Detailed Digital Terrain Models in the Research of Deserted Settlement: Hydrological Modelling and Environment of Settlement Areas

Abstract

This paper presents the use of detailed terrain models in archaeological research. We apply a LiDAR data (DTM of the 5th generation provided by the Czech Office for Surveying, Mapping and Cadastre) in the areas of five villages abandoned during the 15th and the 17th century. Surveyed sites are preserved in the woodlands in the form of relief formations and there have been carried out many surface surveys and geodetic-topographic surveys. Except the detection of previously unknown remains of human activities in LiDAR data (especially field boundaries, tracks or mining areas) we use also an analytical potential of detailed DEM to affect parameters of physical landscape. In particular, we focused on the attachment of deserted villages to water sources and slope gradient of their ploughlands. This allows us to reopen the old-fashioned questions regarding the role of the natural environment in shaping cultural landscape and try to answer them in the new perspective. Although three of considered deserted villages are situated outside of water sources, hydrological modelling of DTM 5G generates higher values of topographic wetness index within close proximity to each of these villages. The ploughlands of deserted villages were situated also in the areas with high slope gradient. These outcomes extend or revised the ‘traditional statements’ in older Czech literature.