IMC 2025: Sessions
Session 646: Routes Reimagined: Digital Methods in Historical Mobility Analysis
Tuesday 8 July 2025, 11:15-12:45
| Organiser: | Laury Sarti, Historisches Seminar, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg |
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| Moderator/Chair: | Laurin Herberich, Historisches Seminar, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg |
| Paper 646-a | Algorithms as a Means to Study Historical Routes: Reconstructing Ancient Roads with Modern Pathfinding (Language: English) Index terms: Computing in Medieval Studies, Economics - Trade, Geography and Settlement Studies, Historiography - Medieval |
| Paper 646-b | A Structural Analysis of the Route Network in Late Medieval Northern Germany with Digital Methods (Language: English) Index terms: Computing in Medieval Studies, Daily Life, Economics - Trade, Geography and Settlement Studies |
| Paper 646-c | Mapping Mobility Patterns: Digital Approaches to Physical Mobility through Medieval Letters (Language: English) Index terms: Computing in Medieval Studies, Daily Life, Economics - Trade, Geography and Settlement Studies |
| Abstract | This session explores the intersection of digital methodologies and historical route analysis, focusing on the transport networks of late medieval societies. The first paper discusses the innovative application of pathfinding algorithms, such as Dijkstra and A*, to reconstruct ancient roads within the Frankish-German empire, providing insights into their transport infrastructure. The second paper presents work conducted within the framework of the digital Viabundus project, employing network analysis to investigate the influence of institutional frameworks on northern Germany’s road network from 1350 to 1650, emphasising the role of staple markets and toll stations. The third paper examines medieval letters to reconstruct everyday mobility, utilising digital tools to enhance our understanding of societal impacts across various contexts. |