Abstract
ABSTRACT The main objective of this study is to reconstruct the pre-Roman topography under the city of Aachen, Germany. Aachen has a 2000-year settlement history, and enormous amounts of anthropogenic deposits have accumulated during this time; these deposits are thus also visualized. The key data used are archeological excavation records and geological drilling documents that contain elevation and spatial data, and the Kriging algorithm was used to interpolate these data to produce two high-resolution raster datasets showing both the paleotopography and thickness of anthropogenic deposits. The paleo-DEM was then employed to reconstruct the course of former streams running through the study area. This research provides new insights into the topographic preconditions encountered by the first Roman settlers. As the accumulation of anthropogenic deposits in distinct areas of the city is linked to specific historical periods, the results also reveal the developmental stages of the ancient city.
Highlights
The main objective of this study is to reconstruct the pre-Roman topography under the city of Aachen, Germany
As the accumulation of anthropogenic deposits in distinct areas of the city is linked to specific historical periods, the results reveal the developmental stages of the ancient city
The reconstruction of the paleo-landscape and topography in urban areas is challenging, as such areas have often been impacted by humans for several centuries
Summary
The reconstruction of the paleo-landscape and topography in urban areas is challenging, as such areas have often been impacted by humans for several centuries. A wide range of geoarcheological and geophysical methods can be applied to reconstruct the paleo-topography (Sarris, Kalayci, Moffat, & Manataki, 2018; Van Lanen, Kosian, Groenwoudt, & Jansma, 2014; Westley, Plets, & Quinn, 2014), and surface geophysical methods, such as ground-penetrating radar and geoelectrics, can be used to detect and interpret subsurface deposits and provide the paleo-topography (Rapp & Hill, 2005). In urban areas that are densely built up, use of such methods is limited, and geophysical surveys are prone to failure (Rapp & Hill, 2005). Due to continuing settlement activity over centuries or even millennia, the stratigraphy underneath many cities is complex and permeated by interfering structures, such as remnants of historical settlements, power supply lines, sewers, and architectural remnants
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
