The Geomechanical Height/Radius Ratio Applied to Analysis and Preservation of Neolithic Tumuli, with Examples from Álava (Spain)

Abstract

The height/radius ratio of a tumulus and the angle of repose for the materials used in its construction permits one to: predict possible construction methods, calculate the path of geometric evolution before and after the current form and compare degrees of preservation. By way of example a Neolithic tumulus is compared with a modern-day one, both made out of identical lithology. Finally, comments are made on h/r values for tumuli and tumuli with dolmens for the archaeological catalogue of Álava, in the Western Pyrenees.