Geoarchaeology of ancient Mediterranean harbours

Abstract

The geoarchaeological research of ancient harbours enables the study of relations between societies living by harbours and those of coastal environments. Research into harbour archaeology is still limited for several reasons. First of all, these studies are oriented more towards analysis of the great harbour cities rather than their harbour complexes. Secondly, the proximity of the body of seawater makes operations for pumping the water table difficult. Finally, often only the -harbour structures have attracted the interest of researchers at the expense of the associated marine stratigraphic units. A harbour basin is defined by three elements: a container (the structures: moles, wharves, posts...), a content (composed of accumulated sediments and a column of water above) and a water surface upon which ships circulate (sea level). Our approach takes these three elements into account and studies three types of problems. The question Where? deals with locating the harbours, whether immerged or buried beneath the sediments. The question When? enables definition of the chronological terms. The dates of foundation and abandonment are defined as well as the duration of the time that the harbour was functional. The question How? takes on the theme of the natural mobility of the coastal landscapes and the impacts of anthropization related to the emergence and development of harbour societies.

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