COASTAL HINTERLANDS

The study explores patterns of interconnections between the coastal zone of the Corinthian Gulf and its surrounding hinterlands, between c. 600 and 300 B.C. Archaeological remains point to a substantial expansion in site numbers during this period, and the growth of identifiable central place sites in connection with coast-hinterland routes. Movements through these routes are further traced through both the material record and written sources. Coastal areas acted as important gateways for exchange systems linked to diverse hinterland environments and economies, and interaction patterns emphasise the importance of microregional connectivity in regards to economic and political dynamics._,