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Papers by Iza Romanowska

Theoretical Roman Archaeology Journal , 2019

Complexity science refers to the theoretical research perspectives and the formal modelling tools... more Complexity science refers to the theoretical research perspectives and the formal modelling tools designed to study complex systems. A complex system consists of separate entities interacting following a set of (often simple) rules that collectively give rise to unexpected patterns featuring vastly different properties than the entities that produced them. In recent years a number of case studies have shown that such approaches have great potential for furthering our understanding of the past phenomena explored in Roman Studies. We argue complexity science and formal modelling have great potential for Roman Studies by offering four key advantages: (1) the ability to deal with emergent properties in complex Roman systems ; (2) the means to formally specify theories about past Roman phenomena; (3) the power to test aspects of these theories as hypotheses using formal modelling approaches; and (4) the capacity to do all of this in a transparent, reproducible, and cumulative scientific framework. We present a ten-point manifesto that articulates arguments for the more common use in Roman Studies of perspectives, concepts and tools from the broader field of complexity science, which are complementary to empirical inductive approaches. There will be a need for constant constructive collaboration between Romanists with diverse fields of expertise in order to usefully embed complexity science and formal modelling in Roman Studies.

Advances in Archaeological Practice 7 (2): 178-184, 2019

Formal models of past human societies informed by archaeological research have a high potential f... more Formal models of past human societies informed by archaeological research have a high potential for shaping some of the most topical current debates. Agent-based models, which emphasize how actions by individuals combine to produce global patterns, provide a convenient framework for developing quantitative models of historical social processes. However, being derived from computer science, the method remains largely specialized in archaeology. In this paper and the associated tutorial, we provide a jargon-free introduction to the technique, its potential and limits as well as its diverse applications in archaeology and beyond. We discuss the epistemological rationale of using computational modeling and simulation, classify types of models, and give an overview of the main concepts behind agent-based modeling. Modelos cuantitativos robustos de sociedades humanas en el pasado tienen el potencial de informar los temas de debate actual, parti-cularmente modelos informados por estudios de arqueología. Modelos basados en sistemas multiagente proveen un marco práctico para explorar modelos cuantitativos de sociedades en el pasado. Aun así, al ser un método de informática no es aún bien establecido entre la mayoría de arqueólogos. En este artículo y el tutorial que lo acompaña, proveemos una introducción a estos métodos, libres de jerga técnica, su potencial y sus límites, y también las diversas aplicaciones en arqueología. Además, discutimos la epistemología de utilizar modelos computacionales y de simulación, clasificamos los tipos de modelos, y proveemos un resumen de los conceptos principales de los modelos multiagente. Palabras clave: Q2

"Quantifying Ancient Economies. Problems and Methodologies", edited by Jose Remesal Rodriguez, Victor Revilla Calvo, and Juan Manuel Bermudez Lorenzo, Instrument, 107–18. Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona Edicions., 2018

The grand ambition of most of the research concerning the Roman trade system, or indeed any trade... more The grand ambition of most of the research concerning the Roman trade system, or indeed any trade system, is to identify what economic processes are at play and whether they can be reconstructed from the collected data. Compared to their counterparts studying modern economics archaeologists and ancient historians face an additional double hurdle of the incompleteness of the data and the uncertainty regarding the suitability of any one type of archaeological material as a proxy for the ancient economic processes. Here, we demonstrate how to overcome these limitations by using a formal computational method enabling researchers to match patterns detected in data to particular economic processes.

Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology, 2019

With the proliferation of online learning, the future of classroom teaching has been called into ... more With the proliferation of online learning, the future of classroom teaching has been called into question. However, the unfaltering popularity of brick-and-mortar courses indicates that direct access to expert knowledge and face-to-face engagements remain key considerations for students. Here we showcase a combination of these two worlds in a Small Private Online Course (SPOC). Compared to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), SPOCs are developed for smaller and more dedicated target groups and depend on close engagement between teachers and students. This format enables educational providers to involve internal and external students and teachers alike and to make ample use of online resources. This paper is based upon our experiences of running a SPOC on ‘Modelling and Simulation in Archaeology’ at Leiden University. We review the process of developing and running the course aimed at teaching archaeology students computer programming skills, while supporting their development as professional archaeologists and responsible academics.

