We will host a session dedicated to simulation and the Roman frontiers at the Limes congress, on 21-27 August 2022 in Nijmegen (the Netherlands). Do you work on computational approaches in Roman Studies, simulation, GIS, large digital data? Consider presenting your work in our session #31: Simulating the Limes. Challenges to computational modelling in Roman Studies.
Deadline 15 September
Here is the session abstract:
The increasing availability of large digital data sets requires archaeologists and historians to develop or adopt new analytical tools in order to detect and understand socio-economic and cultural patterns and to compare these at wider spatial and temporal scales. Simulation and other types of computational modelling are rapidly becoming a key instruments for this type of research. They are used to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and archaeological evidence. These models can be of an exploratory nature, or attempt to closely emulate historical dynamics, and enable us to understand the mechanisms underlying, for example, e.g. population changes or economic systems.
Despite having access to large amounts of high-quality data, Roman studies have so far been relatively slow in adopting computational modelling, and Limes studies are no exception. The Limes is a particular case since each border region has its own characteristics, environmental setting, cultural background and specific relationship with the ‘core’ but also shares common features derived from being at the ‘outskirts’ of political, economic and cultural life. The interaction between these two dimensions is highly complex. Thus, the Limes constitutes an arena where formal modelling methods have particularly high potential. However, key challenges to this approach are i) the proper integration of archaeological and historical data sets; ii) a good understanding of what proxies to use, and iii) the computational power needed for modelling at larger scales.
We invite papers that showcase examples of modelling within the broader thematic setting of the Limes, taking these challenges into account. Suggested topics of interest are the economy of the Limes, urbanisation and settlement dynamics, demography, military campaigns, and relationships between the Limes, the rest of the Roman Empire and the zones beyond the frontier. Statistical modelling, GIS, simulation (e.g., Agent-based modelling), network models and other types of formal approaches are all welcome. Comparative studies are especially welcomed.
More details on the CFP:
The LIMES Congress XXV Scientific Committee is pleased to invite you to submit paper proposals that will present new discoveries and ideas in the field of Roman Frontier Studies. Paper proposals should include the following information:
- Title of Presentation
- Speaker information (organization/company, e-mail address)
- Co-authors information (organization/company, e-mail address)
- Themed session selection (Please choose general session if paper does not fit in offered session selections)
- Abstract of the paper (max 300 words)
Each proposed paper must be submitted online through the LIMES Congress XXV website no later than the extended deadline 15th of September 2021. Paper proposals will be reviewed by the Session Organisers and the Scientific Committee. The presenter of the paper will be informed by email by mid-February 2022. The congress schedule will be announced by March 2022. Please be aware of the following:
- To create a well-balanced and diverse congress program only one paper per person is allowed.
- Presentation time is limited. We advise you to prepare for a ± 15 min presentation. The exact timing and time slot will be communicated once the program is complete.
- A short Q & A with the audience will be held at the end of each presentation.
- Session Chairs are also eligible to present one paper or poster.
- The official congress languages are English, French, and German.
- In case your paper was not selected for presentation you can be invited to present it in poster format.
Please find below the proposed sessions. If you have any questions please contact us at: info@limes2022.org
Archaeological Networks 
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