Search Results (55)

The reconstruction of ancient geographical scenarios is significant for understanding environmental changes and civilizational evolution. However, human activities, as the main subjects in these scenes, cannot be directly reconstructed due to the lack of written records. Archaeological sites, formed through long-term human activities and natural processes, preserve material traces of ancient human behaviors within specific spatiotemporal contexts and provide critical evidence for inferring behaviors lacking written records. However, behavioral processes within site scenarios are difficult to observe and express directly. To address this challenge, we proposed a behavioral inference mapping method based on archaeological remains, integrating geography, archaeology, and behavioral science to support the inference and structured expression of ancient human behaviors. We first analyzed the relationships between behaviors and remain elements, and developed principles for inferring ancient human behaviors from remains. Secondly, combined with spatial analysis of geographic entities, we proposed multiscale geometric representations, methods for extracting and analyzing the geographical features of remains. We constructed a rule-driven mapping method of geographical features of archaeological remains and ancient human behaviors. Finally, the Taixi Site in Hebei Province and the Lingjiatan Site in Anhui Province were used as examples to verify the applicability and effectiveness of this method. This approach bridges remains and ancient human behaviors, demonstrates strong adaptability for behavioral-process inference, and provides new perspectives for settlement landscape reconstruction. Full article

Land-use planning in ecologically sensitive landscapes requires balancing biodiversity conservation, ecosystem service provision, agricultural production, settlement expansion, and infrastructure demand within a single spatial system. This challenge is particularly significant in Mediterranean environments, where long-term land transformations and increasing development pressures intensify conflicts among competing land-use priorities. Accordingly, the present study develops an integrated spatial zoning and decision-support framework for Osmaniye Province, southern Türkiye. The framework integrates fuzzy multi-criteria evaluation, CatBoost-based machine learning, SHAP-based interpretability, and NSGA-II multi-objective optimization. The workflow followed a sequential decision process in which an expert-derived zoning surface was first established through fuzzy evaluation, reconstructed from continuous spatial predictors using CatBoost, interpreted through SHAP, and refined through NSGA-II under explicit spatial constraints. By using the expert-derived zoning surface as the learning target, the CatBoost stage aimed to evaluate the internal consistency and spatial learnability of the planning logic within a present-day zoning context. The results indicated that the integrated framework distinguished conservation, controlled-use, and development priorities while identifying the key environmental and anthropogenic drivers shaping class-specific zoning outcomes. The final zoning structure allocated 37.9% of the study area to conservation, 43.6% to controlled use, and 18.5% to development. The study shows that by including a transitional zone with varying proportions of conservation, controlled use, and development, a more balanced distribution among the three goals can be achieved compared to a fixed partition into these three zones. The findings further demonstrate that this approach is more effective than current zoning, which does not accommodate such trade-offs. Full article

The Nile River has played a central role in Egypt’s historical and cultural development, shaping ancient civilizations and settlement patterns. However, its course has changed dynamically over millennia, leaving behind buried channels and geomorphological features that are critical for reconstructing past hydrological landscapes. This study utilized Sentinel-2 satellite imagery within Google Earth Engine to develop a remote sensing method for analyzing spectral and temporal variations in vegetation as indicators of paleofluvial landforms and past river activity. The approach, applied to create ten seasonal representations, enhanced the detection of moisture-driven vegetation patterns. Here, the Moisture-Gradient Enhanced Vegetation Index (MGEVI) was developed to identify stable vegetated landforms and differentiate persistent moisture conditions from seasonal variations. Through this method, former river channels, river islands, and channel belts were identified, revealing patterns of past river activities. The results suggest a late anabranching phase of the Nile, characterized by the gradual stabilization of fluvial features in response to evolving hydrological conditions. A comparison between fluvial features identified through remote sensing and those mapped from TanDEM-X radar elevation data and historical maps revealed strong agreement, affirming the reliability of the remote sensing approach developed by this study. Evidence from sediment core analyses, stratigraphic correlation, and high-precision RTK field surveys further corroborated the existence of ancient, buried channels and islands within the study area. The study highlights the utility of multi-temporal satellite imagery analysis for reconstructing hydrological evolution and assessing past settlement suitability. Specifically, an inferred paleochannel near the Dendera Temple Complex suggests a possible hydrological connection between a former course of the Nile River and this archaeological site. These findings underscore the potential of remote sensing for large-scale geoarchaeological studies, offering scalable methodologies for identifying ancient river networks and supporting cultural heritage conservation in arid regions. Full article

