Digging up the past can change the ground beneath it

Archaeological excavation uncovers the past but also changes the landscape that has preserved sites for centuries or millennia. These changes influence water flow, soil erosion and the stability of exposed remains. Researchers from Istanbul Technical University and the U.S. have shown how computer models can assist archaeologists in understanding and planning for these effects, especially regarding erosion risks. Using an Early Bronze Age settlement in Türkiye as a case study, they reconstructed the landscape before and after excavation.