Defend Your Coast: GIS Network Analysis of Crusader Fortifications Within the Kyrenia Region of Cyprus

Summary

The rise of the Arabic Caliphates in the Levant and the subsequent dominance of the Mediterranean Sea by their fleets led to large scale construction of fortifications on Cyprus. Alexius I, ruler of the Byzantine Empire, constructed numerous fortifications in the Kyrenia region of Cyprus to secure the natural resources and coastline from Arabic incursions. These fortifications along the mountain ranges and ports acted as lookout positions and walled areas people could retreat to in times of a raid. Using Network Analysis, a tool used by transportation departments in GIS, this presentation seeks to connect the fortifications, villages, and roads in the Crusader Era to determine the response times local garrisons had to raids. The distance at which a raiding party can be spotted from these fortifications will also be calculated. This analysis will incorporate archaeological surveys conducted in the Kyrenia Region. 

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Paper / Report Submission (General Sessions) 2018   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2018

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 875