The Galician Rias represent a unique and distinctive geographical entity within the context of the Iberian territory. Characterised by their estuarine geomorphology, resulting from the submersion of ancient fluvial valleys, they hold significant ecological and cultural value. Currently perceived as natural heritage, their utilisation for productive purposes has been a key driver of structured human settlement and economic development in the surrounding region. This article aims to systematise the main historical transformations of the Galician Rias through an interdisciplinary methodology, combining the overlaying of historical and contemporary cartographic sources with the documentary analysis of primary and secondary records. This approach enables the reconstruction and interpretation of landscape transformations, producing a narrative of the evolutionary processes that have shaped these areas. The research seeks to contribute to the formulation, extension, and diversification of protective measures for Galicia’s riparian zones, while simultaneously raising awareness of the importance of safeguarding archaeological remains from classical, medieval, and pre-industrial periods. These vestiges are increasingly under threat from profound alterations to their natural and anthropogenic contexts. Additionally, the study highlights the value of preserving this heritage to foster public awareness of the need to protect these fragile landscapes. Full article

The issue of land use is currently commonly taken up by researchers in many aspects, e.g., geography, GIS or related sciences. However, the research gap occurs in the historical, partial reconstruction of the old agricultural and natural realities. The main objective of this article is to determine potential and actual places that were most useful for agriculture in the Early Middle Ages and to present human pressure on the natural environment. The results were developed in the form of colorful models that were generated on the basis of the following parameters: slope, river network, settlement, landscape and climate-vegetation belts. As a result, after summing up the above-mentioned maps, a new model was created, which was properly analyzed in terms of geoarchaeology in relation to early-medieval hillforts and the soil map in southern Małopolska. This article illustrates methods that can support broader interdisciplinary research in other regions of Europe (e.g., Italy) and the delimitation of medieval administrative borders. Full article

This paper analyses the role of landscape as a fundamental dimension of post-earthquake recovery in the inland areas of Central Italy, arguing that reconstruction must be understood not only as the repair of damaged buildings but as a broader territorial process affecting identity, spatial organization, and long-term settlement trajectories. In this sense, post-earthquake recovery is also interpreted as a strategic opportunity to reinforce coast–inland relationships, acknowledging the structural interdependence between inland Apennine areas and coastal urban systems. Drawing on insights from applied research conducted in the L’Aquila 2009 crater and on the conceptual framework developed within the PRIN TRIALS project, the paper discusses how seismic events accelerate pre-existing territorial dynamics and produce enduring transformations, particularly in the proximity landscapes surrounding historic centres. Rather than presenting empirical findings, the contribution offers a theoretical and operational framework aimed at integrating landscape considerations into reconstruction processes. It outlines key concepts such as landscape quality, transformative resilience, and permanent temporariness; reviews critical normative aspects linked to emergency procedures; and proposes a set of landscape-oriented guidelines and criteria for the contextual integration of reconstruction projects. These include landscape quality objectives, multiscalar readings of identity values, and operational tools such as visual-impact assessment, Project Reference Context analysis, and principles for managing transformations in peri-urban and historic environments. Overall, the paper argues that adopting a landscape-based perspective can strengthen territorial cohesion, support the sustainable redevelopment of historic centres and their surroundings, and embed post-earthquake reconstruction within broader coast–inland territorial strategies aimed at long-term resilience and balanced regional development in Apennine communities. Full article

