Zhou, Siyan; (2025) Model-Based Approaches to Large-Scale Regional Interaction in First Millennium BCE Eurasia. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

Text Full PhD Thesis Accepted Version.pdf - Accepted Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff until 1 October 2026. Download (54MB)

Abstract

The first millennium BCE in Eurasia was a time of immense change, marked by increasingly complex interaction networks. This research delves into these dynamic patterns, exploring how different regions connected and influenced each other across four main domains: politics and the military, ideology and religion, trade and exchange, and subsistence and economy. By analysing data from key sites across Eurasia and examining connectivity over three distinct time periods, this study paints a detailed picture of ancient societies' intricate networks. It challenges the grand narratives, offering a more nuanced view of how regions interacted. The use of advanced methodologies, including multidimensional scaling, hierarchical clustering, and network analysis, allows for a thorough exploration of these ancient connections. Visualization of similarity patterns reveals the diverse and changing nature of interregional interactions, highlighting periods of stability and flux in different socio-cultural domains. This research not only advances our understanding of the ancient world but also showcases the potential of approaching large-scale patterns and narrative via archaeology evidence. Despite limitations arising from potential data inaccuracies and the broad scope of the study, its findings provide valuable insights into the often ‘non-uniform’ interaction dynamics that shaped first millennium BCE Eurasia.

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