IntranetJana Škundrić studied Classical Archaeology at the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade, Serbia. Long time involving in archaeological research at the Late Antique Imperial palace of Felix Romuliana (E. Serbia) resulted with current doctoral fellowship in Topoi Cluster. A key area of present research is the extent to which cultural and political systems within the Late Roman Empire, as well as shifts in economic power and the attraction of local elites, influenced the setting of the palace and the range of scale and function in which it could play a role as a Central place.
The Palace Tomb in Petra, Jordan
Photo: Bernard Gagnon
In the later 1st century BC and in the 1st century AD, monumental architecture changed the appearance of the Nabataean capital Petra (Jordan) fundamentally. In this connection, one can speak of clear interventions in the shaping of the natural space. Some of the questions investigated will be the degree to which Petra was Connection consciously built up to become a new central site and what forms were thereby applied. Here, one emphasis will be on evaluating the effects of Petra’s expansion on the surrounding ecosystem. The project supplements a joint German-French project investigating early Nabataean settlement in the region.
Research Results
- The city’s origin and development was no continuous process. In the beginnings Petra grew continuously but slowly. But then, during the second half of the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, there was a strong development.
- The king’s residence was built on top of the city’s highest mountain. This was necessary for the strategically extremely important communication with the surroundings.
- Agriculture (terraces) in the Petra region probably was established in the 1st century AD and at least lasted until the 8th century AD.