reading response 2

docx

School

Pennsylvania State University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

101

Subject

Anthropology

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by kesarawein

2) Based on your reading of pages 101-102, discuss the early development of the Forum valley. What kind of remains have archaeologists discovered? How did early "Romans" use this area? The Forum Valley is located between the Capitoline and Palatine Hills in Rome. It was proximal to fresh water and springs ran through it. This aspect of the Forum Valley was likely appealing to the settlers of the valley who could use the fertile land for farming and water. Evidence demonstrates that Bronze Age individuals commonly built settlements around freshwater areas. Based on archeological finds, the Forum Valley was at least the site of burials between 1250-950 BCE, suggesting that the area had been settled at that time. Further researches discovered remnants of huts that may have been built roughly 100 years later and tightly packed pebbles—possibly a walkway or roadway—that were slightly above the huts. Closer to the Palatine side, additional huts and burial sites were found, as well as materials suggesting early Iron Age occupation. Additionally, man-made terraces and possible defensive structures were found. These archaeological findings further the notion that the Forum Valley was widely settled by the 8th century BCE and may have been sites of interaction with other regions. Findings also shine light on cultural pastimes that occurred in the Forum Valley. Excavated pavings lead archeologists to believe that paths from the Forum Valley led to shrines and temples, suggesting a religious component of this Valley and the people in it. Additionally, pottery has been recovered from the area—giving insight into practices of the people who lived in the Valley. Finally, the author suggests that the Forum Valley was a “natural harbor” before the 1st century CE. Therefore, it is possible that different nations or regions visited this area and engaged in economic or military interaction. The “harbor” was eventually built over and other ports were used. Overall, the Forum Valley provided early Romans with a fertile space and access to fresh water needed to settle and build a community. From simple skeletal remains, to huts, to pebble walkways, the Forum Valley developed over multiple centuries. Signs of burials and walkways as well as water diversion techniques like ditches illuminate humanistic processes common to civilizations that are developing. Furthermore, the introduction of pottery and temples suggest that the Forum Valley was involved in Roman culture and possibly used as a place of worship or public gathering along with an economic area where the goods of agriculture may have been traded.

Discover more documents: Sign up today!

Unlock a world of knowledge! Explore tailored content for a richer learning experience. Here's what you'll get: