Over 100 archaeological survey projects – of various kinds – have taken place in Greece over the last quarter century, making it one of the most intensively studied countries in Europe from the perspective of landscape archaeology, defined by various types of interest in settlement patterns and human–environmental interaction at spatial scales beyond the individual site. This article examines the practice of survey archaeology in Greece over the last 25 years, with a particular focus on projects that have taken place in the last 10 years. More broadly, it presents large-scale trends in surveys since their coalescence as a systematic form of archaeological research in the late 1950s, based on a dataset of 204 individual projects, mapped and classified according to type, spatial scale, methods, and chronology. Surveys in the twenty-first century exhibit considerable variety in methods and goals, with many characterized by smaller spatial scales, the integration of various types of remote sensing, and a focus on archaeological sites; we see fewer of the large-scale, diachronic regional surveys that became widespread in the later twentieth century. This variety – along with the increasing production and availability of high-quality, multi-modal data – should be applauded, though regional analysis remains a critical strength and important goal for landscape archaeologists in Greece. Lingering problems include publication lag, digital data availability and interoperability, and (occasional) over-emphasis on methodology as an end in and of itself, sometimes at the expense of historical and anthropological research questions. Promising developments for the future concern: (1) the investigation of landscapes that have received little attention from systematic surveys (highlands, mountains, forests, uninhabited islands), especially via remote sensing; (2) the publication, reanalysis, and interpretation of ‘legacy’ datasets; and (3) the integration of survey datasets across multiple scales to address ‘big-picture’ questions in the history and archaeology of Greece, as well as themes of wider significance.

A copper-alloy spear-shaped mount, found during excavations at the extramural settlement at Inveresk Roman fort, represents a rare British example of a beneficiarius lance symbol. Stylistic parallels are found among a corpus of personal ornaments used by soldiers of the beneficiarii and are typically restricted to sites on the German limes. This paper discusses the style and function of this object and what its presence reveals about Inveresk and its role in the administration and control of Roman Scotland.

Libya, a country in North Africa with vast arid regions, faces a serious water crisis. With less than 7.5 mm of rainfall each year and evaporation rates over 3,000 mm, water scarcity is a constant challenge. The country relies heavily on fossil groundwater – non-renewable underground reserves – leading to the depletion of aquifers and making water increasingly scarce. As a result, Libya has some of the lowest per-person freshwater availability in the world, with less than 200 cubic metres annually. Population growth, expanding cities and industrial development put further pressure on limited water resources, while overuse, pollution and environmental degradation worsen the situation. Projects like the Man-Made River, which transports water from the south to the north, aim to help but have not fully solved the problem. To secure water for the future, Libya needs a comprehensive, sustainable strategy based on principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). This approach involves carefully planning and managing water, land and related resources in a way that considers social, economic and environmental factors. Such efforts can improve efficiency, reduce waste and pollution and boost resilience against climate change. Addressing water scarcity also requires adopting sustainable practices such as collecting rainwater, treating and reusing wastewater, desalinating seawater and promoting water- efficient technologies. Combining these strategies with infrastructure improvements can help make the most of Libya’s water resources, protect the environment, improve people’s lives and utilize concepts like virtual water and water footprinting to bridge gaps and foster better water management. A holistic, sustainable approach rooted in IWRM principles is essential for tackling the root causes of Libya’s water crisis and building a secure water future.

A small group of late Roman ‘spoon-shaped’ objects with weapon terminals and a westerly distribution add to the growing evidence of ‘regionality’ in material culture within Roman Britain. While their function remains uncertain, the presence of weapon-shaped terminals can be seen alongside the increasing numbers of model objects recorded from the province.

This paper seeks to summarise and critique aspects of our understanding of the famous monumental building inscriptions from the Antonine Wall, traditionally known as the distance slabs. It addresses the following themes: uniqueness; positioning; audience and message; disposal; units of measurement; records of distance; allocation of labour; order of construction; advance preparation; and location of the eastern terminus. It draws attention to some misconceptions and misinterpretations, and offers some new insights.

This paper examines what Seneca, Controuersiae 9.2 can contribute to understanding of the maiestas laws under Augustus and Tiberius. In this period, two distinct judicial spaces are known to have hosted cases tried under these laws: the traditional Republican standing court and the new senatorial court, which supplanted its predecessor at the latest from the years immediately following the accession of Tiberius. Yet in the same period a third judicial space acquired new prominence: the schoolrooms of the declaimers, in which teachers of rhetoric, their pupils and sundry adult performers gathered to participate in the fictional trial fοr maiestas laesa of L. Quinctius Flamininus. Moving between these spaces and considering the interrelationship of the different statutes that they employed, this paper shows how the superficially escapist practice of trying Flamininus could also offer a vehicle for reflection on the drastic legal and political changes taking place in the world outside. Building on close analysis of the contribution of Votienus Montanus, the paper seeks to reconstruct key provisions of the hypothetical late Augustan lex Iulia maiestatis. It finally details how many of those quoted in the exercise risked or actually underwent prosecution for maiestas or themselves launched such prosecutions.

Over the past decade, archaeobotanical research in Greece has undergone significant transformation, expanding both in scope and methodological sophistication since the publication of ‘Archaeobotany in Greece’ in the 2014 volume of Archaeological Reports. While earlier studies largely focused on agricultural practices in prehistoric northern Greece and Crete, recent research has broadened its thematic, chronological, and geographical horizons. Chronologically, research now spans from the Mesolithic and Bronze Age to historical periods, while geographically it increasingly incorporates underrepresented regions.

Methodologically, the field has embraced advanced analytical techniques including isotope analysis, geometric morphometry, experimental archaeobotany, ethnographic approaches, and extensive use of Scanning Electron Microscopy. These innovations have enabled more nuanced interpretations of plant use, subsistence strategies, and human–environment interactions. A landmark achievement has been the award of an ERC Consolidator Grant to Professor Soultana Maria Valamoti (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), which has elevated Greek archaeobotany onto the European and international stage.

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of archaeobotanical research in Greece over the last decade, focusing exclusively on plant macro remains (excluding charcoal). It surveys recent studies across prehistoric and historical periods, methodological advancements, regional investigations, and the contribution of ERC-funded projects. By highlighting both achievements and persistent challenges, the paper underscores the growing importance of archaeobotanical research for understanding past societies and for contributing to contemporary discussions on agriculture, sustainability, and resilience.

The proliferation of fortification in north-western Europe during Late Antiquity marks an important shift from the first to early third centuries. The fortified cities and military installations were joined by new fortified towns and rural and hilltop defences. While these defences have been extensively studied, there has been little engagement with this transformation at a statistical level. This article provides an overview of defence in the region using data collected across northeastern Gaul and the provinces of Germania Secunda and Germania Prima. It will highlight biases, distributions and key variations in the dataset and demonstrate regional variations in defence on a large scale.

The Ketton Mosaic depicts the duel between Achilles and Hector, the dragging of Hector’s body and its ransom. Despite initial associations with the Iliad in the press, this article demonstrates that the Ketton mosaic does not illustrate scenes from Homer but an alternative variant of the narrative which originated with Aeschylus and remained popular in Late Antiquity. The composition also reveals its debt to a pattern repertoire shared by artists working in media such as painted pottery, coin dies and silverware, which had been circulating in the ancient Mediterranean for many centuries. Through its textual and visual allusions, the Ketton mosaic makes a strong case for the engagement of fourth-century Roman Britain with the cultural currency of the wider empire.