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Papers by Adam Pažout

ARAM, 2024

Excavations were conducted in February-April and November 2019 at the site of 'Uyun Umm el-' Azam... more Excavations were conducted in February-April and November 2019 at the site of 'Uyun Umm el-' Azam West, ea. 3.8 km south of Sussita-Antiochia Hippos, in the southern Golan Heights and overlooking the Sea of Galilee. These excavations were undertaken on behalf of the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa, in the context of the Hippos Regional Project, which focuses on the study of rural sites and fortifications in the territory of Antiochia Hippos from the Hellenistic through to the Byzantine period.' Several building phases in the complex were uncovered. They included a tower, inner courtyard, and a room.
The mixed Early Roman material found in the foundations of the tower might suggest an earlier date for its construction, with the tower completely rebuilt in the Byzantine period.
The room known as 'The Mosaic Room' was divided, probably by a partition wall, as indicated by the gap in the mosaic running across the room. A set of rooms was built on the eastern side of the inner courtyard and against the tower including a large oven.
This paper focuses on the Christian Palestinian Aramaic mosaic inscription from 'Uyun Umm el-'Azam West dedicated by a deaconess Thekla, its parallels, and its contribution to a better understanding of the ethnic and religious diversity in the Hippos territorium in the southern Levant and its environmental interactions.

Limes XXIIII. Proceedings of the 24 th International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies, Serbia 2018, 2024

New research on ancient roads in Gaulanitis and in the territory of Antiochia Hippos was prompted... more New research on ancient roads in Gaulanitis and in the territory of Antiochia Hippos was prompted by re-discovery of undocumented road segment at the bottom of modern water reservoir. The questions that are dealt with in the article are a) how to distinguish Roman from other ancient roads; b) what is the westward continuation of the known segment of the Roman road; and c) whether anepigraphic/illegible milestones can help us establish the date of the road. The research was undertaken in three phases: 1) GIS analysis locating optimal routes in the region using cumulative focal mobility network analysis. The results are used in concordance with historical maps as a tool for field survey evaluating westward continuation of the known Roman road. 2) Survey of the physical remains of the various stretches of the ancient roads focusing on the physical characteristics of the roads (construction methods, dimensions etc.). Three presumably pre-modern roads were surveyed. 3) Metrological study of the Judaean and Golan milestones. This may clarify the dating of anepigraphic milestones and thus allow dating of the road system as well. The westward continuation of the Roman road is to be sought on the northwestern side of the Lawiye ridge, which stands out as principal ascent in the region. The Roman road could be clearly distinguished from other "old" roads in the area, which are tentatively dated to Medieval/Modern period. The metrological study of the milestones did not yield conclusive results due to deficiencies in milestone data.

Elsevier eBooks, 2023

The entry provides an overview of the evidence for the development and variety of roads from preh... more The entry provides an overview of the evidence for the development and variety of roads from prehistory to the Medieval period, with special attention to the Ancient Near East and the Roman world. Research methodologies related to the identification and study of the physical remains of roads are discussed, as well as spatial and network analyses and their application to study roads and transport networks. The contribution of linked open data and gazetteers is highlighted as possible future directions in road network research.

14 Abstrakt Tato práce se snaží zodpovědět otázky týkající se funkce raně římských fortifikací, k... more 14 Abstrakt Tato práce se snaží zodpovědět otázky týkající se funkce raně římských fortifikací, které byly v minulých desetiletích zkoumány v regionu severního Negevu, tedy v údolí Nahal Beersheva mezi dnešními městy Arad a Beerševa. V minulosti byly navrhovány různé, často protichůdné, interpretace, a tudíž se autor pokouší podívat se na problematiku z jiného pohledu a využívat GIS nástroje pro prostorovou analýzu zkoumající vztah mezi fortifikacemi a sídlišti v kategoriích vzájemné viditelnosti (kvůli případnému použití signalizace a kontroly) a vztahu k silničnímu systému. Navíc, raně římská Judea byla nestabilní zemí s endemickým výskytem banditismu a je možné se proto domnívat, že armáda reagovala na tato nebezpečí. Výsledky analýz, viewshed - viditelnosti a least-cost path - rekonstrukce silničního systému, nám dovolují rozdělit region do dvou zón. V první zóně je většina pevností navzájem viditelných a navíc kontrolují i sídliště a cesty; zatímco ve druhé zóně spolu fortifika...

