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Cited by 3Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and HistoryMaritime and Coastal ArchaeologyArchaeological Research and Protection

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Landscapes of (dis)connection: Modelling connectivity in west Samos with least cost path analysis

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Loy, Michael·2025·Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
DOI 10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105144
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Abstract

This study explores connectivity in west Samos, an island whose landscape was defined by steep topography and which was largely inaccessibly by sea in the winter months. The first part of this paper reviews bibliographic, cartographic, ethnographic and archaeological evidence for terrestrial connectivity, while the second applies least cost path analysis to investigate possible routes between five key sites in southwest Samos to five key sites in the northwest. The GIS-rendered routes are compared to the field data to further explore the finer details of pathfinding and environment. All data types indicate the importance of route-making along two major river courses, the Megalo Rema and the Fourniotiko. Early Modern travelogues, ethnographic interviews, and maps all highlight the importance of seasonal waterways for cutting through areas of steep slope gradient. Both in exploratory hikes taken by the author and in GIS modelling, the Megalo Rema is deemed to be the more effective waterway for connecting south to north, while the construction of the island’s modern road network largely deviates from the calculated least cost routes. Anisotropic modelling is also employed to estimate travel times along the least cost paths. It is suggested that a return journey by foot or donkey is possible between the two sides of the island in one day, but that travel by loaded cart would have been impractical in most situations. These findings contribute to broader debates on island connectivity in the Aegean, emphasising the role of terrestrial pathways in supplementing maritime networks.

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Metadata

Authors
Loy, M.
Affiliations
Durham University (GB)
Corresponding author
Loy, Michael
Venue
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2025-06
Volume
64
Pages
105144
ISSN
2352-409X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105144
OpenAlex
W4409441541
Cited by
3
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2
FWCI
7.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Archaeological Science Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • SSRN Electronic Journal (submittedVersion)
  • Durham Research Online (Durham University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Leverhulme Trust (ECF-2022-015)
  • University of Cambridge
  • Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women
  • British Academy
  • British School at Athens
  • Rust Family Foundation
  • Universität Wien
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology (arts and humanities) › Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology (arts and humanities) › Maritime and Coastal Archaeology
  • Social Sciences › Archeology › Archaeological Research and Protection
Keywords
island connectivity, least-cost path analysis, river course, steep topography, travel time estimation, road network, ethnographic evidence, maritime networks, Aegean islands

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