#MAREMonday 03

On 01.03.2021 we present the third session of our online lecture series with a contribution by

Marie Pawlowicz
(Aix-Marseille Université)

New research on the so-called ‘Harbour horn’: focus on one of the port sectors of Massilia during the early Roman Empire

Abstract:

The integration of Marseille into the Roman Empire and its trade routes certainly impacted and modified the role of Marseille as a key port in the Mediterranean trading system. Therefore, we can observe evidences of extensive port redevelopments during the Roman time. The first port sector expolored is the one called the « Harbour Horn » (the archaeological site of « la Bourse ») that was excavated between 1968 and 1984. The major development phases of the area are known from the construction of the quays, which began toward the end of the 1st c. AD and continued to the 7th c., when the harbor basin was backfilled. Exploitation of the various archaeological data sets has never been exhaustive so that the various modifications and transformations of the “antique port” have never been fully understood. This work was started 2 years ago as part of doctoral research.

In order to access the most global perspective, I have investigated from three major research themes: an architectural vantage, a reinterpretation of the stratigraphic record and concomitant an analyze of material culture. My focus has been on historic data, gathered from excavation archives (journals, plans, sections, sketches, photographs) and ceramic objects gathered in the harbor basin. A recent geomorphological study and geophysical prospecting made it possible reference these data with current data.

This presentation will focus on the early Roman Empire period, on two specific points. First, the construction phase of the quays using stone blocks in a process which is more complex than it is generally presented in the publications. Originally dated at the end of the 1st c. AD, the analysis of chronological data tends to give a slightly more recent date. Second, we will present an overview of the different work activities engaged in this sector and how these correlate with the city’s commercial relations as considered through the ceramic record and other material.