- Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
- Physical Geography, Geoarchaeology, Geomorphology, Ancient Ports and Harbours, Harbour Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, and 22 moreCoastal Geomorphology, Archaeology, Sedimentology, Prehistory, Anatolian Archaeology, Soil Erosion, Paleogeography, Holocene sea level change, Holocene, Ports and Harbours, Mediterranean archaeology, Mediterrranean Archaeology, GeoArcheology, Environmental Archaeology, Palaeoenvironment, Maritime Archaeology, Sea Level, Coastal Geography, Paleoenvironment, Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology, Aegean Archaeology, and Archaeology of Mediterranean Tradeedit
The focus of this article is to link historical accounts about former islands of the Anatolian gulfs of the Aegean Sea to geoarchaeological evidence. During the Holocene, prominent environmental and coastline changes have taken place in... more
The focus of this article is to link historical accounts about former islands of the Anatolian gulfs of the Aegean Sea to geoarchaeological evidence. During the Holocene, prominent environmental and coastline changes have taken place in many tectonic grabens of western Asia Minor, today's Turkey. The Büyük and the Küçük Menderes fault systems are excellent examples for deciphering these changes. Since mid-Holocene times, the eponymous rivers have advanced their deltas, silting up marine embayments which had once reached inland for tens of kilometres. To describe this terrestrial–marine–terrestrial evolution of estuarine islands we coin the term " life cycle of estu-arine islands ". Besides other factors, such as natural erosion, sea-level changes, and tectonic activities, the delta progradation was mainly governed by riverine sediment load, which, in turn, was to a great extent dependent on human impact on the vegetation cover of the drainage basins. Based on historical accounts as well as modern geoarchaeological research it is possible to reconstruct the spatio-temporal evolution of the landscape. For Miletos and the Büyük Menderes (Maiandros, Maeander) graben, remarkable transformations have been revealed: the metamorphosis of the marine gulf into residual lakes (Lake Azap, Lake Bafa), the landlocking of islands (Hybanda, Lade, Asteria, Nergiz Tepe), the transition of the Milesian archipelago to a peninsula and finally to a part of the floodplain. A dramatic effect of the ongoing accumulation of fine-grained sediments was the sil-tation of harbours – a major reason for the decline of the once flourishing coastal cities of Myous, Priene, Herakleia, and finally Miletos, today some 8 km inland. For Ephesos and the Küçük Menderes (Kaystros) graben, the research focused on the former island of Syrie. Pliny the Elder (Naturalis Historia, c. CE 77) attributed the landlocking of Syrie to the Kaystros River – a scenario which has been verified by our geoarchaeological research and 14 C–dated to the 5th century BC. The local foundation myth according to which an island, presumably Syrie, was the location of the first settlement of immigrants from the Greek mainland in the 11th century BCE can neither be proven nor disproven for lack of archaeological evidence. The delta advance was the main reason why the settlement sites and the harbours of Ephesos were relocated several times from the Early Iron Age to the Middle Ages.
- I am very happy that this article gets such a high rating, even though it is without footnotes and higher than my one! The standards of Humanities do not count so much any more! Its about money and power only. Think it over!
- I am very happy that this article gets such a high rating, even though it is without footnotes and higher than my one! The standards of Humanities do not count so much any more! Its about money and power only. Think it over!