This thesis deals mainly with building program of the Judaean king Herod the Great as a whole. Th... more This thesis deals mainly with building program of the Judaean king Herod the Great as a whole. The first part is centered on historical, cultural and social background of his life and rule especially on the state of Judaean society, divided into few religious sects, and his relationship to Rome on international level. Next chapter is concerned with description of numerous building projects according to archaeological and historical data. The results of this inquiry about character of the projects from architectural, functional and symbolic perspective and their relationship to domestic, Greek and Roman architectural traditions are then introduced to historical context and interpreted. Final chapters present Herod as striving to fullfil ideals of Hellenistic and Jewish kingship for legitimation of his claim to throne, to win his Roman patrons over, to secure peace and prosperity of his country, as much as for self- presentation and preservations of himself. Keywords Herod, archaeolog...

Univerzita Karlova, Filozofická fakulta, Sep 13, 2012

Deep political and cultural connections which Herod had to Rome and to Augustus stemmed from his ... more Deep political and cultural connections which Herod had to Rome and to Augustus stemmed from his posi‐ tion of a client king of the Romans. This clientship was based on personal relation between both Herod and Augustus, and therefore we may draw parallels from patronus -cliens relationship known and documented from various ancient sources, and then interpret Herod’s building program. Reciprocal bonds were based on concepts of fides (loyalty, security) and pietas (piety). Augustus extended his benefactions on Herod on many occasions and Herod rewarded him in generous manner, emulating the typically Roman virtue of pietas in similar manner as Augustus did himself in Rome. Roman ‐type temples of Augustus in Judaea (Samaria ‐Sebaste, Caesarea, Paneas) are proofs of Herod’s ‘extension’ of Augustus’ cultural program. Further attestation of Herod’s pietas is fact, that it was Augustus’ genius that was venerated in temples dedicated to him. These beginnings of the imperial cult may be trace...

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2020

This paper aims to study interactions between ancient societies in semi-arid mountainous landscap... more This paper aims to study interactions between ancient societies in semi-arid mountainous landscape of southern Central Asia using GIS based mobility analysis. The study region covers the south-eastern part of Uzbekistan along with narrow strips of neighbouring countries with a core area around present-day Darband village in the Baysun District. The presented GIS model is based on cumulative focal mobility network (CFMN) analysis derived from freely available ASTER DEM. Basically, CFMN approach builds on the idea of “movement without destination”. Even if the model should be generally valid for any historical period, our primary targeted period was the early historic, particularly Achaemenid and Hellenistic ones, connected with movement of large armed forces over the mountains. The model was immediately tested in the field and adjusted according to the archaeological reality. Predicted paths were confirmed in the field by finds of various nature, such as small settlements and individ...

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021

Abstract In this article we present an attempt to reconstruct the agricultural, economic, and adm... more Abstract In this article we present an attempt to reconstruct the agricultural, economic, and administrative territory of the city of Hippos of the Decapolis from the Hellenistic to the Late Roman periods. The aim was to test models of development of territories proposed for Greek poleis and to apply approaches relating the site catchment and central place theory to the study of territoriality of Hellenistic and Roman cities in the southern Levant. The research methodology encompasses spatial analyses of the settlement patterns, using computation of travel times, average neighbour analysis and kernel density analysis, applied to archaeological heritage data. The archaeological data and geo-spatial analyses are supplemented with historical–geographical sources and new archaeological data and are incorporated into the local and regional context.

