The Yığma Tepe of Pergamon: Internal construction of a monumental burial mound from shear wave reflection sounding and wavefield modelling

Researchers have uncovered the internal structure of the Yığma Tepe, one of the largest burial mounds in the Eastern Mediterranean, using advanced seismic imaging techniques. The study revealed three distinct stratigraphic layers, each about 10 meters thick, representing different construction phases. Notably, a north-south-oriented collapsed walled cavity was identified within the middle layer, along with other seismic objects of interest (SOIs). Additionally, the study confirmed the existence of a tunnel system and shaft dug into the mound in the early 20th century, which caused significant damage extending up to the overlying layers. The research demonstrates the potential of shear-wave reflection seismic imaging to map small-scale structures under challenging topographic conditions, providing valuable insights into the mound's complex internal architecture.

Mecking, R., Meinecke, M., Erkul, E., Pirson, F., & Rabbel, W. (2021). The Yığma Tepe of Pergamon: Internal construction of a monumental burial mound from shear wave reflection sounding and wavefield modelling. Archaeological Prospection, 28(2), 221–249. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.1809