Research Interests: Ancient History, Geoarchaeology, Ancient Greek History, Estuarine Ecology, Coastal and Estuarine Sediment Transport, and 12 moreAsia Minor, Geoarchaeology and Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions, Ephesos, Miletos, Islands, Küçük Mnderes Coastal Wetland, Maeander, Buyuk Menderes, Islands Archaeology, Islands and Archipelagos, Maiandros, and kaystros
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Research Interests:
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Ephesus was one of the most important harbour cities of the Roman Empire. This dissertation deals with the environmental changes of Ephesus and the Ephesia, i.e., the area surrounding the city (the so-called chora), with particular focus... more
Ephesus was one of the most important harbour cities of the Roman Empire. This dissertation deals with the environmental changes of Ephesus and the Ephesia, i.e., the area surrounding the city (the so-called chora), with particular focus on (i) the detection of Holocene coastline changes along the Küçük Menderes graben, (ii) the investigation of Ephesus’ different harbours and settlement sites, and (iii) the reconstruction of the landscape evolution in the Ephesia especially under the aspect of human-environment interactions since Neolithic times. To achieve these goals, drill cores were retrieved from geo-bio-archives and analysed with sedimentological, geochemical, micro- and macrofaunistic, micromorphological, palynological and parasitological methods. Geophysical measurements and archaeobotanical investigations support these studies. The chronology is based on 14C age estimates, archaeological evidence (e.g., diagnostic ceramics) and historical accounts.
The results prove that the postglacial sea-level rise had created a marine embayment, which reached c. 20 km inland during the middle of the 6th millennium BC. When the speed of this transgression decelerated considerably, the Küçük Menderes river started to prograde its delta. Two phases of delta advance can be distinguished: a slow progradation with low sedimentation rates between the 5th and the 1st millennia BC (up to 1 mm/y), and a much faster advance since then (c. 4–30 mm/y). The most likely reason for this considerable increase is human activities (mainly deforestation).
Settling in the Ephesia started during the Neolithic period. Two settlement sites in the floodplains of the Arvalya and Derbent valleys south of the Küçük Menderes graben, Arvalya Höyük and Çucuriçi Höyük, date to the 7th millennium BC. These settlement mounds are located c. 1.5–2 km south of the former coastline.
With the continued westward progradation of the deltas of the Küçük Menderes and its tributaries, the settlements and their harbours had to be shifted as well. The location of the so-called Sacred harbour near the Artemision, the famous Temple of Artemis, could be identified as a natural beach in a small embayment near the foot of Ayasoluk hill. It was in use from c. 1500 BC to max. 400 BC. With the ongoing siltation of the Sacred harbour, the Koressos harbour c. 1.5 km to the west came in use until this embayment was silted up as well. Thus, the city and its harbour were re-located further to the west in 289/288 BC by Lysimachos. This harbour was the predecessor of the hexagonal Roman–Byzantine harbour basin; it was intensively used from the 1st century BC to the 6th/7th centuries AD. While this site was most likely still accessible until the 13th century AD, the progressive siltation required the establishment of yet another harbour (Late Roman to Byzantine), located about 3.5 km to the west of the city and presumably in use until around AD 1000. Two more harbour sites can be detected even further to the west.
The harbours of Ephesus reveal the typical stratigraphy of a port in the Mediterranean: pre-harbour deposits at the base (i), overlain by harbour layers which were accumulated in a protected artificial basin and are characterised by increased sedimentation rates as well as a change in the microfossil assemblage (ii), and harbour abandonment layers on top (iii). In the Roman harbour and the harbour canal there are several indicators for dredging activities.
The following conclusions can be drawn regarding the vegetation changes. The presence of Cerealia-type pollen indicates agricultural activities as early as in the 7th millennium BC although by then the hills and hillslopes were still forested, i.e. covered by a natural vegetation community with an arboreal dominance of Quercus robur/cerris-type trees. Increased human activities are confirmed in the Roman harbour archive with eggs of intestinal parasites and roundworms, fruit tree pollen and heavy metal pollution; an intensive use is evident from the 1st century BC onwards. While high amounts of pine wood were used in Ephesus, low values of Pinus in the pollen profile seem to confirm deforestation activities in the vicinity of the city. Decreased human impact is reflected in the pollen record after the 6th/7th centuries AD with the decline of the city.
The swamps of Belevi in the hinterland of Ephesus are not only an excellent archive for the vegetation changes discussed above. They also archived an event layer: the Santorini ash of c. 1630 BC. It is the first find of this tephra in the environs of Ephesus.
