Assessing human impact on alluvial fan development : a multidisciplinary case-study from Lower Khuzestan (SW Iran)

Geomorphology and geoarchaeology : cross-contribution. Geoarcheological session

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

WALSTRA, J.

Dep. of Languages and Cultures of the Near East and North Africa, Univ., Ghent, Belgique

HEYVAERT, V.M.A.

Geological Survey of Belgium, Bruxelles, Belgique

VERKINDEREN, P.

Dep. of Languages and Cultures of the Near East and North Africa, Univ., Ghent, Belgique

The Netherlands Flemish Inst., Caire, Egypte

FOUACHE, E.

Univ. Paris 10, Inst. Univ. de France, EA 375 Gecko, UMR 8591, Nanterre, France

PAVLOPOULOS, K.

Fac. of Geography, Harokopio Univ., Athènes, Grece

FANNING, P.

Macquarie Univ., Sydney, Australie

Description :
This paper presents a multidisciplinary approach for studying the evolution of an alluvial fan system in Lower Khuzestan (SW Iran). The study draws on previously collected data from geological and archaeological field campaigns and new data derived from the interpretation of satellite imagery and historical textual sources. Three alluvial fans were identified, successively deposited by the Jarrahi river. Judging from archaeological and historical evidence, the successive phases appear to coincide with a relocation of settlement and irrigation activities. It is suggested that management of levee breaks by man played a key role in the rapid fan development and in maintaining extremely low gradients. Judging from the extensive patterns of ancient irrigation canals, human activity also played an important role in the formation of the earlier fans.

Type de document :
Congrès

Source :
International Conference on Geomorphology : Ancient landscapes, modern perspectives, 7, Melbourne, Australie, 2009-07-06/2009-07-11, Geodinamica acta, issn : 0985-3111, 2010, vol. 23, n°. 5-6, p. 267-285, nombre de pages : 19, Références bibliographiques : 78 ref.

Date :
2010

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Abingdon, Taylor and Francis

Langue :
Anglais