Reconstruction of the morphology and hydrography of the centre of Kraków before the mid-13th century

A digital elevation model reveals that the historic center of Kraków, before rapid urban development in the mid-13th century, featured distinct topography and hydrography that likely influenced early settlement patterns. The study reconstructed the original relief using geology, archaeology, history, and cartographic data, validated through structural analysis and kriging methods. Findings suggest that the pre-human landscape, now obscured by cultural deposits, may have played a key role in shaping the city's development. The proposed geomorphological map offers a visual representation of this lost morphology, providing insights into the area's potential for encouraging early human habitation.

Łajczak, A., & Zarychta, R. (2020). Reconstruction of the morphology and hydrography of the centre of Kraków before the mid-13th century. Geographia Polonica, 93(1), 25–50. https://doi.org/10.7163/gpol.0161