BOOKS by Patrik Klingborg
Water in Ancient Mediterranean Households, 2023
This book provides the first detailed study of the water supply of households in antiquity. Chapt... more This book provides the first detailed study of the water supply of households in antiquity. Chapters explore settings from Classical Greece to the Late Roman Empire across a wide variety of environments, from dry deserts and moderate Mediterranean zones to wet and temperate climates further north.
The different case studies presented in each chapter are united by three intimately interconnected aspects. The first, rainwater harvesting in cisterns, provides detailed techno-hydraulic investigations of the household water supply systems. The second aspect, households and water at the margins, stresses how domestic water supply systems were successfully adapted to unusually harsh environmental conditions. The third, other waters for houses, focuses on other types of water supply systems (rivers, water-bearers, stepped pools, wells) and their life biographies. As shown by the different chapters, a careful study of a household’s water supply is a rich source of evidence for understanding everyday decisions, anxieties, and changes in life. They also build towards a greater understanding of the social inequalities that are at play in the ancient Mediterranean and beyond, providing a wealth of new research to greatly augment our understanding of water as a resource in the ancient Mediterranean.
Providing a new and important perspective on a central part of everyday life in the ancient world, this book is aimed at archaeologists and historians of the ancient Mediterranean, notably the Greek and Roman worlds, especially those with an interest in ancient households and water culture
Going against the flow. Wells, cisterns and water in ancient Greece, 2023
Despite the prevalent picture of the water supply in the ancient world as being dominated by foun... more Despite the prevalent picture of the water supply in the ancient world as being dominated by fountains and aqueducts, the large number of excavated wells and cisterns show that these were the primary water sources for most individuals. Yet, little research has been done on their construction, function and use. This prompted the organization of the workshop Going against the flow. Wells, cisterns and water in ancient Greece, held at the Swedish Institute at Athens on 28–29 September 2017, and subsequent publication of the contributions in this volume. The ten papers presented here offer new evidence as well as a wide range of new perspectives on the use and function of wells and cisterns in ancient Greece. Considering the ubiquity of these installations in every type of setting during antiquity, from pan-Hellenic sanctuaries and civic centres to domestic workshops and remote farmhouses, it is hoped that the breadth of interest among the authors will allow other scholars to advance their own work further, illuminating new and exciting aspects of life in ancient Greece.
PhD by Patrik Klingborg
This study explores cisterns in the Greek world 600–50 BC based on a representative body of archa... more This study explores cisterns in the Greek world 600–50 BC based on a representative body of archaeological material of 410 cisterns from 49 sites presented in a catalogue, and the literary and epigraphic evidence. The aim is to investigate when and how cisterns were constructed, how they were used and functioned in ancient Greek society and why they were used only at certain times.
The first part of the study creates a framework for the investigation of cisterns, examining the installations, the chronology and ancient terminology. The variation in shape and construction and various features used to improve functionality are treated. Chronologically, the study discusses methodological questions related to the dating of cisterns as well as when cisterns were constructed. It is shown that cisterns existed in the Archaic period but were rare, while during the 4th c. BC they become more popular, and remained so until the last century BC.
Based on the framework established in the first part, the study investigates how cisterns were used, from construction to abandonment, and how the use was both formed by, and formed, interaction between cisterns and humans. Cisterns are then studied on a micro-, meso- and macro-level, as these three perspectives reveal different aspects of how cisterns were used and functioned in the Greek world. Finally, the study explores the way in which cisterns were viewed in comparison to other water sources and how this affected their relation to the humans using them. It is argued that cisterns were connected to passivity and control, and that this enabled them to be used as a risk-management strategy.