The results prove that the postglacial sea-level rise had created a marine embayment, which reached c. 20 km inland during the middle of the 6th millennium BC. When the speed of this transgression decelerated considerably, the Küçük Menderes river started to prograde its delta. Two phases of delta advance can be distinguished: a slow progradation with low sedimentation rates between the 5th and the 1st millennia BC (up to 1 mm/y), and a much faster advance since then (c. 4–30 mm/y). The most likely reason for this considerable increase is human activities (mainly deforestation).
Settling in the Ephesia started during the Neolithic period. Two settlement sites in the floodplains of the Arvalya and Derbent valleys south of the Küçük Menderes graben, Arvalya Höyük and Çucuriçi Höyük, date to the 7th millennium BC. These settlement mounds are located c. 1.5–2 km south of the former coastline.
With the continued westward progradation of the deltas of the Küçük Menderes and its tributaries, the settlements and their harbours had to be shifted as well. The location of the so-called Sacred harbour near the Artemision, the famous Temple of Artemis, could be identified as a natural beach in a small embayment near the foot of Ayasoluk hill. It was in use from c. 1500 BC to max. 400 BC. With the ongoing siltation of the Sacred harbour, the Koressos harbour c. 1.5 km to the west came in use until this embayment was silted up as well. Thus, the city and its harbour were re-located further to the west in 289/288 BC by Lysimachos. This harbour was the predecessor of the hexagonal Roman–Byzantine harbour basin; it was intensively used from the 1st century BC to the 6th/7th centuries AD. While this site was most likely still accessible until the 13th century AD, the progressive siltation required the establishment of yet another harbour (Late Roman to Byzantine), located about 3.5 km to the west of the city and presumably in use until around AD 1000. Two more harbour sites can be detected even further to the west.
The harbours of Ephesus reveal the typical stratigraphy of a port in the Mediterranean: pre-harbour deposits at the base (i), overlain by harbour layers which were accumulated in a protected artificial basin and are characterised by increased sedimentation rates as well as a change in the microfossil assemblage (ii), and harbour abandonment layers on top (iii). In the Roman harbour and the harbour canal there are several indicators for dredging activities.
The following conclusions can be drawn regarding the vegetation changes. The presence of Cerealia-type pollen indicates agricultural activities as early as in the 7th millennium BC although by then the hills and hillslopes were still forested, i.e. covered by a natural vegetation community with an arboreal dominance of Quercus robur/cerris-type trees. Increased human activities are confirmed in the Roman harbour archive with eggs of intestinal parasites and roundworms, fruit tree pollen and heavy metal pollution; an intensive use is evident from the 1st century BC onwards. While high amounts of pine wood were used in Ephesus, low values of Pinus in the pollen profile seem to confirm deforestation activities in the vicinity of the city. Decreased human impact is reflected in the pollen record after the 6th/7th centuries AD with the decline of the city.
The swamps of Belevi in the hinterland of Ephesus are not only an excellent archive for the vegetation changes discussed above. They also archived an event layer: the Santorini ash of c. 1630 BC. It is the first find of this tephra in the environs of Ephesus.
Research Interests:
Çukuriçi Höyük and Arvalya Höyük are two prehistoric settlement mounds (tells) located in parallel striking valleys in the environs of Ephesus, W Turkey. They were studied with geoarchaeological methods in order to reconstruct their... more
Çukuriçi Höyük and Arvalya Höyük are two prehistoric settlement mounds (tells) located in parallel striking
valleys in the environs of Ephesus, W Turkey. They were studied with geoarchaeological methods in order to
reconstruct their environmental setting, areal extension and distinct settlement phases, as well as the vegetation
history. Both tells are situated on small ridges flanked by rivers and their alluvial plains which were suitable for
cultivation. The Neolithic coastline was located at a distance of c. 1.5–2 km to the north. Çukuriçi Höyük covers an
area of c. 200 m × 100 m; its strata have a total thickness of at least 8.50 m. The oldest remains, dating from the
7th millennium BC, represent an advanced Neolithic culture closely linked to the sea. The oldest foundations reveal
that the site was intentionally chosen on the ridge within the still naturally wooded vegetated landscape.
