'Environnement Claude Nicolas Ledoux (UAR 3124)
3 LCE - Laboratoire Chrono-environnement (UMR 6249)

This chapter presents and discusses current approaches and trends in computer-based modelling of pathways and movement networks in archaeology. After an introduction to the theoretical concepts involved, we present a state of the art of methodologies applied for reconstructing pathways and movement in ancient landscapes and discuss the various difficulties in using these methods as well as the most important technical hurdles involved. The problems of integrating optimal pathfinding algorithms with ‘softer’ socio-cultural variables are highlighted, as well as the limitations of modelling connections between places using least-cost path-techniques. Network analysis reconstruction and analysis approaches are then reviewed as tools to better understand the overall structure of movement and communication in ancient landscapes. It is concluded that, while the potential of current approaches for understanding ancient movement is considerable, improvement is still needed in three main areas: the integration of approaches, sensitivity analysis and validation, and the theoretical underpinning of models of ancient movement.

Mots clés: Movement; Pathways; Landscape archaeology; Least-cost paths; Network analysis

Domaines: Archéologie et Préhistoire; Histoire; Méthodes et statistiques; Géographie; Modélisation et simulation; Environnement et Société

Philip Verhagen, Laure Nuninger, Groenhuijzen Mark. Modelling of pathways and movement networks in archaeology: an overview of current approaches. Verhagen Philip; Joyce Jamie; Groenhuijzen Mark. Finding the limits of the limes: modelling economy, demography and transport at the Edge of the Roman Empire, Springer, pp.217-249, 2019, Simulation Studies in Archaeology, ⟨10.1007/978-3-030-04576-0_11⟩. ⟨hal-01860568⟩