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An analysis of the damage to archaeological sites documented after a heavy rainfall event in July 2021 in parts of Germany shows that several factors increase the risk of damage to archaeological sites due to heavy rainfall and flooding events. For example, the age of the site, the current utilization of the terrain or the respective slope inclination influence the risk. However, the development of damage cannot be predicted, as the processes involved are too complex: Customized solutions are required for future protective measures.

This is one of the conclusions reached by an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Cologne, the LVR Office for the Preservation of Archaeological Monuments in the Rhineland (LVR-ABR) and RWTH Aachen University. The results are presented under the title "Assessing the impact of the 2021 flood event on the archaeological heritage of the Rhineland (Germany)" in the journal Environmental Sciences Europe.

In addition to the question of whether damage to archaeological sites caused by heavy rainfall and flooding can be predicted, the researchers wanted to find out whether and how such damage can be assessed more quickly in the future.

The study was based on data collected from 2022 to 2023 in areas of the areas Eifel, Voreifel and Bergisches Land as part of the LVR-ABR's "Flood damage cadastre 2021" project. The heavy rainfall and flooding event on 14 and 15 July 2021 had catastrophic consequences for people, nature and infrastructure that continue to have an impact to this day. Archaeological sites, such as parts of former hydropower plants, were also affected.

The project examined 538 archaeological sites in flood-prone areas for damage. The analysis of the data shows that 19% of the investigated sites exhibited flood damage. Most of the damaged sites are more recent and are related to the use of hydropower in the Middle Ages and modern times.

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