David Martinez-Chico

David Martinez-Chico is a Research Fellow at the University of Valencia's Department of Prehistory, Archaeology and Ancient History within the Faculty of Geography and History. He currently holds an Atracció de Talent Fellowship at the University of Barcelona (2025-2026) and previously received the Margarita Salas Fellowship at the Universities of Valencia and Girona (2022-2024). His research focuses on ancient numismatics, Mediterranean archaeology, and Roman military-economic systems.

Dr. Martinez-Chico earned his PhD in Numismatics from the University of Valencia in 2020 with the thesis "Los tesoros imperiales de Hispania," supervised by Dr. Pere Pau Ripollès Alegre. He completed his Master's degree in Archaeology at the University of Valencia in 2017 and his Bachelor's degree in History at the University of Murcia in 2016. His academic journey reflects a deep specialization in Mediterranean historical archaeology with increasing methodological sophistication.

Martinez-Chico's research interests span Classical Archaeology, Ancient Numismatics (particularly Greek and Roman), and Historical Materialism. His work examines the intersection of coinage, military organization, and economic systems in the ancient Mediterranean world, with particular focus on how coins, riches, and lands were distributed among soldiers and warriors from Late Pharaonic through Early Medieval times. His publications reveal intricate connections between monetary systems and military logistics across the Mediterranean basin and its peripheries, from Central Europe to the Sahara margins.

His recent publications demonstrate methodological innovation, including the development of the AMALIA algorithm for lead isotope analysis, which has enhanced understanding of Roman metallurgical practices. Analysis of coin hoards from Spain, Yemen, Iraq, and Turkey provides evidence for trade networks, military campaigns, and economic practices that challenge traditional narratives about cultural isolation in antiquity.

• Atracció de Talent Fellow at the University of Barcelona (2025-2026)
• Margarita Salas Fellow at the Universities of Valencia and Girona (2022-2024)
• Editor of "Coins, Riches and Lands. Paying for Military Manpower in Antiquity and Early Medieval Times" (2025)
• Co-author of over 50 scholarly publications in international journals

Martinez-Chico actively collaborates with international researchers on numismatic and archaeological projects. His work on clipped siliquae in Southern Spain has transformed understanding of late Roman monetary practices, while his research on Byzantine solidi hoards provides crucial evidence for Mediterranean economic connections during political transitions. His interdisciplinary approach combines traditional archaeological methods with advanced scientific techniques to reconstruct ancient economic systems.

As a member of the GRAM Archaeological Research Group on the Mediterranean, Martinez-Chico contributes to regional archaeological projects while maintaining international connections. His current research examines the relationship between military organization and economic systems in Late Antiquity, with particular focus on the transformation of Roman military pay structures during the 4th-5th centuries CE.