Past and present Geomorphological hazard and cultural heritage loss in El Castellar castle scarp (central Ebro Basin, Spain)

Peña-Monné, José Luis (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Sampietro-Vattuone, M. Marta ; Espinalt-Brillas, Marta ; Gutiérrez-González, Francisco J.

Resumen: The ruins of the Medieval castle and village of El Castellar are located on an abrupt 1.2-km-long scarp of Miocene gypsums, in the central sector of the Ebro depression. The Medieval remains of the main El Castellar castle are perched on a 100 m cliff on the Ebro River. Considering the historical and geoarchaeological relevance of El Castellar settlement, this investigation aimed to study the geomorphological and paleoenvironmental context of the site during and after the settlement and its later evolution, including its current state. Geomorphological data suggest that in Medieval times its constructions were favored by the MCA environmental conditions. During that times, the Ebro River was located in a centered position on its floodplain, and lateral alluvial fans protected the scarp from basal erosion. Later, during the LIA, great climatic flows and recurrent floods changed the river dynamics and promoted the river channel movement against the scarp, destabilizing its foot and generating large landslides and rockfalls, thus promoting its retreat. The village buildings and castle at the top of the scarp were seriously damaged. For several reasons, the area is not easily accessible, but it still contains a relevant archaeological heritage that deserves to be studied and preserved.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.18172/cig.5204

Año: 2023

Publicado en: Geographical Research Letters 49, 1 (2023), 3-22
ISSN: 0211-6820

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 3.0 - Geography, Planning and Development (Q2) - Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous) (Q2) - Environmental Science (miscellaneous) (Q2)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.373 - Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous) (Q2) - Geography, Planning and Development (Q2) - Environmental Science (miscellaneous) (Q3)

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Geografía Física (Dpto. Geograf. Ordenac.Territ.)