Geographical implications of population and settlement growth in Late Antique Palestine

Abstract

Late Antiquity (second–seventh centuries C.E.) is considered to be the most populated period in the history of Palestine before. This article deals with the reasons and mechanisms that allowed this population growth. Most scholars believe that the population growth should be attributed to the theological change that took place during the fourth century, when Palestine became the ‘Holy Land’. Based on recent archaeological surveys and excavations, it is argued that the reason for this unique phenomenon is rooted in the fact that Palestine came directly under Roman rule and underwent a process of indirect Romanization. The local inhabitants took advantage of the environmental circumstances provided by the Roman ruler to dedicate their time to nurturing their culture, settlements, and economic situation. Cash crops such as grapes and olives were becoming increasing widespread. Vast areas of wasteland, previously considered unsuitable for agriculture, were becoming densely cultivated. Uncultivated slopes, enclaves of poor-quality soil or marshes, semi-arid patches and desert areas, all uninhabited and uncultivated before Late Antiquity, were now added to the arable land.