L’espace de navigation du chaland et la question de son armement

A study of the Arles-Rhône 3 barge reveals that its design, optimized for navigating strong currents upstream from Arles, likely restricted it to local economic circuits during the Roman era. While the barge's structure suggests a role in transporting heavy goods downstream and lighter loads like livestock or wool upstream, key questions about its outfitting, navigation organization, and chartering agreements remain unanswered. The research proposes potential scenarios, including public or private sector involvement, but emphasizes the broader need to understand water transport economies on the Rhône River during this period. The study highlights gaps in knowledge that warrant further exploration, particularly regarding the barge's operational dynamics and its integration into regional trade networks.

Marlier, S. (2014). L’espace de navigation du chaland et la question de son armement. Archaeonautica, 18(1), 271–278. https://doi.org/10.3406/nauti.2014.1373