Journal of Landscape Ecology, 2017

Roman Imperial Roads (highways) built, maintained and organized by the Roman army and provincial ... more Roman Imperial Roads (highways) built, maintained and organized by the Roman army and provincial authorities were studied in the Golan Heights since Schumacher’s surveys in the 1880s. However, most of these were obliterated by building and agricultural activity since the beginning of the 20th century. Local ancient road system, linking individual communities and their agricultural land was never studied, since it barely leaves a trace in archaeological record. This paper presents reconstruction of inter-provincial highways passing through the southern Golan Heights, and local road system in GIS using cumulative focal mobility network (CFMN) analysis. The CFMN provides outline of natural corridors of movement in the region. From CFMN it is possible to extract path with higher mobility potential which will be tested against present evidence for Roman Imperial Highways, since it is assumed that corridors with high mobility potential would be suitable place for construction of (inter-)p...

Archaeopress Publishing Ltd eBooks, Jan 12, 2023

Tel Aviv, 2024

The Roman road that transverses the southern Golan is one of the best-preserved ancient roads in ... more The Roman road that transverses the southern Golan is one of the best-preserved ancient roads in the region. The present study provides new evidence regarding its route, its date of construction and abandonment, and its military-administrative and geospatial relationship with the surrounding landscape and settlements. The research combines diverse methodologies, including historical cartographic data, survey, excavation, a mobility model of the region and visibility predictive analysis for watchtower positions. The results suggest that the road was constructed in the second half of the 2nd century CE. A system of watchtowers existed along it, and it apparently did not serve as a vital artery between the nearby villages and the road itself.

Human History and Digital Future : Proceedings of the 46th Annual Conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology, 2023

The recent developments in the field of geospatial ‘free and open source software’ (F/OSS) are re... more The recent developments in the field of geospatial ‘free and open source software’ (F/OSS) are reflected in its more widespread use among archaeologist. The article presents practical application of one of these F/OSS programs, namely QField, for archaeologists. QField is mobile version of desktop GIS program QGIS, customized for Android platform. The salvage survey in the northern Israel at the site of Khirbet es-Swade/Ma’agar Snir and survey of Hellenistic and Roman fortifications in the southern Golan Heights provide case-studies for the utilization of the program. The program’s performance is evaluated with regard to 1) preparation and pre-processing of the data; 2) data collection and fieldwork; and 3) data export and post-processing.

Reference Module in Social Sciences, 2023

The entry provides an overview of the evidence for the development and variety of roads from preh... more The entry provides an overview of the evidence for the development and variety of roads from prehistory to the Medieval
period, with special attention to the Ancient Near East and the Roman world. Research methodologies related to the
identification and study of the physical remains of roads are discussed, as well as spatial and network analyses and their
application to study roads and transport networks. The contribution of linked open data and gazetteers is highlighted as
possible future directions in road network research.

Hadashot Arkheologiyot Excavations and Surveys in Israel, 2021

In October 2017, an excavation was conducted at the site of Maqbarat Majdulya as part of the Hipp... more In October 2017, an excavation was conducted at the site of Maqbarat Majdulya as part of the Hippos Regional Project, focusing on the study of rural sites and fortifications in the territory of Hippos from the Hellenistic to the Byzantine periods.

Hadashot Arkheologiyot Excavations and Surveys in Israel, 2021

Excavations were conducted at El-Qusayyiba (East) as part of the Hippos Regional Project, focusin... more Excavations were conducted at El-Qusayyiba (East) as part of the Hippos Regional Project, focusing on the study of rural sites and fortifications in the territory of Hippos from the Hellenistic to the Byzantine periods.

Hadashot Arkheologiyot Excavations and Surveys in Israel, 2021

Excavations were conducted at 'Uyun Umm el-'Azam (West) as part of the Hippos Regional Project, f... more Excavations were conducted at 'Uyun Umm el-'Azam (West) as part of the Hippos Regional Project, focusing on the study of rural sites and fortifications in the territory of Hippos from the Hellenistic to the Byzantine periods.