Comb cut from multiple pieces of deer antler and assembled with iron rivets. The word 'comb' is c... more Comb cut from multiple pieces of deer antler and assembled with iron rivets. The word 'comb' is carved onto the surface in the Viking runic alphabet (copyright: Museum of Southwest Jutland); Segmented glass beads found in Ribe (copyright: The Museum of Southwest Jutland); Glass vessel sherds, beads and other finds from Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar (copyright: Jason Hawkes).

Agent-based modeling (ABM) is a powerful tool for understanding the dynamics of past social syste... more Agent-based modeling (ABM) is a powerful tool for understanding the dynamics of past social systems. Drawing on a survey of self-identified agent-based modelers in archaeology, we describe this community of practice in terms of gender, education, employment, and research practices, highlighting similarities with, and distinctions from, the community of archaeologists at large. From the findings of the survey, we argue that more engagement with questions of practice within the modeling community, and more intra-disciplinary development of ABM teaching resources, may help to mainstream model thinking and reduce barriers to ABM use in archaeology.

With the current surge of simulation studies in archaeology there is a growing concern for the la... more With the current surge of simulation studies in archaeology there is a growing concern for the lack of engagement and feedback between modellers and domain specialists. To facilitate this dialogue I present a compact guide to the simulation modelling process applied to a common research topic and the focus of this special issue of Human Biology—human dispersals. The process of developing a simulation is divided into nine steps grouped in three phases. The conceptual phase consists of identifying research questions (step 1) and finding the most suitable method (step 2), designing the general framework and the resolution of the simulation (step 3) and then by filling in that framework with the modelled entities and the rules of interactions (step 4). This is followed by the technical phase of coding and testing (step 5), parameterising the simulation (step 6) and running it (step 7). In the final phase the results of the simulation are analysed and re-contextualised (step 8) and the findings of the model are disseminated in publications and code repositories (step 9). Each step will be defined and characterised and then illustrated with examples of published human dispersals simulation studies. While not aiming to be a comprehensive textbook- style guide to simulation, this overview of the process of modelling human dispersals should arm any non-modeller with enough understanding to evaluate the quality, strengths and weaknesses of any particular archaeological simulation and provide a starting point for further exploration of this common scientific tool.

CAA2013 Proceedings of the 41th Conference in Computer Applications and Quanti- tative Methods in Archaeology, Peerth, Australia, 25-28 March 2013, Jun 1, 2014

SHEEP (Simulating Hominin Expansion in the Early Pleistocene) is an Agent-based model (ABM) of th... more SHEEP (Simulating Hominin Expansion in the Early Pleistocene) is an Agent-based model (ABM) of the first Out of Africa, designed to explore the spatial pattern of Lower Palaeolithic site distribution in Europe. The SHEEP model uses a deterministic environmental approach to evaluate potential routes into Europe and their impact on the pattern of site distribution in the eastern and western parts of the continent. The model consists of three main elements: 1) population growth, 2) a spatial spreading process and 3) the friction map, which includes both environmental and topographic information. The impact of different geographical projections on the outcome of the model has been evaluated. The results show that we are unable to reproduce the observed spatial pattern of European sites from differences in dispersal routes. This case study showcases the use of ABM as a simple and efficient tool for hypotheses testing with a high potential for archaeological applications.

The pattern of spatial distribution of Lower Palaeolithic (LP) sites east of the Rhine is peculia... more The pattern of spatial distribution of Lower Palaeolithic (LP) sites east of the Rhine is peculiar. The sites are rare; they do not come in clusters, and they do not seem to be associated with ancient river terraces. This is a robust pattern that has been recognized but not addressed as a distinct research topic so far. It may represent either a real past phenomenon such as climate variability, different dispersal routes ‘out of Africa’ or simply reflects modern research bias. A new alternative is suggested here based on recent developments in geological mapping. It is argued that uninterrupted mantel of glacial derived silt (loess) sealing interglacial soil levels may be covering traces of Lower Palaeolithic human activity at significant depths throughout most of Central and Eastern Europe.