Other than Çukuriçi Höyük, Arvalya Höyük has not yet been excavated. However, geophysical measurements
and corings revealed that it covers an area of c. 100 m × 60 m, and that it is constructed of several settlement
layerswith a total thickness of at least 3.50 m. Radar and geomagnetic images show building structures including
fireplaces and pits, surrounded by a rampart-ditch construction as a potential enclosure.
valleys in the environs of Ephesus, W Turkey. They were studied with geoarchaeological methods in order to
reconstruct their environmental setting, areal extension and distinct settlement phases, as well as the vegetation
history. Both tells are situated on small ridges flanked by rivers and their alluvial plains which were suitable for
cultivation. The Neolithic coastline was located at a distance of c. 1.5–2 km to the north. Çukuriçi Höyük covers an
area of c. 200 m × 100 m; its strata have a total thickness of at least 8.50 m. The oldest remains, dating from the
7th millennium BC, represent an advanced Neolithic culture closely linked to the sea. The oldest foundations reveal
that the site was intentionally chosen on the ridge within the still naturally wooded vegetated landscape.
Other than Çukuriçi Höyük, Arvalya Höyük has not yet been excavated. However, geophysical measurements
and corings revealed that it covers an area of c. 100 m × 60 m, and that it is constructed of several settlement
layerswith a total thickness of at least 3.50 m. Radar and geomagnetic images show building structures including
fireplaces and pits, surrounded by a rampart-ditch construction as a potential enclosure.
Research Interests:
During Antiquity, Ephesos was an important harbour city. About 7 millennia ago the maximum Holocene trans-gression reached c. 20 km inland. Due to the progradation of the Küçük Menderes delta and its tributaries the coastline has... more
During Antiquity, Ephesos was an important harbour city. About 7 millennia ago the maximum Holocene trans-gression reached c. 20 km inland. Due to the progradation of the Küçük Menderes delta and its tributaries the coastline has continuously shifted westwards since then. Especially during Hellenistic time, the delta advanced for about 1.5 km, most probably because of human impact. Our interdisciplinary geoarchaeological research focuses on (i) the detection of spatial and temporal shifts of the coastline during the past millennia, together with esti-mations of sedimentation rates; (ii) the human impact on the landscape, especially in the environs of the Roman Harbour and canal which was constructed to maintain the connection to the sea; (iii) and the reconstruction of the vegetation history of the Ephesia. More than 30 core sequences were retrieved from geo-bioarchives. For a better understanding of the depositional environments, geochemical, sedimentological and palynological analyses, as well as the determination of the macro-and microfossils were carried out. Besides diagnostic ceramic finds, AMS-14C dating and tephrochronology was used for the chronological framework. Our drill cores enable us to reconstruct the coastline changes during the last millennia and to quantify sedimentation rates. Low sedimentation rates occurred from the 5th millennium BC to the 1st millennium BC; this fact contrasts with higher rates there-after (most probably due to human activities as deforestation and agriculture). The second aim of the studies is to identify the anthropogenic influence in the sediments of the Roman Harbour. A stratified layer of 1.30 m thickness clearly proves the intensive harbour use between the 2nd cent. BC and the 5th cent. AD, the prosperity period of the city. The stratification probably results mainly from the discharge of sewage and waste of the city into the harbour. Heavy metal concentrations as copper also rise in this layer. In the harbour canal, we also assume strong human impact: an intestinal parasite (Trichuris cf. trichiura), fruit tree as well as sugar melon pollen were found in the cores. The third aim is to reconstruct the vegetation history during the last millennia with palynological tools. Three drill cores were analyzed for pollen remains dating back to the 6th millennium BC. The first results reveal the dominance of deciduous oak, in a landscape with human impact, already from the 6th millennium BC onwards. In one core, we detected a rapid decrease in pollen grains, coinciding with the appearance of a volcanic ash from the Minoan eruption of Thera volcano (Santorini) in 1630 BC. From Hellenistic and Roman times onwards, fruit trees (olive, chestnut, walnut) appear next to crop and pasture farming. After the destruction of the city by earthquakes in the 3rd cent. AD, pine trees became dominant, presumably on abandoned land.
