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Assessing archaeological evidence for seismic catastrophies
Author(s) -
Rapp George
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
geoarchaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1520-6548
pISSN - 0883-6353
DOI - 10.1002/gea.3340010403
Subject(s) - excavation , geology , prehistory , archaeological evidence , archaeology , seismology , history , paleontology
Archaeologists frequently ascribe “destruction” layers uncovered during excavation to the effects of earthquake‐induced phenomena. Undoubtedly, ancient societies that lived in active seismic zones were as plagued by seismic destruction as we are today. However, other geological phenomena can account for many observed features. This paper reviews the geologic and archaeological background for assessing the evidence for prehistoric earthquake destruction.