Chapitre 9. Le chaland Arles-Rhône 3 dans la batellerie gallo-romaine : étude typologique et interprétation historique

A recent study reveals that the Arles-Rhône 3 barge, dating from the 50s AD, represents a unique blend of Mediterranean maritime and continental fluvial architectural traditions within Gallo-Roman river craft. The barge's slender hull with an elongation coefficient of 1/10, combined with its structural complexity—including mixed bilge strakes and half-trunk fir wood sides—distinguishes it from other wrecks in the Rhône-Saône basin. This design choice, likely influenced by Arles' strategic position as a port city, suggests a sophisticated technical expertise in boatbuilding that integrated Mediterranean maritime influences while maintaining fluvial characteristics. The study also highlights the economic implications of such design choices, with the barge's 'profitability coefficient' indicating potential adaptations to short-haul transport on the Rhône River.

Rieth, E. (2014). Chapitre 9. Le chaland Arles-Rhône 3 dans la batellerie gallo-romaine : étude typologique et interprétation historique. Archaeonautica, 18(1), 279–287. https://doi.org/10.3406/nauti.2014.1374