Trade in the Roman and late antique world

A diachronic analysis between Archaeology, History and Climate (1st‑7th C. AD)

Abstract

The Ancient Economy remains a rich field of analysis, but still complex and hard when trying their data integration from diverse epistemological nature. Therefore, there are few attempts of data-crossing concerning History, Archaeology or Environment.

In this paper, we try to carry out two main exercises for data-crossing. To analyse diachronically archaeological data concerning trade, namely those which transmit more accurately temporal and regional flotations, as terra sigillata. To compare these data with economic ones based on environmental and epidemiological nature. To analyse the costs of transport proposed by the Edit of Prices from 301 AD, comparing the real costs among diverse routes, in order to unveil the relation between the costs related to intermediates and the final product costs related to consumers in each region.