On the lion harbour and other harbours in Miletos: recent historical, archaeological, sedimentological, and geophysical research

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Environmental development and local human impact in the Jeetzel valley (N Germany) since 10 ka BP as detected by geoarchaeological analyses in a coupled aeolian and lacustrine sediment archive at Soven

While archaeological records indicate an intensive Mesolithic occupation of dune areas situated along river valleys, relatively little knowledge exists about environmental interactions in the form of land-use strategies and their possible local impacts. The combination of geoarchaeological, chronological, geochemical and palaeoecological research methods and their application both on a Mesoltihic site situated on top of a dune and the adjacent palaeochannel sediments allows for a detailed reconstruction of the local environmental development around the Soven site in the Jeetzel valley (Northern Germany) since ~10.5 ka cal BP. Based on the results, we identified four phases that may be related to local human impact twice during the Mesolithic, the Neolithic and the Iron Ages and are discussed on the backdrop of the regional settlement history. Although nearby Mesolithic occupation is evident on archaeological grounds, the identification of synchronous impacts on the vegetation in the local environmental records remains tentative even in respect of the broad methodical spectrum applied. Vice versa, human impact is strongly indicated by palaeoecological and geochemical proxies during the Neolithic period, but cannot be connected to archaeological records in the area so far. A younger phase of human impact – probably consisting of seasonal livestock farming in the wetlands – is ascribed to the Iron Age economy and comprises local soil erosion, raised concentrations of phosphates and urease, and the facilitation of grazing related taxa.researc

Geoarchaeology of Taman Peninsula (Kerch Strait, South-West Russia) – the Example of the Ancient Greek Settlement of Golubitskaya 2

In the framework of an extensive archaeological survey and excavation programme on Taman Peninsula, geoarchaeological research was carried out in this terra incognita of the north-eastern Black Sea region. In the present study, a small area was surveyed in detail with respect to its geomorphological and archaeological situation. Geoarchaeological scenarios were generated for the last seven millennia. For the first time, the sea level rise and its effect on the landscape could be documented in time and space, showing, among others, that Taman Peninsula had evolved out of an archipelago

Testing the accuracy of feldspar single grains to date late Holocene cyclone and tsunami deposits

Quartz is the preferred dosimeter for luminescence dating of Holocene sediments as optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signals reset rapidly upon light exposure, and are stable over time. However, feldspar is required where quartz luminescence properties are inappropriate for dating, as is often the case in geologically young mountain ranges and areas with young volcanism. Here we aim to evaluate the potential of single grain feldspar luminescence dating applied to late Holocene cyclone and tsunami deposits, for which complete signal resetting can a priori not be guaranteed. To address potential problems of feldspar dating of such deposits associated with heterogeneous bleaching, remnant doses and anomalous fading, we use a low-temperature post infrared infrared stimulated luminescence protocol (pIRIR150) on single grains. For most samples, good agreement between fading corrected IR50 and non-fading corrected pIRIR150 ages is observed. Both feldspar ages generally also show good agreement with age control provided by historical data and quartz luminescence ages. pIRIR150 remnant ages in modern analogue samples are shown to be 150, IR50 and quartz ages, indicates that a significant number of grains must have experienced relatively complete signal resetting during or immediately prior to transport, as the three signals are known to bleach at different rates. Since light exposure during the event is expected to be limited, we deduce that a significant portion of the grains in the cyclone and tsunami deposits was already bleached prior to the event of interest. These well-bleached grains were likely eroded at the beach, while other grains with larger remnant ages probably originate from the shallow subtidal, coastal barriers or even further inland sources. Additional signal resetting during storm and tsunami transport is indicated by slightly younger quartz than feldspar ages for grains with incomplete pre-transport resetting that were eroded at the Holocene coastal barrier.</p

The excavation at Limyra/Lycia 2016: preliminary report

Research focus “urbanistic studies in Limyra” With the approval of the scientific project “The Urbanistic Development of Limyra in the Hellenistic Period” for three years by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) (P29027-G25), the research program on urbanism that had already been conducted for several years could be intensified in 2016. Particular focus should be given to the development of Limyra especially in the period under consideration, whereby the extent, the structures, and the urban image ..

Geophysical prospections support the historical identification of the archaeological site at Lake Gala, Hebros/Maritsa/Meriç delta (Turkey)

Archaeological survey and combined geophysical measurements of magnetics were conducted. Geoelectrics and ground penetrating radar support the interpretation of a Roman station controlling a branch of the Via Egnatia leading to Ainos (modern Enez in Turkey). The site could be the first archaeological example of a road station in Thrace, constructed between the 1st and the 2nd century CE

Olympia’s Harbour Site Pheia (Elis, Western Peloponnese, Greece) Destroyed by Tsunami Impact

It is well known from historic catalogues that the Greek coast has repeatedly been struck by large earthquakes and associated tsunami events during the past millennia. The seismically highly active Hellenic Arc, where the African plate is being subducted by the Aegean microplate, is considered to be the most significant tsunami source in the wider region. The study presented in this paper focuses on sedimentary and geomorphological tsunami traces encountered at Pheia, western Peloponnese (Greece), one of the harbours of the nearby cult site Olympia. Sedimentological, pedological, geoarchaeological and geochemical analyses revealed tsunami sand and gravel of mostly marine origin reaching far inland. Wave refraction and channeling effects seem to have steepened tsunami waters up to 18-20 m above present sea level and induced tsunami water passage across the narrow Katakolo Pass into adjacent coastal plains. Tsunami deposits that were accumulated onshore were partly cemented and later exposed in the form of beachrock. By radiocarbon dating and archaeological age estimation of ceramic fragments, three distinct tsunami events were found, namely for the 6th millennium BC, for the time around 4300 ± 200 cal BC and for the Byzantine to post-Byzantine period. Olympia’s harbour site Pheia was finally destroyed by tsunami landfall, most probably in the 6th century AD and accompanied by co-seismic submergence