Study of fluvial processes impact on archaeological sites of the Volga Bulgaria period using remote sensing data

Abstract

© 2020 SPIE. This work is a part of the research aimed at developing a system of analysis of the risks of destruction of archaeological sites on the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan. Most of fortified settlements of the Volga-Bulgarian period (X-XIII centuries AD) are located on the small river banks. In order to identify the risk of archaeological sites transformation by fluvial processes, the river dynamics in the area of Lukovskoye, Bolsheklyarinskoye and Zelenovskoye fortified settlements was assessed. Field studies were conducted using UAV and GNSS techniques to describe the relief and current state of the site's territory. The measured data were analyzed using the GIS to evaluate intensity of bank erosion. Historical maps, archival remote sensing data and orthophotomaps compared to get quantitative characteristics of monument territory damage. In addition, as a result of photogrammetric image processing, the DEM of monuments territory were constructed and analyzed. As a result, maps of the river dynamics and quantitative characteristics of the intensity of the site's destruction were obtained. The main factors affecting bank erosion are the meandering of the riverbed, the height of the bank and its component rocks. The study showed the importance of using remote sensing and 3D-modelling methods to study and predict the dynamics of river processes as a factor in the destruction of archaeological sites. Results of the research will help to reveal tendencies in cultural heritage objects condition and to estimate risks of their destruction.