PAPERS by Patrik Klingborg
Opuscula, 2024
It has long been clear that the water supply in ancient Greece was transformed over time, with th... more It has long been clear that the water supply in ancient Greece was transformed over time, with the relative number of various types of water sources varying in time and space. Yet, what patterns this produced has never been explored, and the degree to which trends suggested by local or qualitative studies are representative for larger areas and patterns is unknown. The root of this uncertainty lies largely in the difficulty assembling an extensive and representative material beyond individual sites or cities. Following this, the present article has two aims. The first is to test and evaluate a method for collecting an extensive and (more) representative material for the investigation of the water supply in ancient Greece on a regional scale, based on a systematic review of the material from the Peloponnese published in Archaeological Reports 1887–2012. The second aim is to discuss how the collected data can be used to explore the transformations of the water supply systems on the Peloponnese in the period 900 BC–AD 300. Together the results are intended to develop further the WaterWorks project, which aims to create a better understanding of the development of the ancient water supply. The method produced a considerably better dataset than previously available. The dataset, recorded in an Access database, suggests that some hitherto acknowledged trends are probably valid for larger areas while others are less prominent than previously believed. However, in the end, the dataset is too limited to allow firm conclusions concerning how, and to a larger degree why, the water supply system was transformed over time. The dataset will be made publicly accessible in an open access repository.
Opuscula, 2024
The aim of this article is to present the first results of a project investigating the hitherto u... more The aim of this article is to present the first results of a project investigating the hitherto unexplored site of Pergamos, located on a hill known as Koules/Alonaki just to the south of modern Moustheni in the Pieria valley. The site has a long history, with the earliest traces of human activity dating to the Late Bronze Age and the first visible architectural remains—impressive and well-preserved fortifications built in a stack-work technique—originating in the Late Archaic period. Following this, surface finds testify to activity and habitation throughout the centuries until a substantial strengthening of the defensive walls during Late Roman or medieval times, before the site was abandoned at a currently unknown point. To achieve the aim the article begins with an introduction to the site and its surrounding landscape. Following this, the results of a survey of the visible remains are presented, focusing on the fortifications and two architectural fragments. The site is then discussed within its spatial and chronological context, suggesting that Pergamos was an important settlement in the area, exhibiting traits of a polis, in particular during Archaic and Classical times before it fell within the sphere of influence of the Roman colony Philippi.
Water in Ancient Mediterranean Households, 2023
Water in Ancient Mediterranean Households, 2023
Klio, 2023
Scholars have long highlighted the importance of water for rituals in
Greek sanctuaries, but li... more Scholars have long highlighted the importance of water for rituals in
Greek sanctuaries, but little is known about when and how it was used in prac-
tice. Considering the importance attributed to water in rituals at Greek sanctu-
aries, this article aims to explore water as a purificatory agent for humans and
things and as an offering, pure or water mixed with wine, to the gods in the form
of libations. Throughout the paper we argue that these activities were located on a
spectrum from mundane to religious and can be viewed within a “spatio-temporal”
framework where they functioned as visual cues in order to structure activities. To
achieve this, we closely and critically examine the empirical material, epigraphic
and literary, supported by archaeological and iconographic evidence.
Going against the flow. Wells, cisterns and water in ancient Greece, 2023
Despite the prevalent picture of the water supply in the ancient world as being dominated by foun... more Despite the prevalent picture of the water supply in the ancient world as being dominated by fountains and aqueducts, the large number of excavated cisterns and wells show that these were the primary water sources for most individuals. Yet, little research has been done on their construction, function and use. This prompted the organization of the workshop Going against the flow. Wells, cisterns and water in ancient Greece, held at the Swedish Institute at Athens on 28–29 September 2017, and subsequent publication of the contributions in this volume. This chapter begins by providing a background to why cisterns and wells should be studied, followed by the aims of the volume, i.e. to collect studies on Greek cisterns and wells that bring the empirical evidence into focus. Following this the chapter provides a background to the contributions by discussing the definitions of the terms “cistern” and “well”, previous research, and suggestions for future work. Finally, the chapter presents the individual contributions in the volume.
