Manning/Critical Approaches, 11. Mobility and Labour Efforts along Prehistoric Roads and Least Cost Paths in the Argolid, Greece

This paper investigates the network of roads in the Argolid and especially in terms of quantifying and assessing the construction labour involved and considering this against the least cost paths for movement across the landscape. The study finds that factors other than simple economy of travel were important, especially in mountainous regions. It is evident that provision of mobility/transport and the control over this both reflects and reinforces socio-political and economic power and status. Mycenae stands out as considerably more connected via roads than Tiryns and Midea, and this may suggest both its dominant political role in the region, and likely a central, organizing, role in pooling and supporting the resources necessary to construct and maintain the road system.