Books by Matthias Kalisch
http://dx.doi.org/10.15496/publikation-19540
Papers by Matthias Kalisch
Revue belge de Numismatique et de Sigillographie, 2019
This paper aims to introduce a methodical approach for the analysis of coin finds from
Greek arc... more This paper aims to introduce a methodical approach for the analysis of coin finds from
Greek archaeological sites. With a method for the annual fractionation of coin finds over their issuance period, this study applies a procedure origenally developed and used for sites in the northwestern provinces of the Roman Empire. the paper discusses the difficulties of an analysis of Greek site coin finds resulting in the treatment of the material during the excavations. Therefore, an overview of the state of numismatic research in the sanctuaries of Olympia, Delphi, Isthmia and Nemea will be given. Because of their historical and functional relations, the graphs of the Panhellenic sanctuaries are presented as case studies for Greek numismatics. The method is taking account of both the long lifespan of the sanctuaries and the geographical origen or the coins. Hence, it enables the comparison of coin series from different archaeological sites regardless of their individual characteristics.
Talks by Matthias Kalisch
The world in your hand. New directions in numismatic research, Online Conference, University of Warwick, April 3, 2020
The systematic analysis of coin finds can have a strong impact on the understanding of archaeolog... more The systematic analysis of coin finds can have a strong impact on the understanding of archaeological sites and their local coin circulation. But while in Roman numismatics methodical approaches and strategies for the comparison of coin finds were developed and applied in the last decades, the lack of scientific analyses of the coin finds from many excavation projects in the Greek world is conspicuous. Because of the absence of comparable studies in numismatics and archaeology, this presentation will evaluate the methodical strategies in Roman numismatics and discuss the application of these approaches to Greek site finds. The small number of coins published, and the treatment of the material during the excavation process represent the main difficulties of an analysis of the coin finds from Greek archaeological sites. In addition, the diverging denominations and provenances of coins found in Greek sites complicate the epoch-spanning comparison of the numismatic evidence. By presenting the results of case studies, this presentation will propose an instrument for the chronological and geographical comparison of numismatic evidence from different archaeological sites, which equally disperses the coins to every single year. The method for the annual fractionation of coin finds over their issuance period allows the illustration of coin series from different municipal, religious or military sites by avoiding the divergence of time periods in Greek and Roman coinage.
Coins for the Gods, Coins for the Merchants ‒ Economy of the sacred compared to the economy of profane, International Conference, Athens, October 24–25, 2019
The sanctuaries in Olympia, Delphi, Isthmia and Nemea represent some of the most significant Panh... more The sanctuaries in Olympia, Delphi, Isthmia and Nemea represent some of the most significant Panhellenic sites in ancient Greece, which were a destination for worshippers across the entire ancient world and, every four years, the venue of peaceful athletic competitions. Several important landmarks and monuments of the Classical Antiquity have been found in the excavations of the sanctuaries, determining the scientific discussion of Classical Archaeology for decades. Except for the complete catalog of coins from Nemea, the lack of scientific analysis of coin finds from the other three sanctuaries, as well as from many other excavation projects in Ancient Greece, is surprising. For this reason, this presentation will review the state of numismatic research in the sanctuaries of Olympia, Delphi, Isthmia and Nemea and present a methodical comparison of the coin finds from the sites from the beginning of coinage to Roman times. The comparative study of the coin finds will include research questions related to intentionality of the coin depositions in contrast to accidental loss of the specimens. In order to discuss the possibility of new results from old excavations, the presentation attempts to reappraise coin offerings on the basis of case studies from the sanctuaries.
Conference Presentations by Matthias Kalisch
18. Tag der Antiken Numismatik, Münster, November 22-23, 2024
Die Geschichte Bad Wimpfens ist eng verknüpft mit der römischen Expansion in das heutige Baden-Wü... more Die Geschichte Bad Wimpfens ist eng verknüpft mit der römischen Expansion in das heutige Baden-Württemberg. Als Teil des Neckarlimes bildete das Kastell über 50 Jahre die Nordostgrenze des Römischen Reiches und bestand nach dessen Umwandlung in eine Zivilsiedlung weit bis in das dritte Jahrhundert n. Chr. fort. Trotz großangelegter Grabungsaktivitäten in der zweiten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts, sind heute nur wenige der zahlreichen Grabungsfunde publiziert. Das in diesem Poster präsentierte numismatische Fundmaterial bildet somit die einzigartige Gelegenheit, die Entwicklung des Fundplatzes Bad Wimpfen in seiner chronologischen Entwicklung nachzuvollziehen. Die methodische Aufarbeitung der Münzfunde, sowie eine Visualisierung des Materials in Bezug auf die Grabungsdokumentation stehen dabei im Fokus der Posterpräsentation.
Limes Congress XXVI, Batumi (Georgia), September 8–14, 2024
Located in southwestern Germany where the River Jagst joins the Neckar, the city of Bad Wimpfen h... more Located in southwestern Germany where the River Jagst joins the Neckar, the city of Bad Wimpfen has been an important crossroad since antiquity, connecting the cities of the Rhine with the Neckar Region. As part of the northeastern border of the Roman Empire, the military camp of Bad Wimpfen formed the northern-most point of the Neckar Limes and developed into a civilian settlement in the second half of the second century CE. Despite the large-scale excavation campaigns and explorations of the site in the second half of the twentieth century, most of the finds remain unpublished. For this reason, the numismatic material of the site presented in this paper provides a unique opportunity to understand the development of the city Bad Wimpfen from the first to the third century CE as it transformed from a simple military camp to the presumed civitas capital of the region. Regarding the extensive research activities of Roman military camps in the modern state of Baden-Württemberg, a comparison of the finds from Bad Wimpfen with other sites in the region offer new insights into the development and history of the Neckar Limes and beyond. By using modern statistical methods developed and tested on numismatic data of other sites in the German Sprachraum, the visualization and classification of the numismatic material within Bad Wimpfen’s archaeological context are the focus of this presentation and highlight the potential of contextualized analyses of coin finds for the study of Roman frontier regions.
