Berechnung von optimalen Wegen am Beispiel der Zeitstraße

Abstract

Least-cost path methods are popular in the community of computer  archaeologists. They are used to (a) identify the principles governing the  construction of ancient roads if the routes are known or (b) reconstruct the  paths connecting ancient settlements. Most archaeological least-cost path  studies rely largely on push-button software, but results can often be improved by applying more refi ned concepts. The ancient road known as Zeitstraße,  which connects Siegburg and Halver, serves as an example. The best fi t in  respect to the traditional reconstruction of the Zeitstraße by NICKE (2001) is  obtained by calculating optimal paths not for pedestrians but for wheeled traffic with a critical slope of 10 and 12%, and including the following aspects:  (a) avoid large streams more than small streams, (b) calculate effective slope rather than use a slope map, (c) check 48 instead of 8 directions during each  step, and (d) force the path through Much, the oldest town on the route.  Omitting the latter constraint results in a completely different route which in  the fi rst part coincides with another ancient route described by Nicke. An  alternative model suggests that the country was initially explored on the main  water courses, and subsequently pedestrian routes based on least-cost  principles evolved, proceeding from the rivers. This alternative concept is  evaluated for the river Agger in the study area, and the calculated paths connect the river with some of the early settlements in its neighbourhood.