Talks by Iza Romanowska

Agent-based modelling (ABM) has taken by storm disciplines from all corners of the scientific spe... more Agent-based modelling (ABM) has taken by storm disciplines from all corners of the scientific spectrum, from ecology to transport and social sciences and it is becoming increasingly popular in archaeology. Now it is your turn to give it go! Learn how to use the simulation software and explore how this popular complexity science technique can complement your research. This two-day workshop will provide an introduction to ABM using NetLogo - an open-source platform for building agent-based models, which combines user-friendly interface, simple coding language and a vast library of model examples, making it an ideal starting point for entry-level agent-based modellers, as well as a useful prototyping tool for more experienced programmers.

A series of presentations (Amsterdam, Oxford, Tübingen) on the methodology of simulation.

A lunch-time seminar, University of Leiden. October 2015

A series of presentations (Barcelona, Burgos, Brighton, Oxford, Paris) 2014-2015.

A short talk at University of Southampton (2012) summarising the use of mathematical approaches i... more A short talk at University of Southampton (2012) summarising the use of mathematical approaches in modelling human dispersal. Largely based on Steele (2009).

The First Out of Africa: an Agent Based Model of the earliest hominid dispersal The study of ear... more The First Out of Africa: an Agent Based Model of the earliest hominid dispersal

The study of early hominid dispersals is a complex academic issue integrating data from several very different disciplines: archaeology, anthropology, paleozoology, palaeoclimate studies and genetics. The aim of this paper is to show the potential of Agent Based Modelling (ABM) to integrate this data into one coherent framework while providing a unique platform for testing large scale hypothesis.

The current methodology for the study of dispersals is largely based on qualitative considerations. I would argue that a more quantitative approach integrating simulation with geographical methods could be more fruitful and bring new answers to old questions.

In order to test these assumptions a simple ABM model of the first Out of Africa has been developed using the popular modelling software NetLogo. The availability of different routes into Europe was the sole variable in this model. Yet, it proved useful to answer the following research question: is the lack of Lower Palaeolithic sites in Central and Eastern Europe a reflection of the dispersal routes? As a by-product of the model several unanticipated patterns emerged, showing the potential of ABM for studying early human dispersal.

A new alternative is suggested here based on recent developments in geological mapping. It will be argued that an uninterrupted mantel of glacial derived silt (loess) sealing interglacial soil levels may be covering traces of Lower Palaeolithic human activity at significant depths throughout most of Central and Eastern Europe.

Agent Based Modelling (ABM) provides us with a unique platform for testing large scale hypothese... more Agent Based Modelling (ABM) provides us with a unique platform for testing large scale hypotheses. It is particularly effective when dealing with the concept of movement, be it human expansion into new lands, cultural transmission over vast distances or animal migration. Low density of Lower Palaeolithic finds in Central and Eastern Europe has been repeatedly attributed to particular dispersal routes and environmental impact. Creating a NetLogo ABM model of this process can assist in verifying this observation and revealing the pattern of the first human dispersal under constantly changing conditions of palaeoclimatic cycles. It also allows to address several methodological issues related to modelling dispersals in general, especially the application of the basic Fisher-KPP reaction-diffusion system and other mathematical models commonly used to replicate large scale human movements.

Theoretical Roman Archaeology Journal , 2019

Advances in Archaeological Practice 7 (2): 178-184, 2019

Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology, 2019

CAA2013 Proceedings of the 41th Conference in Computer Applications and Quanti- tative Methods in Archaeology, Peerth, Australia, 25-28 March 2013, Jun 1, 2014

A series of presentations (Amsterdam, Oxford, Tübingen) on the methodology of simulation.

A lunch-time seminar, University of Leiden. October 2015

A series of presentations (Barcelona, Burgos, Brighton, Oxford, Paris) 2014-2015.

