Project introduction

This collaborative project uses analyses of the co-presence of ceramics and marble to explore changing connections between Portus, Rome and selected ports in the Mediterranean at defined chronological periods throughout the imperial period. In particular, it attempts to establish how far this kind of evidence supports the notion that there may have been networks of ports dependant in some way upon Portus, and the degree to which these may have changed through time.

While an answer to these questions would be interesting in itself, the methodologies of study are also important end results. The project proposes the consistent use of the same techniques of quantification and characterization, as a way of arriving at more statistically defensible material for inter-port comparisons. Unpublished data would be ideal for this although some published data might also be usable. Furthermore, inter-port trade flows would be modelled by developing a semantic web environment for comparison of data from different port sites, mediated to some degree by a GIS that enabled the constraints of the Mediterranean to be introduced at least at the basic level.

The project runs between 2008 and 2011. The outputs will be a major conference in 2011, its subsequent publication and an "active" website.

The Director of the Project is Simon Keay (British School of Rome and University of Southampton) and the project draws together an extensive team of individuals and institutions whose expertise spans ceramics and marble, primarily from the west Mediterranean, but also from the east, as well as computing matters and issues relating to ship cargoes.

Financial and logistical support to the project is currently being provided by the British School at Rome and the Institut Catalá d'Arqueologia Clàssica, while additional funding is being currently sought. The project is also benefiting from close institutional links with the Centre Camille Jullian (Aix-en-Provence) and the Universidad de Sevilla.

All members of the steering group, as well as collaborating institutions and individuals are encouraged to use the website blog when it comes online in the spirit of maintaining an open dialogue. In the meantime the Intranet includes all contact details.