Dr. Gül Sürmelihindi

Research interest:

My main interest is the history of climate and how and why it affects the social life of our ancestors. Since 2009, I have been working on carbonate deposits from ancient aqueducts to reconstruct palaeoclimatic changes during the classical period, particularly the Greco-Roman era. For this purpose, I apply geochemistry methods such as stable isotopes, trace elements and microstructural investigations.

Meanwhile I am also working on different archaeological sites to reconstruct ancient water technologies such as water-lifting machines and watermills by investigating the carbonate incrustations to see changes in efficiency of mechanisms, which is important for history of science studies.

Annual lamination as seen in carbonate deposits from ancient aqueducts are an important data source to determine changes in palaeoclimate, and to identify natural hazards such as floods and seismic damage. It can also give hints for economical and political unrest during the classical period.

Education:

2001-2005 B.Sc. - Istanbul University, Engineering Faculty-Geological Engineering

2006-2009 M.Sc. - Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences, Climate and Marine Sciences Master Program

2009-2013 PhD - University of Mainz, Department of Earth Sciences “Roman aqueducts and Calcareous sinter deposits as a proxy for environmental changes”

2014 -2016 Post-doc researcher- Max-Planck Institute for History of Science, Berlin and TOPOI Excellence centre

2016- present Post-doc researcher- University of Mainz, Department of Earth Sciences.

Publications