Publications
The Northern Frontier
Excavations at the Roman fort of Vindolanda, spanning over forty years, have revealed significant insights into the management and dynamics of Rome's northern frontier in Britain. The study highlights a period of relative stability along the Stanegate, marked by controlled movement through fortified garrisons and often friendly interactions between Roman troops and local peoples. Notably, letters from Vindolanda provide detailed information about military units stationed there, including the Tungri and Batavi, during the late first and early second centuries. This research sheds light on Rome's strategic adjustments following its withdrawal from northern Scotland around 86–87 AD, coinciding with aggressive campaigns in Dacia under Emperor Trajan.
The Body in the Ditch: Alternative Funerary Practices on the Northern Frontier of the Roman Empire?
Disarticulated human remains of a male individual, recovered from a first-century fort ditch at Vindolanda on the Roman Empire's northwestern frontier, challenge traditional views of funerary practices. Ancient DNA analysis confirmed the skeletal remains' identity, while forensic taphonomic analysis suggested primary deposition in a waterlogged environment without formal burial. This discovery highlights the complexity and variability of Roman-era disposal practices, contradicting historical sources that imply more standardized rituals. The study underscores the need to reconsider how ancient societies managed their dead, particularly on empire frontiers.
Frontiers and Mobilities: The Frontiers of the Roman Empire and Europe
Roman frontiers, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offer valuable insights for contemporary Europe by serving as sites of encounter and transformation. This study bridges the fields of border studies and Roman Frontier Studies to explore how ancient frontiers can inform modern debates on integration and border dissolution. By analyzing the relationship between the Roman Frontiers initiative and the European Union's goals, it advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration to reflect on current challenges facing Europe. The research emphasizes frontiers as dynamic spaces where cultural exchange and transformation occurred, providing a lens through which to examine present-day border dynamics.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire
A comprehensive exploration of the Roman frontiers, known as 'limes' in German literature, reveals that these frontiers were not merely defined by military structures but also by complex social and cultural dynamics. The study emphasizes a shift from traditional military-focused interpretations to broader analyses that incorporate the experiences and identities of populations living along and beyond these frontiers. Spanning from the 1st to early 5th century, this research highlights the multifaceted nature of frontier heritage, moving away from material remains to encompass historical, social, and interpretive dimensions. It also addresses contemporary approaches to preserving and understanding this heritage in the 21st century.
Quod nunc Rubrum ad mare patescit: the mare Rubrum as a frontier of the Roman Empire
A re-evaluation of Tacitus' 'Annals' reveals that the Red Sea (mare Rubrum) was perceived as a new frontier of the Roman Empire following the annexation of the Nabataean kingdom, rather than a boundary for Roman Egypt. This insight challenges previous interpretations and underscores the significance of this expansion in Roman imperial strategy. The study employs close textual analysis to dissect Tacitus' allusive language, particularly the use of 'nunc,' which hints at recent territorial changes. By focusing on the southern Arabian frontier, the research provides a nuanced understanding of how Rome's imperial ambitions were communicated and perceived during this period.
Ex Oriente Ad Danubium; The Syrian Units on the Danube Frontier of the Roman Empire
Roman military strategy on the Danube frontier incorporated Syrian units, as revealed by historical and archaeological evidence. These units played a crucial role in securing the empire's northern border, blending Eastern tactical innovations with Roman organizational frameworks. The study analyzes their deployment, training, and cultural integration through textual sources, inscriptions, and material culture, offering new insights into the Roman army's adaptability and multicultural dynamics during the 2nd to 4th centuries CE.
Geophysical prospection of the frontiers of the Roman Empire in southern Germany, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Geophysical prospection, particularly magnetometry, successfully uncovered the precise location and structural details of a Roman fort at Oberhochstatt, previously elusive despite extensive searches. This non-destructive technique also refined the map of another fort at Theilenhofen, revealing its fortifications, water supply, troop levels, and confirming the presence of an underlying Roman vicus. The study demonstrates magnetometry's efficacy in advancing archaeological knowledge without excavation, crucial for preserving UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Roman Limes in southern Germany.
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