Research Interests:
Ephesus (Greek name: Ephesos) in Western Turkey was an important harbour city during Antiquity. The progradation of the Küçük Menderes delta has continuously shifted the coastline westwards. Thus, along with the delta progradation, new... more
Ephesus (Greek name: Ephesos) in Western Turkey was an important harbour city during Antiquity. The
progradation of the Küçük Menderes delta has continuously shifted the coastline westwards. Thus, along
with the delta progradation, new harbour sites had to be established in a western direction. Historical
sources refer to different harbours. While much is known about the Roman and older ones, the exact
location of the ports and the coastline in late Roman and Byzantine times is still an open question.
This article presents the results of geoarchaeological research in the area located along the southern
flank of the Küçük Menderes graben near Ephesus. Sediments from cores were examined with
geochemical, sedimentological, and microfaunal analyses. These data were combined with the study of
ancient maps and satellite images. The chronological framework was rendered by AMS-14C ages and
diagnostic ceramics. The farthermost inland shoreline dates from 5000 BC; since then, delta progradation
has continuously shifted the shoreline westwards. Çanakgöl, today a little lake to the west of the city of
Ephesus is identified as the harbour site in late Roman and Byzantine times. This harbour persisted at
least until the 16th century AD. Further, a landing site with a pier was discovered west of Çanakgöl,
presumably dating to the late ByzantineeOttoman times.
progradation of the Küçük Menderes delta has continuously shifted the coastline westwards. Thus, along
with the delta progradation, new harbour sites had to be established in a western direction. Historical
sources refer to different harbours. While much is known about the Roman and older ones, the exact
location of the ports and the coastline in late Roman and Byzantine times is still an open question.
This article presents the results of geoarchaeological research in the area located along the southern
flank of the Küçük Menderes graben near Ephesus. Sediments from cores were examined with
geochemical, sedimentological, and microfaunal analyses. These data were combined with the study of
ancient maps and satellite images. The chronological framework was rendered by AMS-14C ages and
diagnostic ceramics. The farthermost inland shoreline dates from 5000 BC; since then, delta progradation
has continuously shifted the shoreline westwards. Çanakgöl, today a little lake to the west of the city of
Ephesus is identified as the harbour site in late Roman and Byzantine times. This harbour persisted at
least until the 16th century AD. Further, a landing site with a pier was discovered west of Çanakgöl,
presumably dating to the late ByzantineeOttoman times.
Geoarchaeology, defined as the application of geosciences and geographical methods to prehistory, archaeology, and history, is now widely applied to study key subjects such as occupation patterns, territory and site exploitation,... more
Geoarchaeology, defined as the application of geosciences and geographical methods to prehistory, archaeology, and history, is now widely applied to study key subjects such as occupation patterns, territory and site exploitation, palaeoclimatic, palaeoenvironemental, and palaeogeographical change, as well as anthropogenic impacts and system responses. The multidisciplinary and multiscalar dimensions of geoarchaeological approaches have encouraged continuous development and innovation of methods and approaches that have opened new possibilities for explorations in geographical sectors previously inaccessible (aerial, submarine, and underground), the development of large-scale data acquisitions and treatment (through spatial analysis and the use of GIS), and also the development of microscopic scale analysis precision (micro fauna or vegetal remains, micromorphology). This session will highlight global research in geoarchaeology with particular emphasis on innovative methods or cutting edge research using established approaches.
