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Assessment of damaged archaeological sites suggests that separate conservation concepts are needed

The rebuilt walls of the small fort of Nettersheim on the Steinrütsch River could not withstand the water. In addition, one of the rebuilt gate areas had been poorly cleaned and was partially sagging, leading to settlement cracks. Credit: University of Cologne

An analysis of damage to archaeological sites documented after heavy rains in parts of Germany in July 2021 shows that several factors increase the risk of damage to archaeological sites from heavy rains and flooding. Ta. For example, the age of the site, the current use of the terrain, or the slope of the respective slope can influence the risk. However, the process involved is too complex to predict the progression of damage. Future protection measures require customized solutions.

This is one of the conclusions reached by an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Cologne, the LVR Rhineland Archeology and Monuments Conservation (LVR-ABR) and RWTH Aachen University. The results were published in the journal Environment Sciences Europe under the title ‘Assessment of the impact of the 2021 flood event on the archaeological heritage of the Rhineland (Germany)’.

In addition to asking whether it was possible to predict damage to archaeological sites from heavy rain or flooding, the researchers wanted to know if and how such damage could be assessed more quickly in the future.

The study is based on data collected in 2022-2023 in the Eifel, Wolleifel and Bergisches Land regions as part of the LVR-ABR Flood Damage Register 2021 project. The heavy rains and floods that occurred on 14 and 15 July 2021 had devastating effects on people, nature and infrastructure that continue to be felt to this day. Ruins, including part of a former hydroelectric power plant, were also damaged.

The project assessed damage to 538 archaeological sites in flood-prone areas. Analysis of the data showed that 19% of surveyed sites experienced flood damage. Most of the affected sites are relatively recent and are associated with the use of hydroelectric power from the medieval to modern times.

Damage was mainly caused by foundation and stone erosion, floating debris, and runoff. Relevant damage data and recommendations were sent to each municipality. These reports serve as the basis for applying for aid funding for recovery and protection measures.

A key part of the published research involves analyzing which factors increased the risk of damage to the site. The research team used statistical methods to test archaeological and newly generated geographic data for correlations between damage and individual or multiple factors.

Ruins require separate protection concepts

Following reports from local residents, the remains of a Roman ruin, previously only known from the surface, have been discovered in the newly created embankment profile of Orbach near Euskirchen. Credit: University of Cologne

This showed that individual factors, such as the age of the site, the current use of the landscape, or the general slope slope, were statistically correlated with the occurrence of damage. However, a meaningful combination of parameters is required to reliably predict damage cases, for example in areas that have not yet been surveyed or affected.

The analysis, which includes several factors, shows that although the local topography plays a very important role in the occurrence of damage, the causes of damage in the entire study area are very complex, and it is difficult to derive such a set of parameters. This was shown to be impossible. Still, this result suggests that further insights may be gained with larger samples from more topographically homogeneous areas, or by focusing on individual, particularly frequently affected, types of ground monuments. is shown.

Researchers at RWTH Aachen University also see the potential to integrate hydrological modeling of individual river conditions to improve predictions of damage to future terrestrial monuments.

Another aspect of this research focuses on the potential of airborne laser scanning (ALS) data for detecting flood damage. Compare land surface elevation data before and after a flood to identify changes. This methodological approach has already been tried at other sites and has clear advantages in areas that are difficult to access.

However, this method does not replace extensive and time-consuming field work in the field. This is because ALS techniques cannot identify, for example, very minor damage or damage that is repaired immediately after a flood event. Only about 50% of the damage cases observed in the study could be identified using the remote sensing method employed, which is based on ALS data obtained from a national survey.

Dr. Isabel Schmidt from the University of Cologne said: “The results of this project demonstrate both the benefits, possibilities and limitations of geostatistical data analysis and the use of ALS data in heavy rain and flood disasters.”

“In particular, the diversity of archaeological sites and the diversity of natural conditions in the Rhineland pose challenges to the development of uniform damage predictions and guidelines for the protection of archaeological sites.”

The researchers say the empirical data obtained is nevertheless suitable for determining individual protective measures in the field. Given climate change and heavy rains that may occur more frequently, this information will be important for the development of prevention and disaster protection plans.

Further information: Isabell Schmidt et al., Assessment of the impact of the 2021 flood event on the archaeological heritage of the Rhineland (Germany), European Environmental Science (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12302-024-00991-w

Provided by University of Cologne

Citation: Assessment of damaged archaeological sites suggests the need for separate conservation concepts (10 October 2024) https://phys.org/news/2024-10-archaeological-sites-require Retrieved October 10, 2024 from -individual-concepts.html

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