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4 - Crafts in Roman North Africa

Technical Transfer and Permanence through Grain Mills and Fullonicae

from Part II - Technological Mobility and Transfers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2020

By
Touatia Amraoui
Edited by
C. N. Duckworth ,
A. Cuénod  and
D. J. Mattingly
C. N. Duckworth
Affiliation:
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
A. Cuénod
Affiliation:
University of Leicester
D. J. Mattingly
Affiliation:
University of Leicester
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Summary

A study of production remains in the ancient Maghrib allows a reflection on the technology used by African craftsmen. Archaeological remains from the Roman period prove to be valuable indicators that can inform us about tools and manufacturing methods. In particular, the study of ancient grain mills and fulling workshops develops our understanding of the technical processes and helps clarify the restitution of the chaînes opératoires for different types of activities (transformation of foodstuffs, manufacturing and treatment of textiles, construction and decoration). If all steps are not identifiable based on the archaeological record, they can still be reconstituted with the contribution of ancient written evidence, iconographic representations or ethnography. This analysis leads on the one hand to reflections on the adoption of Roman techniques and types of production in this region, and on the other hand to questioning the permanence of local savoir faire.

Keywords

craftsRoman archaeologyNorth AfricamillsfullersworkshopsRoman technology
Type
Chapter
Information
Mobile Technologies in the Ancient Sahara and Beyond , pp. 115 - 142
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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