Understanding the spatial distribution of ancient settlements is essential for reconstructing human–environment dynamics. The Chengdu Plain, a core region of the ancient Shu civilization, provides a key setting for examining early cultural development in Southwest China. This study applies GIS-based spatial analysis to 116 prehistoric sites, 27 Sanxingdui (3.7–3.1 ka BP) and 89 Shi’erqiao (3.1–2.6 ka BP), to evaluate their relationships with elevation, relief, slope, aspect, and distance from rivers. Sanxingdui settlements show a tightly constrained pattern, clustering at 450–500 m a.s.l. elevation, on gentle slopes (0–5°), within moderate relief (30–150 m), and almost entirely inside the 0–0.01 river buffer, reflecting strong dependence on stable alluvial landscapes. In contrast, Shi’erqiao sites occupy a broader environmental spectrum, spanning 400–650 m a.s.l. in elevation, concentrating in 30–60 m relief zones, and extending beyond the 0.02 hydrological buffer, indicating enhanced adaptability supported by improved water management and sociopolitical reorganization. The transition from Sanxingdui to Shi’erqiao thus represents a shift from selective environmental reliance to more flexible landscape engagement under mid–late Holocene climatic variability. These results underscore the dynamic nature of prehistoric human–landscape interaction on the Chengdu Plain and provide new insights into cultural resilience in the upper Yangtze River basin. Full article

This study systematically investigates settlement sites that record living patterns of ancient humans, aiming to reveal the interactive mechanisms of human–environment relationships. The core issues of landscape archeology research are the surface spatial structure, human spatial cognition, and social practice activities. This article takes the Han Dynasty settlement site in Sanyangzhuang, Neihuang County, Anyang City, Henan Province, as a typical case. It comprehensively uses ArcGIS 10.8 spatial analysis and remote sensing image interpretation techniques to construct spatial distribution models of elevation, slope, and aspect in the study area, and analyzes the process of the Yellow River’s ancient course changes. A regional historical geographic information system was constructed by integrating multiple data sources, including archeological excavation reports, excavated artifacts, and historical documents. At the same time, the sequences of temperature and dry–wet index changes in the study area during the Qin and Han dynasties were quantitatively reconstructed, and a climate evolution map for this period was created based on ancient climate proxy indicators. Drawing on three dimensions of settlement morphology, architectural spatial organization, and agricultural technology systems, this paper provides a deep analysis of the site’s spatial cognitive logic and the ecological wisdom it embodies. The results show the following: (1) The Sanyangzhuang Han Dynasty settlement site reflects the efficient utilization strategy and environmental adaptation mechanism of ancient settlements for land resources, presenting typical scattered characteristics. Its formation mechanism is closely related to the evolution of social systems in the Western Han Dynasty. (2) In terms of site selection, settlements consider practicality and ceremony, which can not only meet basic living needs, but also divide internal functional zones based on the meaning implied by the orientation of the constellations. (3) The widespread use of iron farming tools has promoted the innovation of cultivation techniques, and the implementation of the substitution method has formed an ecological regulation system to cope with seasonal climate change while ensuring agricultural yield. The above results comprehensively reflect three types of ecological wisdom: “ecological adaptation wisdom of integrating homestead and farmland”, “spatial cognitive wisdom of analogy, heaven, law, and earth”, and “agricultural technology wisdom adapted to the times”. This study not only deepens our understanding of the cultural value of the Han Dynasty settlement site in Sanyangzhuang, but also provides a new theoretical perspective, an important paradigm reference, and a methodological reference for the study of ancient settlement ecological wisdom. Full article

