The archaeology of earthquakes: The application of adaptive cycles to seismically-affected communities in late medieval Europe

The study of archaeseismology (or ‘earthquake archaeology’) focuses mainly on the analysis of earthquakes at an archaeological scale, either in order to reconstruct the parameters of past seismic events (ie. their intensity, chronology, magnitude, epicentre, etc) or else to measure their impact on archaeological sites (Galadini et al., 2006; Ambraseys, 2006; Rodríguez-Pascua et al., 2011). This approach has its critics because archaeological methodologies such as excavation, field survey and remote sensing, or standard archaeological approaches to context recording, material culture and the integration of other sources of information such as history or ethnography are often laid aside (Jusseret, 2014). In short, archaeoseismology reflects far better the interests of palaeoseimologists than archaeologists (Caputo and Helly, 2008; Silva et al., 2011; Sintubin, 2011) and can be perceived as an ancillary discipline relegated to the gathering of historical seismic catalogues (Caputo and Helly, 2008; Guidoboni and Ebel, 2009). Among the topics less well studied are those tactics elaborated by past societies to cope with the damage caused by earthquakes and to increase their preparedness for future seismic events. In this paper we apply resilience theory (Holling and Gunderson, 2002; Redman and Kinzig, 2003; Redman, 2005) which emphasises the chaîne opératoire (‘chain of actions’) put in place by medieval communities and we use a modern risk assessment workflow to assess the range of the strategies adopted (Smith and Petley, 2009). In particular, the importance of a multi-disciplinary perspective is underlined, one which integrates diverse sources of information ranging from archaeological to geological, historical, architectural, iconographical and ethnographical data. A unifying approach which combines evidence from the humanities and natural sciences in a common framework is fundamental in order to evaluate fully the diversity of responses adopted. Illustrative case studies are drawn from well-documented events for which fresh evidence has been gathered for the Armedea project (Archaeology of medieval earthquakes in Europe, 1000–1550 AD; Forlin et al., 2015)

Historic rammed earth structures in Spain : construction techniques and a preliminary classification.

Conservation and repair of historic rammed earth sites should only be undertaken if there is a good understanding of the consequences of any intervention technique. Until recently there has been little interest in the characterisation of historic rammed earth construction, yet it is only with this understanding that successful conservation strategies can be adopted. A survey of around 60 historic rammed earth sites in Spain constructed between 967AD and 1837AD has recently been undertaken. While all the sites are built primarily in rammed earth, the construction techniques and state of repair vary greatly. The high density of historic rammed earth structures in the Iberian peninsula is likely due to the Muslim presence there from the 8th century onwards. Initial expansion, a period of civil war and eventual defeat by Christians led to the construction of a large number of fortifications, many constructed in rammed earth. A famous example is the Alhambra at Granada, but there are hundreds of smaller sites throughout Spain. By the end of the 15th century Christians had replaced Muslims through most of Spain, but rammed earth continued to be used in both vernacular and monumental architecture. Examples of historic construction techniques are presented and common features of historic rammed earth construction are identified. A classification is outlined and a clear development of the rammed earth technique is observed

Luminescence dating of sediment mounds: associated with shaft and gallery irrigation systems

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques, supported by geomorphological analysis, have been applied to date the construction of shaft and gallery irrigation systems, more commonly referred to as qanats, falaj and foggara. The approach developed was tested on four hydraulic systems located in semi-arid landscape settings, three in Murcia, Spain, and the fourth in the Sus Tekna region, Morocco. Excavation of the characteristic sediment mounds that surround each ventilation shaft enabled a detailed examination of strata containing upcast deposits and their assignment to the main stages in the construction and use of the hydraulic feature. OSL techniques with single grain resolution applied to samples taken from the key strata provided age estimates for their deposition on the mound and, from these, dating of the construction and use of the system. Of the four irrigation systems analysed, the OSL dates indicated that the youngest had been constructed in the 19th century AD and the oldest, located in Murcia, was dated to the Roman period. The latter is of archaeological significance because the introduction of this particular form of hydraulic technology to Spain is widely identified as an Islamic innovation of the early 8th century AD

Analysis of Tapial structures for modern use and conservation

Tapial is an ancient form of rammed earth wall construction found in many parts of the world. In medieval Spain, Tapial was used in the construction of some large and complex structures, some many-storied. That these buildings remain standing (many remaining in use) is an indication of the durability of this form of construction, and is perhaps related to the climatic conditions found in central Spain. This paper describes an engineering study into an important structure in the Aragon region, significant parts of which are constructed in medieval Tapial, as well as other forms of construction. The aim of the study is both to improve understanding of the nature of this structure and to provide guidance on methods of preservation and new construction

ArMedEa project: archaeology of medieval earthquakes in Europe (1000-1550 AD). First research activities

This paper introduces the research of the Armedea project. Armedea (Archaeology of medieval earthquakes in Europe, 1000-1550 AD) is a medieval archaeology project undertaken at the Department of Archaeology of Durham University which analyses archaeological evidence related to late medieval seismic-affected contexts at a European scale. This project is therefore focused on both earthquake effects on archaeological sites, their standing buildings and environment, and the archaeological evidence that reveals the response of medieval societies in terms of risk reduction, protection and resilience. A first preview of GIS analysis of seismic activity impact on medieval societies and fieldwork activities carried out in Italy, Cyprus and Azores (Portugal) is presented here. This research is supported by a Marie Curie Intra European Fellowship within the 7th European Community Framework Programme

Paisaje y señorío: la casa conventual de Ambel (Zaragoza). Arqueología, arquitectura e historia de las órdenes religiosas del Temple y del Hospital

This volume considers the archaeological, architectural and historical information for a preceptory of the Military Orders in NE Spain between the 11th to the 19th centuries. Among the themes examined are the evidence for Templar and Hospitaller household life and conventual organisation, industry and agriculture,judicial and economic roles, village morphology, standing building recording and phasing, decorative schemes, furniture, clothing, diet, health and the medieval and later graffiti.This detailed study is among the most complete for any building belonging to the Military Orders in western Europe