Defend Your Coast: Network Analysis of Crusader Fortifications and Settlements in the Kyrenia Region of Cyprus

Summary

This is a paper/report submission presented at the 2020 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

The Mediterranean island of Cyprus is situated at the crossroads of the Near East and the Aegean Civilizations. During the Middle Ages, Cyprus experienced raids that would devastate the coastal landscape. Coastal towns and villages were destroyed, and many of them never rebuilt. Fortifications were constructed to defend the coastline from raiders and potential invaders. Scholars believe that during times of heavy raiding coastal settlements are abandoned in favor of inland settlements. This study tested theory using Geographic Information System (GIS) to examine the area of influence raiders could exert inland during a raid. Based on past research the extent of influence was determined to be 3000 m inland. The Network Analyst tool and a hiking calculator were used to determine the shortest routes and the amount of time raiders and defenders took to reach undefended villages and churches along the northern coast of Cyprus.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• 2020 SHA General Sessions   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2020

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 323