Preservation states of drowned landscapes in the former Zuiderzee

Abstract

This thesis research is focussed on variables and processes that led to different preservation states of drowned landscapes within the Zuiderzee. Aim of this research is to determine different variables and processes that led to different preservation states. Determining variables and processes that led to different preservation states of drowned landscapes will also lead to a further thorough understanding on different preservation states.

A suite of methodologies has been used including literature study, new data collecting fieldwork and a data analysis at a series of scales. The use of these methodologies led to the understanding that erosion depth, distance to shore and depth of drowned landscape are the main drivers for preservation states of drowned Medieval landscapes. Comparison of this correlation with other sub-case studies verified the relation between these three variables. A first try in quantification led to the distance of roughly 1.2 to 2.2 kilometres in which preservation of Medieval landscapes decreases over distance until it is fully diminished.