From central places to network-centrality?

Author(s): Ulrich Müller

Year: 2013

Summary

Networks are fashionable in contemporary archaeology, but what causes this fascination with network theory in medieval and post-medieval archaeology? This paper will briefly explain the state of current historical archaeology research in Germany, with a focus on how network theories can be profitably used. In particular, the connections between "Zentralorttheorie" and network theory will discussed. Networks detect interactions, and central places can be described as "density centers" (e.g. complexes of interactions). The theories and their application will be considered through a case study investigating the relations between medieval cities and their hinterlands around the southern rim of the Baltic Sea.

Cite this Record

From central places to network-centrality?. Ulrich Müller. Presented at Society for Historical Archaeology, Leicester, England, U.K. 2013 ( tDAR id: 428213)

Keywords

General
Central Place Theory Debate networks

Geographic Keywords
Germany Western Europe

Temporal Keywords
Medieval, Early Modern

Spatial Coverage

min long: 5.865; min lat: 47.275 ; max long: 15.034; max lat: 55.057 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 366