The Third Side of the Coin: Using Google Earth to Visualize Numismatic Data
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Abstract
This article presents one digital approach to ancient numismatics. The proposed methodology maps geo-referenced quantities of coin finds within the platform of Google Earth – a free virtual globe available through the Internet. Especially for the uninitiated scholar, Google Earth efficiently visualizes both the spatial and chronological distribution of thousands of coins and provides an intuitive and interactive space for exploring regional and empire-wide patterns in their movement. While the practical applications of this methodology are many, this article focuses on an ongoing study of Antioch-on-the-Orontes in northern Syria and its regional evolution after Roman annexation. This project draws upon Google Earth as an invaluable first step in synthesizing the wealth of disparate coin data available for the city. After outlining the methodology to achieve such a visualization, this article highlights several promising patterns revealed by Google Earth in the dataset.
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References
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Supplementary Content
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Illustration 1
DescriptionA screenshot of geo-referenced quantities of coin finds in Google Earth Pro.
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Illustration 2
DescriptionA screenshot of the Google Earth Pro platform with the Places panel highlighted. Individual data points can be organized into folders in order to control what information is visualized.
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Illustration 3.a
DescriptionThe following three maps in Google Earth Pro illustrate the changing distribution patterns of coins minted at Antioch across three major periods. a) The distribution of Antiochene coins during the Seleucid period (c. 223-91 BCE).
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Illustration 3.b
DescriptionThe following three maps in Google Earth Pro illustrate the changing distribution patterns of coins minted at Antioch across three major periods.
b) The distribution of Antiochene coins during the Roman imperial period (c. 30-235 CE).
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Illustration 3.c
DescriptionThe following three maps in Google Earth Pro illustrate the changing distribution patterns of coins minted at Antioch across three major periods.
c) The distribution of Antiochene coins during the late third century CE through late antique period (c. 235-423 CE).
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Illustration 4
DescriptionA screenshot in Google Earth Pro of the distribution by origin of Roman era coins found through excavation at Antioch. The three highest quantities of coins are highlighted: those from Rome, those from Antioch, and those from the southern Levant.
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Illustration 5
DescriptionThe geographical spread by origin of foreign coins found at Antioch as visualized in Google Earth Pro.
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Illustration 6
DescriptionThe roughly weighted distribution pattern of provincial SC coins as visualized in Google Earth Pro. All orange circles represent coins dating to the first century CE. The teal circles represent provincial SC coins dating to the second and third century CE. Inset of a provincial SC coin image is used with permission of wildwinds.com and George Clegg.
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Illustration 7
DescriptionThe roughly weighted distribution of Antiochene civic coins as visualized in Google Earth Pro. The circles are weighted to relative quantities. Inset of Antiochene civic coin image used with permission of wildwinds.com (ex Pegasi Numismatics Auction 140, lot 218).
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