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Abstract: Over the last two decades, research on Roman period (1st century BC
to 4th century AD) pastoralism in the Crau plain in Southern France has focused on modes of
transhumance. These discussions have not addressed broader questions about the nature and
scale of the pastoral economy, which was centered on wool production. This study examines
groups of large sheepfolds dotting the plain ... read moreand uses calculations based on ancient and
modern comparative data to show that the plain's wool industry was quite large. During its
period of peak activity in the 1st century AD, the plain's 50,000 hectares contained 17,000
to 60,000 sheep spread among 225 to 300 sheepfolds. These were capable of producing 18,000
to 400,000 tunics per year, depending on garment size and the intensity of production.
Contrary to earlier assumptions, the plain was far from desolate and instead was a vibrant
and critical element of the regional economy.
Thesis (M.A.)--Tufts University, 2012.
Submitted to the Dept. of Classics.
Advisor: R. Hitchner.
Committee: J. Harrington, and Benjamin Vining.
Keywords: Archaeology, and Classical studies.read less
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