Leiden University Student Repository

Torn Broers, Arie (2022)

The Roman Hauran: a study on the economic impact of the Roman empire on the northern Provincia Arabia

Bachelor thesis | Archeologie (BA)

In the north of Jordan lies an area named the southern Hauran. This remote region belonged to many empires, but has not been subject of extensive research. Therefore, this thesis focuseson the late Nabataean and Roman periods in the area. Previously collected survey data is analyzed from an economic perspective. A brief historic overview of the relevant periods serves as a background onto which the changes are projected. Different aspects of the economy, like markets, trade and agriculture are discussed. Survey finds showed that the economy of the Hauran mainly consisted of semi-arid and arid subsistence farming. Dams and cisterns were the main agricultural structures found. These structures had been in use by the Nabataean inhabitants of the Negev for farming in arid areas. Therefore, the finds indicate local people farming in the southern Hauran, rather than Roman settlers. There was no record of any structures related to specialized farming, such as oil and wine presses. However,...Show moreIn the north of Jordan lies an area named the southern Hauran. This remote region belonged to many empires, but has not been subject of extensive research. Therefore, this thesis focuseson the late Nabataean and Roman periods in the area. Previously collected survey data is analyzed from an economic perspective. A brief historic overview of the relevant periods serves as a background onto which the changes are projected. Different aspects of the economy, like markets, trade and agriculture are discussed. Survey finds showed that the economy of the Hauran mainly consisted of semi-arid and arid subsistence farming. Dams and cisterns were the main agricultural structures found. These structures had been in use by the Nabataean inhabitants of the Negev for farming in arid areas. Therefore, the finds indicate local people farming in the southern Hauran, rather than Roman settlers. There was no record of any structures related to specialized farming, such as oil and wine presses. However, there was an increase in economic activity in the area, starting in the first century AD. This is mainly seen in the pottery found at several sites. Pottery also reveals that long distance trade in the area was not practiced on a large scale, with only 26.1% of sites having any foreign pottery at all. The only sites where long distance trade has been attested are located within 500 meters from the main Roman road which runs through the area. A comparison with the adjacent region of the Decapolis shows profound differences. The Decapolis did see specialization and trade increase in the Roman period, whereas the southern Hauran did not. Thus, the impact of the economy of the Roman empire on the local economy of the southern Hauran seems to have been marginal. Only the increase in activity may have been a direct impact of Roman involvement. The army units stationed in the area may have demanded more local production of food. However, additional research in the area can provide a much more detailed picture of the economic situation in the area during the late Nabataean and Roman periods.Show less

Roman Archaeology

Author

Torn Broers, Arie

Faculty

Faculty of Archaeology

Supervisors

de Haas, T.C.A.

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en