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

Forlin, Paolo; Gerrard, Christopher

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2017.06.030

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 18 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The dynamic interaction of ecological processes and historical contingency-including human action-results in irregular cycles of stability, change, and eventually transformation (109)(110)(111). The study of long-term adaptive cycles in the archaeological record has proved a fruitful avenue of research, highlighting continuities, tipping points, and loci of resilience in past socio-ecological systems, from the Pleistocene to the historical past (112)(113)(114). This approach is particularly useful for synthesizing archaeological data, contextualizing past human decision-making, and uncovering systemic relationships between natural and cultural transformations (115,116).…”

Section: The Archaeology Of Climate Changementioning

confidence: 99%

The archaeology of climate change: The case for cultural diversity

Burke

Peros

Wren

et al. 2021

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Anthropogenic climate change is currently driving environmental transformation on a scale and at a pace that exceeds historical records. This represents an undeniably serious challenge to existing social, political, and economic systems. Humans have successfully faced similar challenges in the past, however. The archaeological record and Earth archives offer rare opportunities to observe the complex interaction between environmental and human systems under different climate regimes and at different spatial and temporal scales. The archaeology of climate change offers opportunities to identify the factors that promoted human resilience in the past and apply the knowledge gained to the present, contributing a much-needed, long-term perspective to climate research. One of the strengths of the archaeological record is the cultural diversity it encompasses, which offers alternatives to the solutions proposed from within the Western agro-industrial complex, which might not be viable cross-culturally. While contemporary climate discourse focuses on the importance of biodiversity, we highlight the importance of cultural diversity as a source of resilience.

show abstract

Section: The Archaeology Of Climate Changementioning

confidence: 99%

The archaeology of climate change: The case for cultural diversity

Burke

Peros

Wren

et al. 2021

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Instead, a combination of wood and brick masonry was often used in ways not found in the Mediterranean. Italy extensively used metal anchors to hold together buildings already damaged by earthquakes (Forlin and Gerrard 2017); this method was not seen towards the east.…”

Section: Construction Materials In Earthquake-resistant Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Early 5th century Theodosian wall, Istanbul, Turkey (Photo M. Kázmér,#0283) There is a widely used method in Italy to reinforce a building moderately damaged by earthquake. Opposite walls are clamped together tightly by smith's iron rods (anchors), often ending in decoratively shaped crossbars (Forlin and Gerrard 2017) (Fig. 7.19).…”

Section: Metal Clamps Bolts Anchors and Chainsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Living with Earthquakes along the Silk Road

Kázmér

2019

Socio-Environmental Dynamics Along the Historical Silk Road

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Earthquakes are among the most horrible events of nature due to unexpected occurrence, for which no spiritual means are available for protection. The only way of preserving life and property is to prepare for the inevitable: applying earthquake-resistant construction methods. Zones of damaging earthquakes along the Silk Road are reviewed for seismic hazard and to understand the ways local civilizations coped with it during the past two thousand years. China and its wide sphere of cultural influence certainly had earthquake-resistant architectural practice, as the high number of ancient buildings, especially high pagodas, prove. A brief review of anti-seismic design and construction methods (applied both for wooden and masonry buildings) is given, in the context of earthquake-prone zones of Northern China. Muslim architects in Western China and Central Asia used brick and mortar to construct earthquake-resistant structural systems. Ancient Greek architects in Anatolia and the Aegean applied steel clamps embedded in lead casing to hold together columns and masonry walls during frequent earthquakes. Romans invented concrete and built all sizes of buildings as a single, non-flexible unit. Masonry, surrounding and decorating the concrete core of the wall, did not bear load. Concrete resisted minor shaking, yielding only to forces higher than fracture limits. Roman building traditions survived the Dark Ages, and 12th century Crusader castles erected in earthquake-prone Syria survive until today in reasonably good condition. Usage of earthquake-resistant technology depends on the perception of earthquake risks and on available financial resources. Earthquake-resistant construction practice is significantly more expensive than regular construction. Frequent earthquakes maintain safe construction practices, like the timber-laced masonry tradition in the Eastern Mediterranean throughout 500 years of political and technological development.

show abstract

“…Map adapted from Madeira et al, 2015 andTrippanera et al, 2014. World topography from NASA, 2018, bathymetry from NOAA, 2018, elevation from ALOS, 2018. peripheral maritime community 1500 km from the European mainland, the responses and adaptions of colonists to environmental hazards were also of great interest (Gerrard & Petley, 2013;Forlin & Gerrard, 2017). Major landslides affect dense urban settings every few years worldwide.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Archaeology of a Landslide: Unravelling the Azores Earthquake Disaster of 1522 and its Consequences

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The multidisciplinary research described here shows how archaeologists can help reconstruct past seismic episodes and understand the subsequent relief operation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction processes. In October 1522, a major earthquake and landslide struck the then capital of the Azores, Vila Franca do Campo, 1500 km from the European mainland. Damage was extensive, destroying key monuments, affecting most of the inhabited area, and leaving few survivors among the early colonists. The results from twenty-six archaeological trenches, geological and geoarchaeological investigations, and documentary analysis are reviewed here. Distinctive archaeological deposits are identified and explained, using the high density of artefacts and the erosional contact between the landslide and the pre-1522 palaeosol to reconstruct the episode in detail.

show abstract

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

Cited by 11 publications

References 18 publications

The archaeology of climate change: The case for cultural diversity

The archaeology of climate change: The case for cultural diversity

Living with Earthquakes along the Silk Road

The Archaeology of a Landslide: Unravelling the Azores Earthquake Disaster of 1522 and its Consequences

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About