PhD Title and Description: The Transport of Sculptures in the Mediterranean Sea during Classical Antiquity.
This PhD research examines the transport of freestanding sculptures in the Mediterranean Sea throughout Classical Antiquity. From the early 19th century onwards various ancient marble and bronze statues have been discovered from the context of surveyed shipwrecks or out of context as isolated finds. Many scholars have analysed several of those finds mainly from an art historical perspective basing the interpretation of their underwater deposition only in possible hypotheses. The present study though examines this sculptural material from a maritime archaeological perspective to comprehend the reasons for freestanding sculptures being on board ancient merchant vessels and consequently deposited in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Through the direct examination of the relevant archaeological material, the existing publications and reports of specific case studies from different regions of the Mediterranean and from different periods of Classical Antiquity, this maritime activity is going to be interpreted anew. The nature of the transport of freestanding sculptures is going to be assessed as well as the naval and structural characteristics of the ships carrying them. Therefore, different patterns and distinct reasons for the transport and trade of freestanding statuary in the Mediterranean during different periods of Classical Antiquity are going to be detected.
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Representative location of research: Southampton (at least for now that I am doing broad research from here?)
