Between a Rut and a Hard Place:

A case study in Roman road construction and use from Gallo-Roman Burgundy

a talk by David Picker-Kille

• Brief Summary

Contextualizing the findings of his 2016 undergraduate thesis with more recent archaeological research of the surrounding region, David Picker-Kille proposes that the segment of an ancient roadway running along the cliffs above the small town of Nolay, France, belongs to part of the early imperial Roman road network in Gaul. Thanks to the assortment of uncommon characteristics defining its construction, topography, and wear, we are then able to consider the implications of the coincidence of such features on the history and usage of the road throughout, and beyond, the imperial era. The results of this analysis ultimately shed new light on old questions and traditional assumptions about the construction, management, use, and efficiency of roadways in the wider Roman world.

This presentation will take place via Zoom, and will be followed by a Q&A session. Attendees will receive a link by email after registration, and on the day of the talk. The meeting room will open to the public at 7:15pm with the talk starting at 7:30pm.