Modeling Dead Spaces: Geospatial Study of Ancient Roman Rock-cut Tombs in the Eastern Mediterranean

This project investigates how rock-cut tombs, as a distinctive form of burial architecture, reflect cultural dynamics across the Roman Empire’s provinces. During fieldwork in Egypt, Turkey, and Greece, 3D modeling and GIS analysis will be used to document and compare the form, placement, and topographic relationships of these tombs. These characteristics correspond to distinct local customs that informed their construction and use amidst wider Roman imperial influence. These digital methodologies offer an innovative approach to archaeological research on an understudied element of ancient Roman funerary practices and contribute to understanding nuanced cultural expression in a diverse, trans-Mediterranean imperial network.

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