EAA2021: Abstract

When Trier became the imperial residence in the 4th century AD, a large-scale building program began that permanently changed the appearance of the city. Among the most striking large-scale buildings were the imperial palace, the largest thermal complex north of the Alps and one of the largest churches of late antiquity. The supply of building materials was an enormous logistical challenge: about 2 million bricks were needed for the construction of the “Aula Palatina” alone. The demand for bricks was met by newly founded brickworks, though these production sites have not yet been located. Four large producers that met the demand in the 1st half of the 4th century are known by their stamps on the bricks. In the second half of the 4th century, additional producers can be identified and military bricks were also delivered from the more distant border regions at high transport costs. This may have been an indication that the demand could no longer be met in a suitable manner by private suppliers.
Based on current findings using experimental archaeology and process chain analysis, the effort in labor and time, as well as material resources for a brick kiln firing are quantified. The results will be contrasted with current research on brick production in the Trier region. The goal is to develop a quantification model for the procurement of ceramic building materials for the construction of the “Aula Palatina” and to identify future research needs.

Late Antiquity, quantification, brick and tile, experimental archaeology

 Abstract (PDF)

Thomas Schmidts¹

Michael Herdick¹