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| Title |
Soil Characteristics of the Terrace System Associated with the Archaeological Site of Aperlae
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| Author(s) |
Longbrake, William
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| School/Department |
Department of Geography
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| Institution |
University of Denver
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| Degree Type |
Master's
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| Degree Name |
M.A.
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| Type of Resource |
text
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| Degree Date |
2007 November
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| Digital Origin |
reformatted digital
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| Rights Statement |
All Rights Reserved
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| Reason for Restrictions |
No restrictions
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| Type of Restriction |
No restrictions
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| Keyword(s) |
Geography
Geology
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| Abstract |
The soils surrounding the city of Aperlae in modern Turkey were studied in order to determine the overall suitability for agriculture during Roman and Byzantine occupation. Both terraced and non-terraced soils were examined to determine what if any benefits were gained due to the construction of terraces. Soil characteristics investigated include, pH, depth, C:N, total phosphorus, water storage capacity and pF, electrical conductivity, bulk density, and organic carbon content. The only factor found to vary significantly and consistently between terraced and non-terraced soils was total depth with terraced soils being on average 40cm deeper. It is posited that the cumulic nature of the terraced soils had a homogenizing effect in the time since abandonment. While it was hypothesized that the terraces were constructed as sediment control devices to protect Murex trunculus habitat, there was not enough evidence to support this. A new type of terrace construction was also identified and described.
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| Handle |
http://hdl.handle.net/10176/codu:55682
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