Anna Usacheva has received a PhD in Classical Philology in 2011 at Moscow State University and is now a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Helsinki.Emilia Mataix Ferrándiz is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Helsinki and a Research Fellow at the Käte Hamburger Kolleg Münster. She has a PhD in Roman law and a second PhD in Roman Archaeology.

This issue takes an inclusive approach to the multidimensional topic of Mediterranean movement, as the themes to be discussed include migration, trade, travelling objects, knowledge exchange, and dissemination of books. The case studies demonstrate the impact of movement on the processes of identity building, whether social, cultural, or religious.Apart from textual sources, the articles included in this issue explore the movement of objects that are characterised by temporal continuity, embodying a prior existence with lingering effects. As objects transform through time and space, so do the values and functions attributed to them. The process of mapping out itineraries of value in the realm of the material allows us to grasp the nature of a given social formation through the shape and meaning taken on by them. It also provides insights into the nature of dynamic synergy between the world of material objects and the realm of beliefs, knowledge, and identities.