ANAMED Library Talks continue on April 7 with Alkiviadis Ginalis and Emmanuel Nantet. The title of the talk is “Harbours of the Aegean in Late Antiquity and the Medieval Period. Thessaly, Maritime Connectivity, and the Eastern Mediterranean Seascape.”

The book represents a first comprehensive introduction into the archaeological study of harbors and maritime connectivity in the Aegean that goes beyond the investigation of individual sites. By synthesizing the existence of different harbor infrastructures and their functionality, a concept for the correct interpretation and thus hierarchical interaction of coastal facilities is given. This offers a general understanding of the complex picture of seascapes in the eastern Mediterranean in Late Antiquity and the medieval periods. In contrast to most studies, the present book examines not only easily tangible port cities and major harbor sites but incorporates and focuses also on local and regional infrastructures as the diachronic backbone of maritime economy. This results in a comprehensive analysis of historical and architectural developments, as well as an in-depth understanding of port networks and maritime connectivity in the Byzantine East. A detailed archaeological examination of the province of Thessaly is used as a representative case study. It constitutes not only an ideal region to gain equal information for the Early–Late Byzantine periods but also to compare independent regional and imperial building activities. Furthermore, by featuring very diverse maritime and coastal landscapes, it portrays a large variety of coastal sites and thus reflects the full spectrum of maritime activities in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. These include gulfs, open coastlines, peninsulas, archipelagos, and river deltas.

This month’s talk will be online. Please click on the link below to register.

Registration link: https://kocun.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9GYw_14GQXOAOGcOEJ2hSg

Image: Book Cover of the Harbours of the Aegean in Late Antiquity and the Medieval Period. Thessaly, Maritime Connectivity, and the Eastern Mediterranean Seascape