A comprehensive classification of Earthquake Archaeological Effects (EAE) in archaeoseismology: Application to ancient remains of Roman and Mesoamerican cultures

Abstract

One of the key tasks in archaeoseismolo`gy is to test whether the recorded building damage in ancient cities can be related to ancient earthquakes. Archaeologists often claim abandonment, ruin or war instead of natural causes to explain the recorded damage in archaeological findings. This work proposes a comprehensive classification of Earthquake Archaeological Effects (EAE) based on the seismic deformation of buildings and monuments within urban areas of ancient cities. Accordingly, the proposed EAE classification differentiates the seismic deformation on the structure of buildings in two groups: from transient shaking and from permanent ground deformation. The first type of EAE corresponds to fractured walls and fallen key stones in arches, for example. The second type of EAE are tilted walls and shock breakouts of flagstones due to basement failure. To illustrate the proposed EAE classification, examples of earthquake damage on ancient buildings are described: Baelo Claudia and Tolmo de Minateda cities (Roman and Visigothic Periods, 1st–6th century AD, respectively, South of Spain) and Teotihuacán and Tarascan sites (Early Classic ca. IVth century AD, and Upper Post-Classic Period XIII th century AD, Central Mexico).