Author: multiple authors

May 19, 2025

Exchange, Connections and Collaborations: The TransPergMicro PreDoc Workshop 2025

On March 28, the PreDoc-workshop of TransPergMicro brought together early career researchers from across the project to present and discuss their ongoing work related to Pergamon. The workshop was hosted by Freie Universität in the so-called “Holzlaube” and was attended by 18 participants in person and 11 online. The workshop served as a platform to connect the different disciplines involved in TransPergMicro – Physical Geography, Historical Architecture, Classical Archaeology, and Ancient History.
March 31, 2025

The archaeology in geoarchaeology: examples from field mapping during the 2024 campaign of the physical geography group

During the 2024 joint fieldwork of Freie Universität Berlin and Ege Üniversitesi, we explored the eastern lower Bakırçay plain, mapping geomorphological features. Collaborating with archaeologists, we investigated the ancient Bakırçay River’s shifting course, focusing on fluvial traces and elevations to better understand its historical hydrology. Stay tuned for our findings!
June 28, 2024

Pergamon visits Madrid – LAC 2024

Discover the latest TransPergMicro research presented at the 2024 Landscape Archaeology Conference. We’re excited to highlight Joris Starke’s award-winning poster on the Araplı alluvial fan’s development during the Roman Imperial period. Additionally, delve into Robert Busch’s agro-ecological modeling and Fabian Becker’s analysis of the ‘3rd century crisis’ in Pergamon. Also featured is Moritz Nykamp’s poster on Göbekli Tepe’s landscape evolution.
March 2, 2024

The Selinos River in Pergamon. Investigating the Relations Between Urban Development, the Alteration of Natural Space and Changing River Dynamics

The Selinos River, now known as Bergama Çayı, plays a significant role in shaping the urban landscape of the city. This was highlighted at the annual TransPergMicro workshop, where the relationship between urban development, changes in natural space, and the river’s dynamics were analysed and discussed. The initial findings, presented in this blog post, will be incorporated into a TransPergMicro sub-project.
February 13, 2024

Alluvial fans and ‘chocolate bars’: Unveiling the sedimentary archives of the Pergamon Micro-Region

In exploring sedimentary profiles obtained by vibra-coring in the Bakırçay plain, our interdisciplinary fieldwork investigates the development of alluvial fans in the Pergamon micro-region. We aim to uncover the intricate interplay between sediment dynamics and historical settlement patterns. At the same time, our study of ‘chocolate bars’ provides insights into ancient pottery production and highlights the relationship between human activity and the landscape in the Pergamon Micro-Region.
December 1, 2023

Secrets of Selinus: New Discoveries Reshape the Understanding of Pergamon’s Urban Riverbank

The developing landscape of Bergama unfolds along the Bergama Çayı, where the recent construction of a river embankment by the DSİ revealed ancient structures. Excavations from 2021 to 2023 under the direction of Bergama Müzesi uncovered an 1 km² wide area. In collaboration with DSİ, the İzmir State Monuments Authority and the Pergamon Excavation Project, the ongoing conservation work is contributing to a master’s thesis focusing on detailed documentation, with an emphasis on construction phases and techniques. This study explores the historical layers of the site to uncover ancient urban development and the interactions between human and nature during the Roman Imperial period.
November 15, 2023

Temple, Villa, or…? A Rural Site in the Pergamon Micro-Region

The Sultan Tepe site, discovered in 2009 and revisited in 2019 and 2020, near Pergamon reveals intriguing findings. The non-invasive survey suggests a complex history: a potential villa with a courtyard, a sanctuary, or even a mansio. Geophysical data points to a 175 x 100 m structure, possibly a villa. Pottery spans late Hellenistic to Byzantine periods. Despite uncertainties, this interdisciplinary approach offers valuable insights into the region’s historical development. The full study will be in ‘Istanbuler Mitteilungen.’