Leipzig 1015 ce - a multiproxy study to reconstruct the palaeorelief of Leipzig's city centre

The year 2015 marked the millennium of the first documentary evidence of the city of Leipzig as urbs Libzi. Inspired by this event the first digital elevation model (DEM 1015) from the palaeorelief at the time of the first settlement is modelled in two/three-dimensions by applying geographic information system (GIS)-technology. The article focuses on innovative multiproxy ideas to reconstruct the palaeorelief for a city centre. Thus, the topic of the project combines various scientific disciplines such as geomorphology and statistics. Qualitative data, mainly from archaeological excavations and geological drills, are linked by using GIS through surveying techniques. By applying the same method as for the DEM 1015, a recent DEM (DEM Today) is created. Furthermore, a comparison is conducted between this DEM Today and another recent DEM, which was generated with LiDAR data provided by the Staatsbetrieb Geobasisinformation und Vermessung Sachsen (GeoSN, State Operation Geobasisinformation and Surveying Saxony). A regression analysis and the descriptive comparison validate a close connection between the two recent DEMs. This supports the proposed methodology as being well suited to generate a visualization of the palaeorelief. However, models represent only a limited picture of reality. Undoubtedly, strong anthropogenic influences in the entire study area result in limiting factors which are hard to quantify. Therefore, the DEM 1015 shows the highest possible approximation of the ancient relief at the time of the first settlement. Nevertheless, the project supports further research on the landscape and settlement genesis at the study area. The DEM 1015 allows the investigation of the palaeorelief concerning geomorphological conditions during the Holocene. Furthermore, it is possible to draw inferences about how the environment has been shaped and structured by anthropogenic influences in this area over the last 1000 years. The research has the character of a case study that subsequently will open up opportunities to other areas.