From top to deep: An integrated multidisciplinary approach for the study of a transformative landscape of Savatra ancient city

In this study, a combined workflow of computational methodologies is introduced to explore the transformative landscape of the ancient city of Savatra (Central Anatolia Region, Türkiye), which faces long-term risks stemming from natural and anthropogenic threats. Emphasis was placed on regional and local scale landscape analysis, employing aerial and ground-based remote-sensing techniques to unravel past settlement patterns and understand the impact of environmental factors, topography and natural resources on both the location of Savatra and spatial organization of its features. On a regional scale, the influence of hydrological conditions, slope and aspect on the landscape was determined through the employment of Geographical Information System (GIS)-based analysis of digital elevation models (DEMs). At a more local scale, the utilization of the Unmanned Aerial Systems-derived DEM and geophysical survey helped identify potential archaeological features and also assessed the risk posed to these features. Furthermore, the incorporation of 3D GIS analysis, integrating 3D point cloud representations of the ground-penetrating radar volume and DEM, provided essential insight into the state of preservation of the buried features. The collaborative application and joint interpretation of these methodologies yielded a wide range of clues and explanations, unravelling the complex palimpsest of past activities. This research not only serves as foundation for future studies specifically for Savatra, but also provides a preliminary remote sensing–based exploration blueprint to other yet to be studied archaeological sites.