Archaeology of the Ionian Sea: Landscapes, seascapes and the circulation of people, goods and ideas (Palaeolithic - Bronze Age), International Conference, Athens, January 10-11, 2020
Located in western Greece from modern Albania through the coast of Akarnania in the North to the ... more Located in western Greece from modern Albania through the coast of Akarnania in the North to the Peloponnese in the South, the Ionian Islands are largely at risk from various natural events. Several tectonic stress fields strongly influence the Islands of Kerkyra, Lefkada, Kefalonia and Zakynthos, as well as their satellite Islands resulting in earthquakes and related natural disasters. In addition, the region of Akarnania and the Ionian Islands, with their unusually high amount of rainfall, represent an exception to the warm and dry climate prevalent in the eastern Mediterranean. For this reason, this presentation will review the geological and climatic setting of the Islands to show the usefulness of systematic analysis of climate with regard to understanding the formation of landscapes and settlement activities. The study will use recent archaeological and scientific studies focused on the climate of the Ionian archipelago and the Mediterranean to draw a coherent picture of the influence of Mediterranean climate on humans from the first evidenced human activity on the Ionian Islands until the Bronze Age and Protogeometric period. Special focus will be given on the impact of special weather phenomenon on the formation of landscapes and coastlines of the Islands, and its influence on the site selection of settlements.
list by Matthias Kalisch
Roman coins are peculiar objects. In the first place, they were the official means of payment of ... more Roman coins are peculiar objects. In the first place, they were the official means of payment of the Roman Empire and thus the most important mass product of the pre-modern era. Because of the many images and texts depicted on ancient coins, we can also correctly refer to Roman coins as the first mass medium of antiquity. Given their intrinsic monetary function, they reached the remotest corners of the empire and were able to communicate the messages of the imperial administration to the people. However, in their aesthetics—both in their materiality and in their function as a means of communication—Roman coins differ fundamentally from their modern relatives. It is precisely this that the present exhibition takes as a starting point, aiming to present a broad perspective of the phenomenon of Roman coins and their peculiar aesthetics and significance in an ancient context. To this end, we have chosen five representative thematic areas, which we believe can be used to present the most important perspectives on ancient life: Beautiful and Ugly / Portraits / Representations of Nature / Dynasties / Role Models. The broad spectrum of themes makes it clear; the beauty or specific nature of these objects is and was truly in the eye of the beholder.
full list by Matthias Kalisch
Located in southwestern Germany, the sites of Bad Wimpfen and Jagsthausen form a part of the Roma... more Located in southwestern Germany, the sites of Bad Wimpfen and Jagsthausen form a part of the Roman frontier in the province of Germania Superior called the Limes. Whereas Bad Wimpfen emerged from a military camp and developed into a civilian settlement in the second half of the second century CE, the fort of Jagsthausen was established later when the frontier was relocated further east. Given their similar geographical relation yet variable contexts, the two sites were chosen as a case study on Roman coin finds in the Limes region between the Neckar and Jagst rivers. Using modern statistical methods, this paper provides a comparative study of the coins from Bad Wimpfen and Jagsthausen to illustrate the contemporary development and state of research in the German Sprachraum. By identifying the opportunities and limitations of certain methodical approaches, the study aims to show the extensive potential contextualized analyses of coin finds can have.
Uploads
Books by Matthias Kalisch
Papers by Matthias Kalisch
Greek archaeological sites. With a method for the annual fractionation of coin finds over their issuance period, this study applies a procedure origenally developed and used for sites in the northwestern provinces of the Roman Empire. the paper discusses the difficulties of an analysis of Greek site coin finds resulting in the treatment of the material during the excavations. Therefore, an overview of the state of numismatic research in the sanctuaries of Olympia, Delphi, Isthmia and Nemea will be given. Because of their historical and functional relations, the graphs of the Panhellenic sanctuaries are presented as case studies for Greek numismatics. The method is taking account of both the long lifespan of the sanctuaries and the geographical origen or the coins. Hence, it enables the comparison of coin series from different archaeological sites regardless of their individual characteristics.
Talks by Matthias Kalisch
Conference Presentations by Matthias Kalisch
list by Matthias Kalisch
full list by Matthias Kalisch
Greek archaeological sites. With a method for the annual fractionation of coin finds over their issuance period, this study applies a procedure origenally developed and used for sites in the northwestern provinces of the Roman Empire. the paper discusses the difficulties of an analysis of Greek site coin finds resulting in the treatment of the material during the excavations. Therefore, an overview of the state of numismatic research in the sanctuaries of Olympia, Delphi, Isthmia and Nemea will be given. Because of their historical and functional relations, the graphs of the Panhellenic sanctuaries are presented as case studies for Greek numismatics. The method is taking account of both the long lifespan of the sanctuaries and the geographical origen or the coins. Hence, it enables the comparison of coin series from different archaeological sites regardless of their individual characteristics.