Recycling and Reuse in the Roman Economy

Edited by Chloë N. Duckworth and Andrew Wilson

Oxford Studies on the Roman Economy

Argues powerfully for a radical re-evaluation of existing models of the Roman economy in order to take into account recycling and reuse
Includes hitherto unreported findings derived from the use of large datasets and cutting edge scientific methodologies
Integrates research from a range of specialisms in an interdisciplinary manner that will be of value to archaeological and ancient historical research beyond the Roman world

Recycling and Reuse in the Roman Economy

Edited by Chloë N. Duckworth and Andrew Wilson

Oxford Studies on the Roman Economy

Description

The recycling and reuse of materials and objects were extensive in the past, but have rarely been embedded into models of the economy; even more rarely has any attempt been made to address the scale of these practices. Recent developments, including the use of large datasets, computational modelling, and high-resolution analytical chemistry are increasingly offering the means to reconstruct recycling and reuse, and even to approach the thorny issue of quantification. This volume is the first to bring together these new approaches, and the first to present a consideration of recycling and reuse in the Roman economy, taking into account a range of materials and using a variety of methodological approaches. It presents integrated, cross-referential evidence for the recycling and reuse of textiles, papyrus, statuary and building materials, amphorae, metals, and glass, and examines significant questions about organization, value, and the social meaning of recycling.

Recycling and Reuse in the Roman Economy

Edited by Chloë N. Duckworth and Andrew Wilson

Oxford Studies on the Roman Economy

1. Introduction: Recycling and Reuse in the Roman Economy, Chloë N. Duckworth and Andrew Wilson
2. Recycling in the Roman World: Concepts, Questions, Materials, and Organization, J. Theodore Peña
Part I: Reusing Commodities, Transforming Meaning
3. The Reuse of Textiles in the Roman World, John Peter Wild
4. Reuse and Recycling of Papyrus, Erja Salmenkivi
5. Reuse of Statuary and Spolia: An Economic Perspective, Simon J. Barker
6. An Inconvenient Truth: Evaluating the Impact of Amphora Reuse through Computational Simulation Modelling, Tom Brughmans and Alessandra Pecci
Part II: Chemical Data and Material Flows
7. Modelling Roman Concepts of Copper-Alloy Recycling and Mutability: The Chemical Characterization Hypothesis and Roman Britain, Peter Bray
8. Recycling and Roman Silver Coinage, Matthew J. Ponting
9. Elements, Isotopes, and Glass Recycling, Patrick Degryse
10. Seeking the Invisible: New Approaches to Roman Glass Recycling, Chloë N. Duckworth
Part III: Site Formation, Visibility, and Temporality of Recycling
11. A Regional Economy of Recycling over Four Centuries at Spolverino (Tuscany) and Environs, Alessandro Sebastiani and Thomas J. Derrick
12. The Organized Recycling of Roman Villa Sites, Beth Munro
13. Old Buildings, Building Material, and the Death of Recycling in Post-Roman Britain, Robin Fleming
14. Reuse of Roman Artefacts in Late Antiquity and the Early Medieval West: A Case Study from Britain of Bracelets and Belt Fittings, Ellen Swift
Part IV: Where Next?
15. When the Statue is Both Marble, and Lime, Chloë N. Duckworth, Andrew Wilson, Astrid Van Oyen, Catherine Alexander, Jane Evans, Christopher Green, and David J. Mattingly

Recycling and Reuse in the Roman Economy

Edited by Chloë N. Duckworth and Andrew Wilson

Oxford Studies on the Roman Economy

Author Information

Chloë N. Duckworth, Lecturer in Archaeological Materials Science, Newcastle University,Andrew Wilson, Professor of the Archaeology of the Roman Empire, University of Oxford

Chloë N. Duckworth is a Lecturer in Archaeological Materials Science at Newcastle University. Her research focuses upon the chemical analysis of ancient and medieval glass, and upon the archaeology, science, and theory of technology and production. She directs archaeological fieldwork at two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Spain: the Alhambra (Granada) and Madinat al-Zahra (Cordoba). She is a keen advocate of public outreach and works to disseminate archaeological knowledge both in traditional media (television and radio) and online.

Andrew Wilson is Professor of the Archaeology of the Roman Empire at the University of Oxford and Fellow of All Souls College. His research focuses on the Roman economy and ancient technology, urbanism, and settlement, and he has conducted excavations in Italy, Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Cyprus, and Turkey. He is co-director (with Alan Bowman) of the Oxford Roman Economy Project (OxREP) and (with Chris Howgego) of the OxREP-Ashmolean Coin Hoards of the Roman Empire project; he is also Principal Investigator of the Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa project (EAMENA).

Contributors:

Catherine Alexander
Simon J. Barker
Peter Bray
Tom Brughmans
Patrick Degryse
Thomas J. Derrick
Chloë N. Duckworth
Jane Evans
Robin Fleming
Christopher Green
David J. Mattingly
Beth Munro
Alessandra Pecci
J. Theodore Peña
Matthew J. Ponting
Erja Salmenkivi
Alessandro Sebastiani
Ellen Swift
Astrid Van Oyen
John Peter Wild
Andrew Wilson

Recycling and Reuse in the Roman Economy

Edited by Chloë N. Duckworth and Andrew Wilson

Oxford Studies on the Roman Economy

Reviews and Awards

"The present volume brilliantly succeeds in its chosen aims of summarizing the—often very innovative and eye-opening—newest research and pointing out new research possibilities, and will surely become a starting point for future research." -- Stefanie Hoss, University of Cologne, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"...this is an excellent book. The ideas are valuable, and it is well written, thoroughly illustrated, and beautifully produced. It will provide a better understanding of the ancient world to both specialist and general readers, particularly those with interests in technology, economy, and the essential aspects of Roman life that remain undervalued and understudied..." -- Allison L. C. Emmerson, Technology and Culture