Photogrammetric and GIS-Based Modeling of Rapid Sediment Erosion and Deposition on the Taskscape of Bronze Age Politiko-Troullia, Cyprus

A major strength of Tom Levy’s archaeological research is its capacity to make us think about the archaeological past through a lens of creative non-traditional concepts. Accordingly, we explore Politiko-Troullia, Cyprus from an array of analytical perspectives that illuminate this locality amid its dynamic natural and social landscapes. We expand the definition of Politiko-Troullia’s Bronze Age community to encompass a broader stage for human behavior that stretched beyond the excavated settlement to include its surrounding terraced hillsides, which witnessed intense agrarian and metallurgical activities revealed by geographical modeling. We utilize drone aerial photography and artistic depiction to convey Politiko-Troullia’s setting in keeping with this expanded concept. Architectural shifts linked with Bayesian modeling of calibrated radiocarbon ages document community responses to local erosion, including downcutting of Kamaras Creek just after ~2000 cal BCE. Photogrammetric and GIS-based modeling allows us to conceptualize and quantify the erosion and deposition of archaeological and alluvial sediments at and around Politiko-Troullia. In general terms, these new insights help us explain the substantial and rapid sediment deposition in some parts of this settlement (>3 m, which is unusually deep for Cyprus). More specifically, our modeling quantifies the stages in Politiko-Troullia’s fast-paced record of founding, substantial architectural reconstructions, and abandonment, including a major architectural displacement about 2000 cal BCE. Our multi-faceted investigation of Politiko-Troullia’s natural and social landscape dynamics reflects the broadened analytical perspectives through which Tom Levy has enhanced scientifically-based archaeological exploration of our human heritage.