Going against the flow. Wells, cisterns and water in ancient Greece, 2023
This chapter explores the literary evidence for wells and cisterns through a close reading of pas... more This chapter explores the literary evidence for wells and cisterns through a close reading of passages where five terms (φρέαρ, λάκκος, δεξαμενή, ὑποδοχή and ἀγγεῖον) occur. The aim is to elucidate what the literary sources reveal about the function of wells and cisterns, how they were used in the literature, as well as how the complex terminology for these installations can be understood. Following a discussion of the material it is suggested that the terminology for wells and cisterns differed because of the diverging development of these types of installations. It is also suggested that the available literary material is not representative of how wells and cisterns functioned and were used at most Greek sites, as these mundane installations rarely interested male elite authors. Instead, the evidence reflects how wells and cisterns were perceived to function in faraway and exotic places, where they could be used to contrast the Greek world to that beyond it.
Opusucla, 2021
This article reports the findings of the fieldwork exploring the cisterns at
the Bisti promontory... more This article reports the findings of the fieldwork exploring the cisterns at
the Bisti promontory of Hermione, executed as part of a collaboration
between the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Argolid and the Swedish
Institute at Athens. In order to better understand the function of the
cisterns within the water supply system, the article begins by presenting
an overview of existing water resources in the area, primarily the naturally
occurring sources and the city’s 2nd-century AD Roman aqueduct. Following
this the study describes the remains of the 14 potential cisterns on
the Bisti. Based on the empirical material the similarities and contrasts
between these are explored, as well as what they can tell us about the
history and life in ancient Hermione. In particular, the article suggests
that the presence of the cisterns contributes to our understanding of the
urban fabric of the city, and reveals important information about when
the city was moved from the Bisti to the nearby Pron Hill.
Schriftenreihe der Frontinus-Gesellschaft 31, 2019
Countless ancient Greek cisterns have been excavated since the inception of modern archaeological... more Countless ancient Greek cisterns have been excavated since the inception of modern archaeological research in the Mediterranean. But despite the great importance of cisterns in the water supply system, as attested by the thousands of known examples, they have usually been uncovered primarily in order to obtain material deposited in them. Furthermore, in modern scholarship little attention has been paid towards how they functioned, were used, and why they became the preferred water supply at many sites during the 4th–1st centuries BC. Further research into cisterns is therefore needed. One aspect which is especially critical due to the focus on the material deposited in cisterns is the relationship between such fills and the cisterns as water sources. This article therefore aims to explore on a methodological level how the fills deposited in a cistern are related to the cistern’s abandonment as a water source, arguing that the date of fills does not automatically correspond to the date of abandonment of the cistern. In order to do this a general methodological discussion will be followed by examples from the cisterns in and around the Hellenistic Arsenal in Athens and in the area of the Stadtgrabung in Pergamon.
Journal of Archaeology and Ancient History (JAAH), 2019
This article presents the newly started project “Water at ancient Greek sanctuaries: medium of di... more This article presents the newly started project “Water at ancient Greek sanctuaries: medium of divine presence or commodity for mortal visitors?”, the aim of which is to explore water usage at Greek sanctuaries in Archaic to Hellenistic times. In order to do so the project is divided into three separate studies. The first is how water was used in sanctuaries: where was water accessible through natural and man-made infrastructure, for what activities was it utilized, and which of these can be considered ritual and/or utilitarian? The second focuses on the means by which water was utilized, i.e. how was water management infrastructure adapted to ritual and utilitarian needs, and how did the need and access to water shape ritual and utilitarian activity at the sanctuary? The third part is an overarching analysis, combining the first two parts, which will expand our knowledge of perceptions of human activities in the god’s dwelling: how did ritual and utilitarian uses of water differ at a perceptual level?
