Modeling archaeological excavation-induced soil erosion in cultural heritage landscapes: A QGeoWEPP-based assessment at the Resuloglu Mound, Türkiye

Authors: KOCAKLI, KEMAL - Istanbul Technical University; Renschler, Christian; Flanagan, Dennis; MCGEHEE, RYAN - Iowa State University; HARBOR, JONATHAN - Purdue University; ARIKAN, BULENT - Istanbul Technical University; OZCAN, ORKAN - Istanbul Technical University

Submitted to: Geoderma Regional
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/6/2025
Publication Date: 10/10/2025
Citation: Kocakli, K., Renschler, C.S., Flanagan, D.C., Mcgehee, R.P., Harbor, J., Arikan, B., Ozcan, O. 2025. Modeling archaeological excavation-induced soil erosion in cultural heritage landscapes: A QGeoWEPP-based assessment at the Resuloglu Mound, Türkiye. Geoderma Regional. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2025.e01018.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2025.e01018

Interpretive Summary: In the US, models predict the impact of conservation measures to reduce runoff and soil loss from agricultural fields. This study looks at the impacts of archaeological excavations at the Resuloglu Mound in rural Türkiye. The goal is to test the model use for agricultural communities in historic landscapes. The study helps landowners to evaluate measures to protect land against extreme weather events. It allows to better plan and preserve the productive heritage and sustainable rural development. The QGIS mapping interface for the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) (QGeoWEPP) is used in this study. WEPP simulates soil erosion rates before and after archaeological excavations. The model simulates two undisturbed, six disturbed sites, and a nearby agricultural field. The results show that archaeological excavation cause increased runoff and erosion rates. The results support land owners and stakeholders to work together to preserve productive, rural heritage landscapes abroad and in the US.

Technical Abstract: This study investigates how archaeological excavations influence runoff generation and soil erosion in a rangeland-dominated cultural landscape in North Central Anatolia, Türkiye. The Resuloglu Mound, an archaeological settlement dating to the Early Bronze Age III period (c. 2300–2100 BCE), underwent excavations between 2003 and 2019. The site’s current morphology indicates that soil erosion has significantly shaped the landscape throughout both ancient and modern periods. Assessing these landscape changes is essential for evaluating the long-term sustainability of archaeological sites, as soil erosion not only compromises the integrity of cultural heritage but also influences surrounding ecosystems and agricultural productivity. This research employs an interdisciplinary approach to analyze natural hazards, including climate and weather pattern variability, and anthropogenic disturbances, within the context of cultural heritage preservation and soil and water conservation in an agricultural rangeland landscape. Using a spatially explicit modeling framework, we investigate the interactions among land use, climate and weather pattern variability, and the complex dynamics of natural and human-induced processes within an agricultural rangeland and crop management setting. The study utilized the QGISbased geospatial interface for the Water Erosion Prediction Project (QGeoWEPP) to simulate soil erosion rates before and after archaeological excavation. In addition, the study explores proactive strategies to cultural heritage, as well as the adjacent grazing rangelands and agricultural fields, to develop an integrated protection plan for these vulnerable sites and their stakeholders. The QGeoWEPP model is applied to eight hillslopes two undisturbed reference slopes and six disturbed—along with fields of major crops, where harvest yields are used to parameterize hydrology and plant growth within the model. The findings indicate that archaeological excavation disrupts slope stability, leading to elevated erosion rates immediately after disturbance, followed by a gradual decline over time. This study contributes to the scientific foundation of conservation policies aimed at preserving both natural and cultural landscapes through collaboration with local governments.