Vulnerability Assessment of in-Situ Earthen Architecture to Natural Hazards: A Study of Archaeological Sites in the Iberian Peninsula

Earthen architecture has been one of the most widespread building systems in past societies, with the Iberian Peninsula being particularly prolific due to its climatic, social, and cultural conditions. The rich archaeological heritage inherited, whose integration into contemporary society is subject to numerous risk factors that compromise its preservation for future generations, stands out for its fragility against natural agents of decay once its original protections have collapsed. This study reviews the current panorama of in-situ conservation of archaeological earthen architecture, identifying architectural features, degradation mechanisms, interventions, and risk factors across 85 case studies, and analysing the degree of vulnerability associated with natural hazards through the assignment of values and the cross-referencing of geographical information within GIS environments. The originality of the study lies in the application of a quantitative, expert-weighted vulnerability assessment to in-situ archaeological earthen remains, combined with the integrated analysis of a large and diverse set of case studies rarely addressed together in the literature. The proposed methodology is conceived as replicable and transferable to other geographical contexts, chronological frameworks, and earthen heritage typologies. The preventive nature of the results supports organizational strategies aimed at minimizing damage, reducing the need for post-damage interventions, and establishing degrees of urgency.