Books by Marta Zuchowska
This volume provides an ambitious synopsis of the complex, colourful world of textiles in ancient... more This volume provides an ambitious synopsis of the complex, colourful world of textiles in ancient Mediterranean iconography. A wealth of information on ancient textiles is available from depictions such as sculpture, vase painting, figurines, reliefs and mosaics. Commonly represented in clothing, textiles are also present in furnishings and through the processes of textile production. The challenge for anyone analysing ancient iconography is determining how we interpret what we see. As preserved textiles rarely survive in comparable forms, we must consider the extent to which representations of textiles reflect reality, and critically evaluate the sources. Images are not simple replicas or photographs of reality. Instead, iconography draws on select elements from the surrounding world that were recognisable to the ancient audience, and reveal the perceptions, ideologies, and ideas of the society in which they were produced. Through examining the durable evidence, this anthology reveals the ephemeral world of textiles and their integral role in the daily life, cult and economy of the ancient Mediterranea
Papers by Marta Zuchowska
Between realism and artistic convention. Woollen mantles in the iconography of Roman Palmyra.
S. Harriss, C. Broens, M. Żuchowska "Textiles in the Ancient Mediterranean Iconography" (There is a downloadable version of the whole book under the following link: https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/51996 ), 2021
Palmyra is one of the rare archaeological sites dated to the Roman period where abundant organic ... more Palmyra is one of the rare archaeological sites dated to the Roman period where abundant organic materi-als have survived, including a substantial group of fabrics. Among them, fragments of over 500 textiles have been documented, all dated to the period between the end of the 1st century BCE and the 3rd century CE. Archaeological research in Palmyra has also brought to light numerous contemporary representations, mostly funerary sculpture but also some wall-paintings, which illustrate a wide spectrum of the clothing and fabrics worn by the Palmyrenes. Some of the most commonly represented items of clothing on the sculptures are wool-len mantles, which are chosen as a case study in this paper. The analysis of archaeological and iconographic material from Palmyra provides a unique opportunity to assess the extent to which the artistic vision of the Palmyrene sculptors corresponds to reality.
The paper discusses the issue of Palmyrene trade and the city’s standing in the long-distance tra... more The paper discusses the issue of Palmyrene trade and the city’s standing in the long-distance trade of the Roman Empire. Although the city’s involvement in exchange with
other countries is undisputed and itineraries developed by the Palmyrene merchants for travel to the East have been studied in the past, relatively little is known about goods
imported to Palmyra and their origin, as well as about cargo exported from or via Palmyra. The text of the famous Palmyrene Tariff lists only products exchanged on a local, inner-Roman level. The goods in foreign trade were taxed on the border and no document concerning such an exchange has survived, but some information on the subject can be
gleaned from archaeological data from Palmyra itself as well as from indirect literary sources.
Archaeologia Polona, 2017
Dancers and dancing performances were among the most popular motifs in Han dynasty period funerar... more Dancers and dancing performances were among the most popular motifs in Han dynasty period funerary reliefs. Clay figurines and jade plaques representing dancers were also often placed in the graves of members of Chinese aristocracy. As we know from abundant literary sources, in earlier times dance in China was connected with ritual and ceremonial activities, but analysis of Han dynasty representations suggest that, in that time, it became merely entertainment. In this paper I would like to present some Han dynasty reliefs representing different categories of dance and their possible interpretations.
The article provides an overview of the results of a limited field survey of water supply install... more The article provides an overview of the results of a limited field survey of water supply installations in Palmyra and its environs, conducted in 2010. The catalogue of known structures was updated, the main objective being to verify the dating of Palmyra's water system. The known wells were mapped and the remains of the Northern Aqueduct were documented. The examination of the system of water distribution within the city led to some new observations that resulted in a reinterpretation of certain structures related to water management, such as the sabil niche which was earlier considered to be a water tower.
In connection with work in the western sector of the ruins of ancient Palmyra, a test trench was ... more In connection with work in the western sector of the ruins of ancient Palmyra, a test trench was dug in the 2001 and 2002 seasons in the street of the Great Colonnade. 1) The trench, which was 3.50 m wide and 14 m long, cut through the street in one of the intercolumnia. A small section of the south portico was cleaned down to the Roman level. The chief objective was to study the stratigraphy and to verify earlier ideas about the dating of successive phases of the main street of the town. In the course of two seasons of excavations, a number of layers corresponding to the phases of street development came to light along with substantial evidence of hydraulic installations constituting part of the ancient sewage system .
editor and co-editor by Marta Zuchowska
Archaeologia Polona, 2017
Organization of conferences and workshops1 by Marta Zuchowska
In present session we would like to discuss long distance trade not only in terms of movement of ... more In present session we would like to discuss long distance trade not only in terms of movement of goods and their influence on ancient economies, but rather as a complex process of exchanging ideas and cross-cultural contacts. We will focus on the contextual aspects of this phenomenon connected with the impact of trade on societies and their culture, looking also beyond the material, in order to understand the social background of ancient trade and exchange. We warmly welcome papers concerning such problems as:
Narodził się pomysł zorganizowania spotkania poświęconego archeologii włókiennictwa, którego głów... more Narodził się pomysł zorganizowania spotkania poświęconego archeologii włókiennictwa, którego głównym celem byłoby przedstawienie przekroju badań, jakie prowadzone są obecnie przez polskich archeologów. Sądzimy, że osób zajmujących się szeroko rozumianą archeologią włókiennictwa, m.in. tekstyliami archeologicznymi, problemami ich konserwacji, odciskami tekstyliów, narzędziami włókienniczymi, organizacją produkcji włókienniczej, 'tekstylną archeologią eksperymentalną', czy nauczaniem o produkcji włókienniczej, jest w naszym środowisku coraz więcej i warto znaleźć platformę, która pozwoliłaby nam wszystkim na przedstawienie aktualnie prowadzonych badań i wymianę doświadczeń. Mamy nadzieję, że formuła ogólnopolskiej konferencji o charakterze warsztatowym pozwoli nam się lepiej poznać i będzie korzystna dla rozwoju naszej specjalności, a może także ułatwi podejmowanie wspólnych badań i projektów w przyszłości. Konferencja "Archeologia włókiennictwa w Polsce – nowe badania, nowi badacze" odbędzie się w Warszawie, w Instytucie Archeologii Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, dnia 28 marca 2018 roku. Nie przewidujemy opłaty konferencyjnej, ale musimy uprzedzić, że nie możemy zapewnić zwrotu kosztów podróży, ani zakwaterowania naszym prelegentom. Zapraszamy gorąco do zgłaszania referatów, które przedstawią obecnie prowadzone badania lub zaawansowane plany projektowe. Ponieważ chciałybyśmy, żeby nasza konferencja miała charakter warsztatowy, planujemy 15 minutowe wystąpienia, ale rezerwujemy sporo czasu na dyskusję i wymianę myśli. Na zgłoszenia z krótkimi streszczeniami (ok. 250 słów) oczekujemy do 28 lutego 2018 r.
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Books by Marta Zuchowska
Papers by Marta Zuchowska
other countries is undisputed and itineraries developed by the Palmyrene merchants for travel to the East have been studied in the past, relatively little is known about goods
imported to Palmyra and their origin, as well as about cargo exported from or via Palmyra. The text of the famous Palmyrene Tariff lists only products exchanged on a local, inner-Roman level. The goods in foreign trade were taxed on the border and no document concerning such an exchange has survived, but some information on the subject can be
gleaned from archaeological data from Palmyra itself as well as from indirect literary sources.
editor and co-editor by Marta Zuchowska
Organization of conferences and workshops1 by Marta Zuchowska