In this paper, we model the function of rainwater harvesting cisterns in ancient Greece. The mode... more In this paper, we model the function of rainwater harvesting cisterns in ancient Greece. The model calculates on a monthly basis: (1) the collected and stored volume of water; (2) the amount of water extracted for individual use; and (3) the potential accumulated surplus available by the end of a month. The potential of the model is explored through two case studies based on material from Olynthos in Thessaly and Dystos on
ancient Euboia by running 26 consecutive annual cycles utilizing modern precipitation data from meteorological stations as a proxy for ancient precipitation and precipitation variability. Our results show that cisterns can provide ample amounts of freshwater to households and function as buffers for water stress in shorter (monthly), and longer terms (seasonally, yearly and between years). The two cisterns in this paper yield between 10.7 and 86.6 m3 per annum with a strong variability in collected water volumes within and between years. Yet, this variability is, largely predictable and thus the use of cisterns in ancient Greece should be viewed in the light of predictable variability that required active participation from members of the household to be efficient.
Article in Institutionens historier en vänbok till Gullög Nordquist, eds. E. Weiberg, S. Carlsson... more Article in Institutionens historier en vänbok till Gullög Nordquist, eds. E. Weiberg, S. Carlsson & G. Ekroth, 2013, 109–121.
Appendix in ‘The New Swedish Cyprus Expedition 2010 Excavations at Dromolaxia Vizatzia/Hala Sulta... more Appendix in ‘The New Swedish Cyprus Expedition 2010 Excavations at Dromolaxia Vizatzia/Hala Sultan Tekke’, Opuscula 4, 2011, 85–86.
Article in De aquaeductu atque aqua urbium Lyciae Pamphyliae Pisidiae. The legacy of Sextus Juliu... more Article in De aquaeductu atque aqua urbium Lyciae Pamphyliae Pisidiae. The legacy of Sextus Julius Frontinus. Tagungsband des internationalen Frontinus-Symposiums Antalya, 31. Oktober–9. November 2014 (BABesch, Suppl., 27), ed. G. Wiplinger, Leuven, 187–188.
WORKSHOPS by Patrik Klingborg
The digital workshop "New Currents in Ancient Water Studies" is arranged in cooperation between t... more The digital workshop "New Currents in Ancient Water Studies" is arranged in cooperation between the Swedish Institute at Athens and the Frontinus Gesellschaft. The event aims to present ongoing projects studying the water supply in the ancient world from the Levant and North Africa to the northern provinces of the Empire and Rome itself. The workshop begins from the east with Rick Bonnie, Saimi Kautonen and Niko Aarnio discussing the religious responses to climate change through the usage of Jewish ritual baths during the Roman period. Thereafter, new work tracing the water system in Trier is presented by Florian Tanz and Sascha Schmitz, as well as the results of recent fieldwork in Hermione in the Argolid by Patrik Klingborg. The workshop then continues with Dylan Rogers who presents his newly published research on water and memory on the Forum Romanum in Rome. This leads up to Cecelia Feldman’s talk on the interrelationship between Greek mythology and hydrology. Finally, the workshop is concluded by Mark Locicero who discusses the, often hidden, water systems in Roman Volubilis, located in modern Marocco. By doing so he sheds light on an otherwise often overlooked part of the Empire.
Note that the event will take place digitally using Zoom, November 10, 2020, 16.00–20.00 (GMT+2). Registration to [email protected] is required in order to participate.
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BOOKS by Patrik Klingborg
The different case studies presented in each chapter are united by three intimately interconnected aspects. The first, rainwater harvesting in cisterns, provides detailed techno-hydraulic investigations of the household water supply systems. The second aspect, households and water at the margins, stresses how domestic water supply systems were successfully adapted to unusually harsh environmental conditions. The third, other waters for houses, focuses on other types of water supply systems (rivers, water-bearers, stepped pools, wells) and their life biographies. As shown by the different chapters, a careful study of a household’s water supply is a rich source of evidence for understanding everyday decisions, anxieties, and changes in life. They also build towards a greater understanding of the social inequalities that are at play in the ancient Mediterranean and beyond, providing a wealth of new research to greatly augment our understanding of water as a resource in the ancient Mediterranean.