Rural landscapes are changing rapidly, yet many assessments remain descriptive and weakly connected to planning instruments. This study connects rural landscape analysis with planning and management by examining post-earthquake transformations in Topaktaş (Tuşba, Van), a village redesigned and relocated after the 2011 events. Using ArcGIS 10.8 and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), we integrate DEM, slope, aspect, CORINE land cover Plus, surface-water presence/seasonality, and proximity to hazards (active and surface-rupture faults) and infrastructure (Karasu Stream, highways, village roads). A risk overlay is treated as a hard constraint. We produce suitability maps for settlement, agriculture, recreation, and industry; derive a composite optimum land-use surface; and translate outputs into decision rules (e.g., a 0–100 m fault no-build setback, riparian buffers, and slope thresholds) with an outline for implementation and monitoring. Key findings show legacy footprints at lower elevations, while new footprints cluster near the upper elevation band (DEM range 1642–1735 m). Most of the area exhibits 0–3% slopes, supporting low-impact access where hazards are manageable; however, several newly designated settlement tracts conflict with risk and water-service conditions. Although limited to a single case and available data resolutions, the workflow is transferable: it moves beyond mapping to actionable planning instruments—zoning overlays, buffers, thresholds, and phased management—supporting sustainable, culturally informed post-earthquake reconstruction. Full article

In regional traditional landscape studies where continuous literature and physical relics are scarce, image-based materials serve as a crucial medium for reconstructing historical spatial structures. This study focuses on the sandbar polder landscapes in the Yangzhong area, located in the lower Yangtze River. By integrating historical maps, military cartographic surveys, CORONA satellite imagery, and modern remote sensing data, this study developed a multi-source image interpretation framework to reconstruct the traditional dike–water–field–settlement spatial structure. Employing image recognition and morphological analysis, the study extracted features such as dikes, water systems, and settlements, revealing their adaptation mechanisms to microtopography and associated ecological functions, including multi-level irrigation and drainage, hydrological buffering, and flood prevention. The results demonstrate that traditional sandbar polder landscapes exhibit a high degree of experiential adaptation, and their spatial organization offers valuable insights for future green infrastructure planning. The study confirms the applicability of image-based interpretation methods for historical landscape reconstruction and provides a practical path for the activation and translation of traditional landscape units in contemporary urban–rural governance. Full article

The evolution of traditional rural settlements is a dynamic process. During urbanization, traditional rural settlements, as dual carriers of natural and cultural heritage, face the structural contradiction between preservation and development. The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake caused systemic damage to the Linpan settlements in western Sichuan. The post-seismic reconstruction (2008-) and rural revitalization (2017-) phases have offered a unique case for exploring sustainable cultural landscape patterns. This study innovatively devises a “preservation–development” dual-system evaluation framework. Using the coupling coordination degree model, it analyzes the characteristics of Linpan at different stages within a composite cultural–economic–social system. The study found that while tangible carriers can be quickly repaired through financial support, intangible culture is often at risk of losing its inheritors. Over 60% of Linpan depend on government support, exposing the fragility of “dependence-based development”, and few achieve high-quality “preservation–development” synergy (coupling coordination degree D > 0.8). Most remain in a “preservation lag–development obstruction” cycle (D < 0.5). This paper explores ways to balance Linpan preservation and development dynamically and suggests creating a self-cycling “resource empowerment–cultural identity–value transformation” development pattern. It provides a theoretical reference for cultural heritage preservation and disaster resilience building and contributes a unique solution for the revitalization of traditional settlements. Full article