Research Interests:
A geoarchaeology panel titled "Coastal geoarchaeology in the Mediterranean – on the interdependence of landscape dynamics, harbour installations and economic prosperity in the littoral realm" will be organized as part of Session 2 "The... more
A geoarchaeology panel titled "Coastal geoarchaeology in the Mediterranean – on the interdependence of landscape dynamics, harbour installations and economic prosperity in the littoral realm" will be organized as part of Session 2 "The impact of natural environmental factors on ancient economy: climate, landscape" of the 19th International Congress of Classical Archaeology, to be held at Cologne/Bonn (Germany), 22–26 May 2018. Any contribution related to this topic are welcome. Please submit your papers online through the conference website:
http://www.aiac2018.de/
Coastal geoarchaeology in the Mediterranean – on the interdependence of landscape dynamics, harbour installations and economic prosperity in the littoral realm Organizers: Max Engel and Friederike Stock (University of Cologne) Mediterranean coastlines are highly dynamic geomorphic landscapes with lateral progradation of up to tens of kilometres in alluvial delta regions during the last 5000 years. After the significant deceleration of post-glacial eustatic sea-level rise around 7000-6000 years ago, a complex interplay of regional and local factors such as vertical tectonic movements, glacial isostatic rebound, sediment supply by rivers and coastal currents, deltaic compaction, and human intervention, led to locally different histories of coastal formation. As the coastal zone provided essential access to food, maritime commerce and colonisation activities, its dynamical nature had a significant impact on the prosperity of ancient communities. In fact, Mediterranean harbours as the gateways to the maritime realm were constantly threatened by gradual sedimentation, tectonic uplift or subsidence, as well as extreme events such as earthquakes or tsunamis. Many harbours became landlocked due to coastal progradation with fundamental repercussions on the political and economic status of ancient poleis. We invite any contributions studying the influence of the dynamic, physical coastal environment on human communities during Antiquity, may this influence be through gradual, long-term sedimentary or geomorphic processes, or episodic such as through earthquakes or tsunamis. We also invite contributions on any type of ancient human influence on the physical coastal environment including but not limited to the implementation of engineering measures or chemical or sedimentary imprints. All types of contributions are envisaged, including excavation-and field-based case studies, those comprising numerical models, synthesising reviews or advances in scientific methodology and techniques.
http://www.aiac2018.de/
Coastal geoarchaeology in the Mediterranean – on the interdependence of landscape dynamics, harbour installations and economic prosperity in the littoral realm Organizers: Max Engel and Friederike Stock (University of Cologne) Mediterranean coastlines are highly dynamic geomorphic landscapes with lateral progradation of up to tens of kilometres in alluvial delta regions during the last 5000 years. After the significant deceleration of post-glacial eustatic sea-level rise around 7000-6000 years ago, a complex interplay of regional and local factors such as vertical tectonic movements, glacial isostatic rebound, sediment supply by rivers and coastal currents, deltaic compaction, and human intervention, led to locally different histories of coastal formation. As the coastal zone provided essential access to food, maritime commerce and colonisation activities, its dynamical nature had a significant impact on the prosperity of ancient communities. In fact, Mediterranean harbours as the gateways to the maritime realm were constantly threatened by gradual sedimentation, tectonic uplift or subsidence, as well as extreme events such as earthquakes or tsunamis. Many harbours became landlocked due to coastal progradation with fundamental repercussions on the political and economic status of ancient poleis. We invite any contributions studying the influence of the dynamic, physical coastal environment on human communities during Antiquity, may this influence be through gradual, long-term sedimentary or geomorphic processes, or episodic such as through earthquakes or tsunamis. We also invite contributions on any type of ancient human influence on the physical coastal environment including but not limited to the implementation of engineering measures or chemical or sedimentary imprints. All types of contributions are envisaged, including excavation-and field-based case studies, those comprising numerical models, synthesising reviews or advances in scientific methodology and techniques.