Providing a new and important perspective on a central part of everyday life in the ancient world, this book is aimed at archaeologists and historians of the ancient Mediterranean, notably the Greek and Roman worlds, especially those with an interest in ancient households and water culture
PhD by Patrik Klingborg
The first part of the study creates a framework for the investigation of cisterns, examining the installations, the chronology and ancient terminology. The variation in shape and construction and various features used to improve functionality are treated. Chronologically, the study discusses methodological questions related to the dating of cisterns as well as when cisterns were constructed. It is shown that cisterns existed in the Archaic period but were rare, while during the 4th c. BC they become more popular, and remained so until the last century BC.
Based on the framework established in the first part, the study investigates how cisterns were used, from construction to abandonment, and how the use was both formed by, and formed, interaction between cisterns and humans. Cisterns are then studied on a micro-, meso- and macro-level, as these three perspectives reveal different aspects of how cisterns were used and functioned in the Greek world. Finally, the study explores the way in which cisterns were viewed in comparison to other water sources and how this affected their relation to the humans using them. It is argued that cisterns were connected to passivity and control, and that this enabled them to be used as a risk-management strategy.
PAPERS by Patrik Klingborg
Greek sanctuaries, but little is known about when and how it was used in prac-
tice. Considering the importance attributed to water in rituals at Greek sanctu-
aries, this article aims to explore water as a purificatory agent for humans and
things and as an offering, pure or water mixed with wine, to the gods in the form
of libations. Throughout the paper we argue that these activities were located on a
spectrum from mundane to religious and can be viewed within a “spatio-temporal”
framework where they functioned as visual cues in order to structure activities. To
achieve this, we closely and critically examine the empirical material, epigraphic
and literary, supported by archaeological and iconographic evidence.
the Bisti promontory of Hermione, executed as part of a collaboration
between the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Argolid and the Swedish
Institute at Athens. In order to better understand the function of the
cisterns within the water supply system, the article begins by presenting
an overview of existing water resources in the area, primarily the naturally
occurring sources and the city’s 2nd-century AD Roman aqueduct. Following
this the study describes the remains of the 14 potential cisterns on
the Bisti. Based on the empirical material the similarities and contrasts
between these are explored, as well as what they can tell us about the
history and life in ancient Hermione. In particular, the article suggests
that the presence of the cisterns contributes to our understanding of the
urban fabric of the city, and reveals important information about when
the city was moved from the Bisti to the nearby Pron Hill.
ancient Euboia by running 26 consecutive annual cycles utilizing modern precipitation data from meteorological stations as a proxy for ancient precipitation and precipitation variability. Our results show that cisterns can provide ample amounts of freshwater to households and function as buffers for water stress in shorter (monthly), and longer terms (seasonally, yearly and between years). The two cisterns in this paper yield between 10.7 and 86.6 m3 per annum with a strong variability in collected water volumes within and between years. Yet, this variability is, largely predictable and thus the use of cisterns in ancient Greece should be viewed in the light of predictable variability that required active participation from members of the household to be efficient.
WORKSHOPS by Patrik Klingborg
Note that the event will take place digitally using Zoom, November 10, 2020, 16.00–20.00 (GMT+2). Registration to [email protected] is required in order to participate.
The different case studies presented in each chapter are united by three intimately interconnected aspects. The first, rainwater harvesting in cisterns, provides detailed techno-hydraulic investigations of the household water supply systems. The second aspect, households and water at the margins, stresses how domestic water supply systems were successfully adapted to unusually harsh environmental conditions. The third, other waters for houses, focuses on other types of water supply systems (rivers, water-bearers, stepped pools, wells) and their life biographies. As shown by the different chapters, a careful study of a household’s water supply is a rich source of evidence for understanding everyday decisions, anxieties, and changes in life. They also build towards a greater understanding of the social inequalities that are at play in the ancient Mediterranean and beyond, providing a wealth of new research to greatly augment our understanding of water as a resource in the ancient Mediterranean.
