The Yığma Tepe of Pergamon: stratigraphic construction of a monumental tumulus from seismic refraction measurements

Researchers have uncovered the internal structure of Pergamon's monumental tumulus, Yığma Tepe, revealing it to be composed of three distinct conical disk layers, each approximately 10 meters thick. These layers form two internal plateaus and were likely compacted through anthropogenic processes, as indicated by increased silt and clay fractions in soil samples. The study utilized a combination of seismic refraction measurements, traveltime tomography, and visco-elastic forward modeling to create a three-dimensional seismic velocity model, validated by excavations, soil analysis, historical records, and geoelectric measurements. This approach allowed for the reconstruction of the tumulus's original surface and surrounding trench, accounting for 17% volume loss due to destruction and erosion. The findings provide unprecedented insights into the construction techniques and building history of this significant Hellenistic-era structure.

Mecking, R., Meinecke, M., Erkul, E., Driehaus, B., Bolten, A., Pirson, F., & Rabbel, W. (2020). The Yığma Tepe of Pergamon: stratigraphic construction of a monumental tumulus from seismic refraction measurements. Archaeological Prospection, 27(2), 73–105. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.1762