Historical towns embody the origins and continuity of urban civilization, preserving distinctive spatial fabrics, cultural lineages, and latent economic value within contemporary metropolitan systems. Their integrated conservation directly aligns with SDG 11.4, and advances the holistic preservation objectives of historic urban landscapes (HULs). However, achieving these objectives cannot be solely dependent on modern remote sensing technologies; it necessitates the integration of historical geographic information system (HGIS) theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches. Leveraging HGIS and multisource data—including SDGSAT-1 nighttime light imagery, textual documents, and historical maps—this study reconstructed the spatial extent of historical towns in suburban Shanghai and assessed their present-day economic vitality through light-based spatial proxies. Key results comprised the following. (1) Most suburban historical towns are small, yet nighttime light intensity varies markedly. Jiading County, Songjiang Prefecture, and Jinshan Wei rank highest in both spatial extent and brightness. (2) Town area exhibits a strong positive relationship (R² > 0.80) with the total nighttime light index, indicating that larger settlements generally sustain higher economic activity. (3) Clusters of “low area–low light” towns showed pronounced intra-regional disparities in economic vitality, underscoring the need for targeted revitalization. (4) Natural setting, historical legacy, policy interventions, and transport accessibility jointly shape development trajectories, with policy emerging as the dominant driver. This work demonstrates a transferable framework for multidimensional assessment of historical towns, supports differentiated conservation strategies, and aids the synergistic integration of heritage preservation with regional sustainable development. Full article

Preserved macro-botanical and charcoal remains collected from the Zhumucun site have revealed the paleodiet and agricultural production of a small settlement during the Liangzhu period. Further, they have also helped to reconstruct the landscape and social organization that occurred therein. The plant remains assemblage shows that rice was the main crop at this site; however, the appearance of the millets may also indicate the spread and communication between southern and northern China. An analysis of the discarded spikelets confirmed that rice was locally produced and processed. A study of charcoal helped restore the vegetation landscape in the settlement and provided valuable insights for reconstructing the functional zoning and agricultural production at the site. Following an analysis of the plant distribution and utilization patterns at the site, it became clear that the Zhumucun site functioned as a small agricultural settlement. Compared to other settlements from the Liangzhu period, the Zhumucun site likely supported a smaller population. The site could be divided into smaller groups, including facilities in residential areas, processing areas, tomb areas, and farming areas. Agricultural production at the Zhumucun site appears to have been highly coordinated, with activities carried out in a unified manner and primarily by local households. This efficient system of resource management likely reflects a well-organized labor structure, where food surpluses may have been redistributed to support other higher-level settlements. Full article

Traditional models of interaction in northern Sudan have innate Egyptological, elite, and urban biases which have relegated certain areas to mere peripheries of more ‘established’ and ‘central’ sites. In order to reach a higher resolution understanding of cultural dynamics and diversity of ancient Nilotic groups, the DiverseNile project has established the bespoke concept of Contact Space Biography which we present in the following article. We challenge existing approaches to cultural contact in the region by adopting a bottom-up approach which moves away from well-established categorisation of sites in our study area. In particular by reconstructing landscape biographies of the Bronze Age in the Middle Nile beyond established cultural categories in order to provide new insights into the ancient dynamics of social spaces, which include landscape features and non-human activities. In the following we instead consider such areas as complex social spaces intertwined with, an often changing, landscape by presenting our findings from the study of cemetery and settlement sites. Overall, the concept of Contact Space Biography effectively combines models of contact spaces, the idiosyncrasies of a changing landscape and the technological and industrial prerogatives of those living in and accessing this region. Full article

This study reconstructs the recent history of Therasia by examining the interplay between traditional settlements and the island’s natural and agricultural landscape. Through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates spatial and architectural analysis, historical records, and NDVI-based vegetation mapping, this research highlights the significant impact of agrarian structures like dry-stone walls and terraces on the environment. The unique dry-stone wall and terrace system is shown to have been crucial for both spatial organization and the survival of Therasia’s inhabitants. This study also addresses the challenges of dating these structures, employing a relative dating methodology to establish a timeline of habitation from the late medieval period to the present. This research reconstructs the island’s recent history, from early seasonal settlements to the eventual decline of rural architecture in the 20th century. The findings indicate that settlement patterns were closely linked to environmental and geomorphological factors, with the evolution of these sites driven by agricultural practices and broader socio-economic changes. This research not only reconstructs Therasia’s past, but also proposes a novel methodological framework combining remote sensing with traditional historical analysis, offering new insights into the relationship between human settlements and the environment in the Aegean region. Full article