Providing a new and important perspective on a central part of everyday life in the ancient world, this book is aimed at archaeologists and historians of the ancient Mediterranean, notably the Greek and Roman worlds, especially those with an interest in ancient households and water culture
The first part of the study creates a framework for the investigation of cisterns, examining the installations, the chronology and ancient terminology. The variation in shape and construction and various features used to improve functionality are treated. Chronologically, the study discusses methodological questions related to the dating of cisterns as well as when cisterns were constructed. It is shown that cisterns existed in the Archaic period but were rare, while during the 4th c. BC they become more popular, and remained so until the last century BC.
Based on the framework established in the first part, the study investigates how cisterns were used, from construction to abandonment, and how the use was both formed by, and formed, interaction between cisterns and humans. Cisterns are then studied on a micro-, meso- and macro-level, as these three perspectives reveal different aspects of how cisterns were used and functioned in the Greek world. Finally, the study explores the way in which cisterns were viewed in comparison to other water sources and how this affected their relation to the humans using them. It is argued that cisterns were connected to passivity and control, and that this enabled them to be used as a risk-management strategy.
Greek sanctuaries, but little is known about when and how it was used in prac-
tice. Considering the importance attributed to water in rituals at Greek sanctu-
aries, this article aims to explore water as a purificatory agent for humans and
things and as an offering, pure or water mixed with wine, to the gods in the form
of libations. Throughout the paper we argue that these activities were located on a
spectrum from mundane to religious and can be viewed within a “spatio-temporal”
framework where they functioned as visual cues in order to structure activities. To
achieve this, we closely and critically examine the empirical material, epigraphic
and literary, supported by archaeological and iconographic evidence.
the Bisti promontory of Hermione, executed as part of a collaboration
between the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Argolid and the Swedish
Institute at Athens. In order to better understand the function of the
cisterns within the water supply system, the article begins by presenting
an overview of existing water resources in the area, primarily the naturally
occurring sources and the city’s 2nd-century AD Roman aqueduct. Following
this the study describes the remains of the 14 potential cisterns on
the Bisti. Based on the empirical material the similarities and contrasts
between these are explored, as well as what they can tell us about the
history and life in ancient Hermione. In particular, the article suggests
that the presence of the cisterns contributes to our understanding of the
urban fabric of the city, and reveals important information about when
the city was moved from the Bisti to the nearby Pron Hill.
ancient Euboia by running 26 consecutive annual cycles utilizing modern precipitation data from meteorological stations as a proxy for ancient precipitation and precipitation variability. Our results show that cisterns can provide ample amounts of freshwater to households and function as buffers for water stress in shorter (monthly), and longer terms (seasonally, yearly and between years). The two cisterns in this paper yield between 10.7 and 86.6 m3 per annum with a strong variability in collected water volumes within and between years. Yet, this variability is, largely predictable and thus the use of cisterns in ancient Greece should be viewed in the light of predictable variability that required active participation from members of the household to be efficient.
Note that the event will take place digitally using Zoom, November 10, 2020, 16.00–20.00 (GMT+2). Registration to [email protected] is required in order to participate.
Note that the event will take place digitally using Zoom, November 10, 2020, 16.00–20.00 (GMT+2). Registration to [email protected] is required in order to participate.
Note that the number of seats at the workshop is limited. Those interested in participating should contact the organiser Patrik Klingborg ([email protected]).
Topics to be discussed:
- Terminology: How do we differentiate various similar water sources from each other? How do we define various installations and can modern definitions be reconciled with ancient terminology? How can we work towards a more consistent modern terminology?
-How does the water supply in ancient Greek societies look if we take wells and cisterns as our starting point instead of fountains and aqueducts?
-How influential were external factors, e.g. climate change, political conditions and demographic shifts, for the development of the water supply system?
What can we learn about the water supply in ancient Greece by widening our scope and incorporating other perspectives and disciplines?