#MAREMONDAY 14

On 02.05.2022 we present the 14th session of our online lecture series with a contribution by

Felix Reize
(Universität zu Köln)

Deciphering Ampurias’ past: a contribution from the geoarchaeological perspective

Abstract:

The archaeological site of Ampurias (Ἐμπόριον; Emporiae; Empúries) is the westernmost colony of the Magna Graecia. To better understand its settlement history, the study of the natural setting as well as its spatio-temporal changes is needed. Therefore, the geoarchaeological research approach is needed. My focus is on two areas of the settlement: (i) the natural harbour, which was particularly important for the Greek colonisers when they founded the settlement in 630/40 BC; and (ii) the development of the hinterland, with special consideration of the progradation of the Fuvià delta into the former marine embayment. Drill cores with Cobra coring device are the backbone of this research. The sediments columns were analysed for their sedimentological, geochemical, and microfaunal characteristics in order to differentiate the former environments (marine, littoral, lagoonal, limnic, fluvial). In a holistic view – including the so far achieved research results from archaeology and ancient history, as well from former geoarchaeological studies – this research can help to improve the existing landscape scenarios: (1) The natural harbour of Ampurias, situated at Neapolis, (1a) silted up much later than assumed so far; it was still navigable for smaller boats in late Antiquity and early Medieval times; (1b) the siltation process progressed from south to north. (2) As for the hinterland the eastward shifts in the estuarine/delta prism and in the coastline could be specified for some areas.

In the case of Ampurias, the estuarine and fluvial, as well as the harbour sediments are not suitable climate archives. The accumulation pattern does not follow climate changes but is rather caused by local effects (river dynamics, coastal currents, extreme events, human impact). Plus, the resolution of the 14C-based age-depth models is not high enough for detecting climate changes.

This research is carried out under the umbrella of DAI’s Groundcheck program, in this case headed by Dirce Marzoli, director of the DAI Madrid.