ARAM, 2024

Limes XXIIII. Proceedings of the 24 th International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies, Serbia 2018, 2024

Elsevier eBooks, 2023

Univerzita Karlova, Filozofická fakulta, Sep 13, 2012

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2020

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021

Journal of Landscape Ecology, 2017

Archaeopress Publishing Ltd eBooks, Jan 12, 2023

Tel Aviv, 2024

Human History and Digital Future : Proceedings of the 46th Annual Conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology, 2023

Reference Module in Social Sciences, 2023

The entry provides an overview of the evidence for the development and variety of roads from preh... more The entry provides an overview of the evidence for the development and variety of roads from prehistory to the Medieval
period, with special attention to the Ancient Near East and the Roman world. Research methodologies related to the
identification and study of the physical remains of roads are discussed, as well as spatial and network analyses and their
application to study roads and transport networks. The contribution of linked open data and gazetteers is highlighted as
possible future directions in road network research.

Hadashot Arkheologiyot Excavations and Surveys in Israel, 2021

Prague 2015 Thesis Advisor: PhDr. Ladislav Stančo, PhD. Acknowledgment I would like to express my... more Prague 2015 Thesis Advisor: PhDr. Ladislav Stančo, PhD. Acknowledgment I would like to express my thanks to my advisor PhDr. Ladislav Stančo, PhD., who guided me through difficult task of writing this thesis and who always provided me with important counsels. Moreover, I would like to thank Michael Eisenberg, PhD. from University of Haifa who shared his views and knowledge about Hellenistic and Roman fortifications in Israel with me and helped me with my studies of this topic in Israel. Last, but not least, I have to thank all who helped me and supported me in past three years in various ways -my family, friends and scholars in Prague, Haifa and Tel Aviv. Prohlašuji, že jsem diplomovou práci vypracoval samostatně, že jsem řádně citoval všechny použité prameny a literaturu a že práce nebyla využita v rámci jiného vysokoškolského studia či k získání jiného nebo stejného titulu. V Praze dne

ASOR Program 2017, Boston CHAIR: Michael Eisenberg Antiochia Hippos (Sussita) of the Decapolis is... more ASOR Program 2017, Boston
CHAIR: Michael Eisenberg
Antiochia Hippos (Sussita) of the Decapolis is the last polis to be unearthed in the Land of Israel and one of the largest archaeological enterprises of the Classical period in the region.
The city, founded upon Sussita Mountain crest in the first half of the second century BC, is the center of an on-going archaeological research started at 2000 and published in a series of monographs and articles. In recent years the research expanded to Sussita’s saddle-ridge area and the Khôra/Territorium of Hippos.
Hippos administrative region covered the central and southern Golan during the Roman period and is the core of a new regional and inter-regional study using archaeological, geo-spatial and lab-based analytical methods. The research aims to gain a better understanding of the urban – rural relationships in the region.

Although the physical remains of Roman roads and milestones in the Golan Heights are known at lea... more Although the physical remains of Roman roads and milestones in the Golan Heights are known at least since pioneering work done by Gottlieb Schumacher in the 1880s they drew little scholarly attention. To date only short summaries of Z.U. Maʿoz and of the Golan Survey are available; both of which indeed raise more questions than answers. Particular lacunae in our understanding of the Roman roads, mainly in the southern Golan, pertain to the development and chronology of the road system. Another question arises concerning the actual continuation of the known road stretch westward.
The current research concentrates on the Roman road system in the southern Golan, encompassing southern part of Gaulanitis district and territory of the city of Antiochia Hippos. The research is undertaken in three phases:

GIS analysis locating best optimal routes in the region using cumulative focal mobility network approach. The results are used in concordance with historical topographical maps as a tool for field survey evaluating westward continuation of the extant remains of the Roman road.
Survey of the physical remains of the various stretches of the ancient roads focusing on the characteristics of road construction methods, materials and dimensions; which may help in distinguishing stages of development of the road system and identification of Roman and later roads.
Metrological study of the milestones and their comparison with milestones from provinces of Judaea and Arabia may clarify the dating of anepigraphic milestones and thus allow dating of the road system as well.
The combination of these analyses seeks for better understanding of the development of Roman road system in the region where provinces of Judaea, Syria and Arabia converge and of the Roman army involvement in the territorium of Antiochia Hippos and the Gaulanitis district.