This study comprises analysis of geological, geomorphological constraints that played role in the site selection of caravanserais. In order to do this, 15 caravanserais located along a route from NevSehir-Aksaray-Konya to BeySehir were used. The data used in the study include a caravanserai database, lithological maps, and digital elevation model of the area. GIS analyses performed in the study are proximity, visibility, and probability distribution (PDA). The first step is the generation of the ancient trade route which is used as a reference in other analysis. Results of the analysis indicate that the average distance between consequent caravanserais is 10 km. PDA suggests that there should be two more caravanserais between BeySehir - Yunuslar and one caravanserai between Obruk - Sulatnahani hans. Caravanserais are very close to a water source but not at their immediate vicinity. Groundwater is not considered in this study / dominant water sources are streams, springs and lakes. Their visibility tested in an area of 78 km2 shows a great variation suggesting that visibility is not considered during the site selection. Ignimbrite, limestone and marble are preferred rocks types although other rocks such as clastic rocks are exposed in closer distances.

Thesis (MPhil (Ancient Studies)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / The geographical location of Punt has been the subject of much scholarly controversy for years. Numerous locations have been provided, favouring either regions in southern Arabia or East Africa. The latter being the more accepted theory in this case. Locating the region of Punt is linked to the foreign trade relations of Egypt during the Dynastic period. The practices that governed the Egyptian economy and thus its trade relations are studied, along with textual translations and visual sources in order to determine the kind of contact Egypt had with Punt, the trade relations between these two regions and the commodities they traded. These things determine the landscape that Puntites traversed, providing a profile of their habitat, the people that lived in it and thus a possible location for the region, which is believed to encompass the Gash Delta, on the borders of modern day Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan.

This thesis is a comprehensive investigation of the transport containers produced in Roman Sicily over a chronological period composed of five phases: Early Roman period (30 BC–AD 100); Middle Roman period (AD 100–300); Late Roman period (AD 300–440); Vandal Perios (AD 440/535) and Early Byzantine period (AD 536/600). The research investigates the production and transportation of Sicilian foodstuffs (especially wine) from the major ports of the island to Mediterranean ports and northern Europe. The results demonstrate the wide distribution of Sicilian amphorae and their important role within the wider economy of the Roman Empire. The importance of this research lies in the fact that, despite the agricultural prosperity of Sicily in the Roman Period and its strategic topographical position, transport amphorae remain understudied especially in economic terms. In regards to typology, chronology and distribution, our current knowledge of regional containers has not reached a level comparable to that of amphorae manufactured in other territories. The key discussion focuses on the commercial dynamics of Roman Sicilian amphorae from local, regional and Mediterranean-wide perspectives. The research aims to outline the distribution trends of Sicilian amphorae, looking at the different relative quantities of each amphora type and consequently the extent to which they are present in regions inside and outside Sicily, while considering presences and absences within the more general and homogeneous context of the Mediterranean basin. The organisation of Sicilian amphora production is also tackled through the presentation of probable production sites and excavated kilns. Using these examples, the study investigates the management of production of these containers on the island. The initial data obtained by this research represents a first step in determining differences between Sicilian amphorae workshops producing amphorae — therefore trading wine — for Mediterranean export and manufacturing sites specializing in local/regional trade. Other key achievements include the creation of a new illustrated typology with profile drawings of all the amphora forms and a summary and catalogue of Sicilian amphorae fabrics. In the thesis, the results of archaeometric analysis (thin-sections) carried out on more than 120 Sicilian amphora samples, provided by numerous institutions in Sicily and abroad, are presented. These results add significantly to our knowledge of the fabric composition, manufacture technology, origin and consequently movement of these amphorae around the Mediterranean over six centuries. More generally the research shows that the study of Sicilian material culture along with archaeological evidence is essential for recording the economic dynamics of Sicily, with the intent of dispelling the stereotype that Sicily's primary role was as a grain supplier to Rome. Besides grain — widely produced and exported throughout the imperial period, as attested by ancient sources and inscriptions — the archaeological evidence clearly indicates the export of foodstuffs, especially wine, at an inter-provincial level from the 1^st until the second half of the 6^th century AD.

Ce mémoire espère expérimenter l’application de la Nouvelle Économie Institutionnelle (NEI) en questionnant les éléments ayant favorisé le développement de l’économie viticole à l’époque romaine dans la région du Rhône. Pour y parvenir, cette recherche s’attarde sur trois axes ayant joué un rôle important dans le développement du commerce du vin dans le Rhône, mais aussi dans d’autres régions du bassin méditerranéen. Premièrement, il sera question de montrer comment l’environnement et le climat du Rhône ont influencé le développement de différents types de cultures de la vigne pour ensuite évaluer la valeur économique de chacune d’elles. Les hypothèses et conclusions de cette première partie émanent principalement d’une lecture des agronomes anciens (Caton l’Ancien, Pline le Jeune, Varron, Columelle et Palladius) faite en parallèle des plus récents développements en histoire climatique. Deuxièmement, cette recherche s’attarde sur la question des opérations relatives à la fabrication et à la distribution du vin. Après avoir pris en considération les enjeux du déplacement et de mise en marché, nous nous risquons à proposer un cadre d’analyse issu de la recherche en entreprise faite dans les années 1960 : la matrice d’Ansoff. Troisièmement, la dernière section de ce mémoire s’oriente sur le rôle du développement de la science juridique à Rome en interrogeant les impacts des institutions légales sur le commerce du vin. Une étude de cas consacrée à la place de l’armée romaine reliant ces trois axes fait office de courte synthèse. Dans son ensemble, ce travail espère pouvoir montrer les bases d’une analyse de marché dans l’Antiquité, et ce, malgré les nombreux enjeux méthodologiques propres à l’économie ancienne. / This thesis hopes to experiment with the use of New Institutional Economy (NIE) by exploring the factors that contributed to the development of the wine economy in the Rhône region in Roman times. To achieve this goal, this research will focus on three axes that played an important role in the development of the wine trade in the Rhône, but also in other regions of the Mediterranean region. Firstly, it will show how the Rhône's environment and climate have influenced the development of different types of viticulture, and then examine the economic value of each. The hypotheses and conclusions of this first section are mainly based on a reading of ancient agronomists (Cato the Elder, Pliny the Younger, Varron, Columella and Palladius) alongside the most recent developments in climatic history. Secondly, this research focuses on the operations involved in making and selling wine. After considering the issues of displacement and commercialisation, we risk proposing an analytical framework derived from business research carried out in the 1960s: the Ansoff matrix. Thirdly, the final pages of this dissertation focus on the role of the development of legal science in Rome, questioning the impact of legal institutions on the wine industry. A case study devoted to the role of the Roman army connects these three axes and serves as a synthesis. Overall, this work hopes to demonstrate the foundations of market analysis in antiquity, despite the multiple methodological challenges specific to ancient economics.