Search Results (102)

Saline archaeological artifacts are highly susceptible to deterioration caused by salt crystallization and moisture–material interactions, particularly in coastal archaeological contexts affected by saline water intrusion. This persistent challenge necessitates the development of temporary, low-impact protective materials capable of limiting saline ingress. The present study reports on a preliminary assessment of modified polycaprolactone (PCL) films containing graphene oxide (GO) at 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5% to evaluate their potential as temporary barrier layers under saline stress conditions. Free-standing PCL/GO films were fabricated via solvent casting and exposed to natural Ionian seawater in a controlled laboratory incubation environment at 15 °C for up to 90 days, simulating early-stage saline exposure while controlling environmental variability and physical stress. Film behavior was evaluated through complementary surface, structural, mechanical, and permeability analyses. The findings indicate that GO content significantly influences surface wettability, microstructural evolution, and water transport properties. Low GO content (0.1%) enhanced barrier performance while maintaining structural integrity and controlled hydrolytic softening. In contrast, higher GO contents (0.25–0.5%) resulted in increased hydrophilicity, accelerated surface erosion, and greater mechanical degradation due to enhanced water uptake. Observed mass loss is attributed to early-stage hydrolysis rather than long-term biodegradation. This investigation is a material-level screening and does not represent a direct validation for conservation application. With superior stability and enhanced barrier properties, the optimized PCL/GO 0.1% film suggests significant potential for the protection of saline-affected archaeological materials. Full article

Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) requires multi-scalar, high-resolution monitoring data to effectively address climate change impacts, particularly sea-level rise and accelerated erosion. This study presents an innovative Remote Sensing (RS) and Geoinformatics approach to precisely quantify and contextualize the exposure of sandy beaches. The research focuses on the highly dynamic insular tidal inlet margin of the Pontal Sul da Ilha de Itamaracá, located within a tropical estuarine system in Northeast Brazil that is subject to intense anthropogenic pressure. The methodology of this study integrates high-resolution GNSS-PPK surveys from two seasonal cycles (2017–2018) with a Difference of DEMs (DoD) analysis to precisely quantify seasonal sediment transport. Furthermore, a multi-temporal analysis leverages the Fort Orange Archaeological Site as a stable datum, combining colonial-era maps with modern satellite imagery to trace shoreline evolution. During the 2017–2018 period, maximum erosion (up to ~2.60 m in altimetric losses) affected the southern and central-northern shoreline, while accretion (up to ~2.25 m in altimetric gains) occurred between these erosional sectors and in the northeastern offshore area. This multi-scalar approach provides the robust data necessary for ICZM, effectively prioritizing sustainable, nature-based strategies that align with local administrative capacities. Full article

Mediterranean coastal cultural heritage sites are increasingly threatened by the impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events, which endanger both their physical integrity and their cultural and economic value. Safeguarding these vulnerable cultural assets requires approaches that integrate technological innovation with effective governance and management strategies. This study presents a systematic review of research published between 2000 and 2024, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to ensure methodological rigor and transparency. Searches were conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, limited to English-language studies explicitly addressing coastal cultural heritage in the Mediterranean. A total of 77 studies were analyzed using bibliometric and spatial techniques to examine thematic trends, methodological orientations, and regional patterns. Results reveal a sharp rise in scholarly output after 2014, with Italy, Greece, and Cyprus emerging as dominant contributors. The literature demonstrates a strong emphasis on tangible cultural heritage, particularly archaeological sites and monuments, while cultural landscapes and nature–culture systems receive comparatively limited attention. Methodologically, the field is dominated by digital and technology-driven tools such as GIS, remote sensing, 3D documentation, and climate modelling, with socially grounded and participatory approaches appearing in less than 5% of studies. More than 70% of the reviewed works adopt case study designs, which constrain comparative and generalizable insights. In contrast, a predominance of future-oriented assessments highlights a persistent lack of present-day monitoring and baseline data. Collectively, these findings clarify the paper’s exclusive focus on coastal cultural heritage, underscore the need to broaden geographical coverage, integrate socio-institutional dimensions with environmental diagnostics, and prioritize empirical, present-focused approaches. In this direction, future research will advance an integrated framework for assessing coastal vulnerability at both site-specific and regional scales, supporting proactive and evidence-based conservation planning. Full article

Saltwater Intrusion (SWI) is threatening coastal archaeological sites, particularly in Crotone, southern Italy. The study area has been experiencing notable SWI due to over-pumping of groundwater, rising land subsidence, and climate change. Consequently, this study examines the applicability of polycaprolactone (PCL), a common biodegradable polymer, as a protective barrier for archaeological conservation. PCL films were synthesized via solvent casting and dried under controlled conditions. Physicochemical properties of the films were evaluated using six analytical techniques: (1) contact angle measurements for surface hydrophobicity, (2) Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for chemical stability, (3) Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for morphological characterization, (4) permeability testing for evaluating saltwater diffusion, (5) mechanical testing for tensile properties, and (6) biodegradability assays for degradation rates. All samples were evaluated at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days in natural seawater. Results from these tests indicate that unmodified PCL films exhibited moderate hydrophobicity, partial hydrolytic degradation, resistance to permeability, declining mechanical strength, and limited biodegradability over the testing period. Full article

