Shipshape and Roman fashion: space at sea in late antiquity

This chapter examines the overlooked aspects of the phenomenology of space and architecture aboard ships in Late Antiquity. It sheds light on the implications this perspective can have on the way we study maritime archaeology through drawing on the concept of lived space to leverage material evidence, artistic depictions, and literary sources to reconstruct the ship as a multifaceted cultural entity. It investigates how everyday activities were influenced by the ship’s material realities, ultimately shaping human behaviour. Through an archaeological case study and a comparison with ancient representations, the chapter unveils the architectural and social organisation of these vessels. It explores various contexts, including religious practices, domestic arrangements, social interactions, and foodways, revealing how these routines were intertwined with the ship’s spatial design. Through doing so, it offers a new look into the everyday spaces of ships in Late Antiquity as well as ways we can gain fresh insights into maritime society in the ancient world.