Palaeoenvironmental implications of a marine geoarchaeological survey conducted in the SW Argosaronic gulf, Greece

Bibliographic Data

ID13096232
AuthorsMaria Geraga (0000-0002-6861-2789, University of Patras), George Papatheodorou (0000-0003-3732-1900, University of Patras, corresponding author), Christos Agouridis (Hellenic Centre for Marine Research), Helen Kaberi (0000-0002-4399-4055, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research), Μαργαρίτα Ιατρού (0000-0001-9400-9310, University of Patras), Dimitris Christodoulou (0000-0002-3012-6865, University of Patras), Elias Fakiris (0000-0002-3290-5467, University of Patras), Michael Prevenios (0000-0001-9493-8777, University of Patras), Σ Κορδελλά (0000-0001-8496-9748, University of Patras), G Ferentinos (0000-0002-4151-7909, University of Patras)
Year2016
Volume12
Pages805-818
Publication date2016-08-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Archaeological Science Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2352-409X • E-ISSN: 2352-4103
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jasrep.2016.08.004
OpenAlexW2512053835
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited35

A marine geoarcheological survey was conducted at the southwestern end of the Argosaronic gulf in Greece, an area of archaeological importance. The survey was initiated by the discovery of a Late Bronze Age (LBA) shipwreck off Modi Islet. The survey which employed echo-sounding, sub-bottom profiling, side scan sonar systems and sediment coring extended to the area between Poros Island, Modi Islet and Argolid peninsula, aiming to evaluate the changes of the coastal zone extent in the past. The evolution of the palaeo-shoreline over the last 20 ka is proposed based on the interpretation of the acquired bathymetric and seismic records, the estimation of the thickness of the marine sediments and the examination of existing datasets of the relative sea level changes in the area. The produced scenarios suggest that major changes marked the extent of the coastal zone since the Paleolithics. During the Upper Paleolithic period, the coast was larger by at least 11 km2 and Poros and Modi islands were connected to the Peloponnesus. The sea level rise during the Mesolithic period formed a well-protected bay between Poros Island and Peloponessus and disconnected the Modi Islet from Poros Island. The coastal zone reached the present configuration around Late Bronze Age. The detection and mapping of scarps on the seismic profiles imply that the sea level rise presented standstills at least from the Last Glacial maximum until the onset of Holocene. However, the submerged coasts could be potential areas of archaeological interest since the examined area is habited continuously from the Paleolithic period. The acoustic data sets produced high resolution geomorphological maps at the wreck site which constitute data base for the monitoring of the site. In addition, the examination of the seafloor texture at the wreck site suggests that the seafloor characteristics were unfavorable for the preservation of the shipwreck

Archaeology · Bathymetry · Bay · Coring · Drilling · Geography · Glacial period · Holocene · Peninsula · Period (music · Radiocarbon dating · Shore · Archaeological Research and Protection · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Maritime and Coastal Archaeology · Geology · Oceanography · Paleontology

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