The First Out of Africa: an Agent Based Model of the earliest hominid dispersal The study of ear... more The First Out of Africa: an Agent Based Model of the earliest hominid dispersal

To fully understand not only the past, but also the trajectories, of human societies, we need a m... more To fully understand not only the past, but also the trajectories, of human societies, we need a more dynamic view of human social systems. Agent-based modeling (ABM), which can create fine-scale models of behavior over time and space, may reveal important, general patterns of human activity. Agent-Based Modeling for Archaeology is the first ABM textbook designed for researchers studying the human past. Appropriate for scholars from archaeology, the digital humanities, and other social sciences, this book offers novices and more experienced ABM researchers a modular approach to learning ABM and using it effectively.

Readers will find the necessary background, discussion of modeling techniques and traps, references, and algorithms to use ABM in their own work. They will also find engaging examples of how other scholars have applied ABM, ranging from the study of the intercontinental migration pathways of early hominins, to the weather–crop–population cycles of the American Southwest, to the trade networks of Ancient Rome. This textbook provides the foundations needed to simulate the complexity of past human societies, offering researchers a richer understanding of the past—and likely future—of our species.

The present volume consists of the peer-reviewed papers presented at the CAA2011 conference held ... more The present volume consists of the peer-reviewed papers presented at the CAA2011 conference held in Beijing, China between April 12 and 16, 2011. The theme of this conference was "Revive the Past", which means retrieving our history and using it to help create a new civilization. It was a great honour to organize the conference where over 130 researchers made presentations; ten keynote speeches were given; and sixteen sessions covered a wide variety of topics: data acquisition and recording, conceptual modelling, data analysis, data management, digging with words, 3D models, visualizing heritage sites, digital spaces for archaeology, geophysics, GIS, graphics in archaeology, visualisation in archaeology, semantic technologies, spatial prediction, visualization and exhibition, and 3D object reconstruction. In addition, student papers and posters were presented. We held two successful As organizers, we want to thank the CAA Steering Committee for their great support and help. We would like to express our special thanks to Prof. Bernard Frischer for his consistent support and kind help. We express our deep gratitude to all participants and delegates for their contributions. We appreciate the generous support given by local institutions in Beijing, and we single out for special praise all of our volunteers for their hard work on behalf of the conference. CAA2011 has passed into history but we hope Beijing will remain in the hearts of all the participants, especially those from abroad. May the events, people, and friendships made at the conference long remain in our memory!

A comprehensive list of literature on Agent Based Models (ABM) in Archaeology. Maintained in @ Gi... more A comprehensive list of literature on Agent Based Models (ABM) in Archaeology. Maintained in @ GitHub. Join us and add resources you miss.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021

Past peoples left behind preciously little for us to reconstruct their daily lives and histories.... more Past peoples left behind preciously little for us to reconstruct their daily lives and histories. However, some types of archaeological material stand the test of time better than others thanks to their durability and ubiquity, and foremost among them: the ceramic evidence. Pottery often serves as a proxy for the reconstruction of a variety of aspects of a past life: the wealth of city inhabitants, the function of spaces (Smith, 1987), cultural transmission between craftsmen (Coto-Sarmiento et al., 2018) or trading interactions (Brughmans and Poblome, 2016). However, to take full advantage of the wealth of information that can be derived from pottery evidence it is essential to use robust analytic methods establishing the full distribution in ceramic use and discard and its evolution over time.

Here, we present a comprehensive data analysis of ceramic material coming from the Northwest Quarter of Jerash, present-day Jordan. It is one of the first examples of full quantification of an archaeological site of this age in the region. More than 625 000 pieces of pottery have been collected, recorded and analysed. We describe the process of data preparation, cleaning, exploratory analysis and statistical examination as well as visual-isation. All steps of data analysis have been undertaken in the Python scripting environment making the process entirely transparent, reproducible and reusable for other researchers. We showcase how full quantification combined with quantitative analysis can lead to detection of significant trends in pottery evolution over centuries and enable robust comparative studies in the region and beyond.