Protection of coastal cultural heritage is among the most urgent global priorities, as these sites face increasing threats from climate change, sea level rise, and human activity. This study emphasises the value of innovative geospatial tools and data ecosystems for timely risk assessment. The role of land administration systems, geospatial documentation of coastal cultural heritage sites, and the adoption of innovative techniques that combine various methodologies is crucial for timely action. The coastal management infrastructure in Greece is presented, outlining the key public authorities and national legislation, as well as the land administration and geospatial ecosystems and the various available geospatial ecosystems. We profile the Hellenic Cadastre and the Hellenic Archaeological Cadastre along with open geospatial resources, and introduce TRIQUETRA Decision Support System (DSS), produced through the EU’s Horizon project, and a Digital Twin methodology for hazard identification, quantification, and mitigation. Particular emphasis is given to the role of Digital Twin technology, which acts as a continuously updated virtual replica of coastal cultural heritage sites, integrating heterogeneous geospatial datasets such as cadastral information, photogrammetric 3D models, climate projections, and hazard simulations, allowing for stakeholders to test future scenarios of sea level rise, flooding, and erosion, offering an advanced tool for resilience planning. The approach is validated at the coastal archaeological site of Aegina Kolona, where a UAV-based SfM-MVS survey produced using high-resolution photogrammetric outputs, including a dense point cloud exceeding 60 million points, a 5 cm resolution Digital Surface Model, high-resolution orthomosaics with a ground sampling distance of 1 cm and 2.5 cm, and a textured 3D model using more than 6000 nadir and oblique images. These products provided a geospatial infrastructure for flood risk assessment under extreme rainfall events, following a multi-scale hydrologic–hydraulic modelling framework. Island-scale simulations using a 5 m Digital Elevation Model (DEM) were coupled with site-scale modelling based on the high-resolution UAV-derived DEM, allowing for the nested evaluation of water flow, inundation extents, and velocity patterns. This approach revealed spatially variable flood impacts on individual structures, highlighted the sensitivity of the results to watershed delineation and model resolution, and identified critical intervention windows for temporary protection measures. We conclude that integrating land administration systems, open geospatial data, and Digital Twin technology provides a practical pathway to proactive and efficient management, increasing resilience for coastal heritage against climate change threats. Full article

Stony corals are long-lived, calcifying cnidarians that can be preserved within archaeological strata, offering insights into past seawater conditions, anthropogenic influences, and harbor dynamics. This study analyzes sub-fossil Cladocora sp. colonies from ancient Akko, Israel, dated to the Hellenistic period (~335–94 BCE), alongside modern Cladocora caespitosa from Haifa Bay, Israel. We employed micromorphology, stable isotope analysis, and DNA sequencing to assess species identity, colony growth form, and environmental conditions experienced by the corals. Comparisons suggest that Hellenistic Akko corals grew in high-light, cooler-water, high-energy environments, potentially with exposure to terrestrial waste. The exceptional preservation of these colonies indicates rapid burial, possibly linked to ancient harbor activities or extreme sedimentation. Our results demonstrate the utility of scleractinian corals as valuable paleoenvironmental archives, capable of integrating both biological and geochemical proxies to reconstruct past marine conditions. By linking archaeological and ecological records, this multidisciplinary approach provides a comprehensive understanding of historical coastal dynamics, including ancient harbor use, climate variability, and anthropogenic impacts. Full article

This paper examines the exploitation of marine molluscs in the Western Isles of Scotland, from the Bronze Age to Norse periods (2500 BCE–1266 CE). Through analysis of shell assemblages from thirteen archaeological sites, we investigate changing shellfish exploitation practices across time and space. We consider whether these variations reflect cultural preferences, local availability and environments, or evidence of unsustainable harvesting practices. The research examines not only dietary contributions but also explores potential non-food uses of shells, as well as providing insights into coastal environment exploitation. While limpets (Patella spp.) remained consistently important throughout much of prehistory, there was a notable shift toward periwinkles (Littorina littorea), beginning in the Late Iron Age and continuing into the Norse period. This transition appears to reflect a combination of cultural preferences and local ecological availability rather than simple resource depletion. The study highlights the value of standardised methodological approaches to shell analysis and the importance of considering individual and community agency in the interpretation of zooarchaeological assemblages. Full article

Recent archaeological discoveries across the Aegean, Cyprus, and western Anatolia have renewed interest in pre-Neolithic seafaring and early island colonization. However, the environmental contexts that support such early coastal occupations remain poorly understood, largely due to the submergence of Pleistocene shorelines following post-glacial sea-level rise. This study addresses this gap through an integrated geoarchaeological investigation of the pre-Neolithic site of Ouriakos on Lemnos Island, northeastern Aegean (Greece), dated to the mid-11th millennium BCE. By reconstructing both the terrestrial and submerged paleolandscapes of the site, we examine ecological conditions, resource availability, and sedimentary processes that shaped human activity and site preservation. Employing a multiscale methodological approach—combining bathymetric survey, geomorphological mapping, soil micromorphology, geochemical analysis, and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating—we present a comprehensive framework for identifying and interpreting early coastal settlements. Stratigraphic evidence reveals phases of fluvial, aeolian, and colluvial deposition associated with an alternating coastline. The core findings reveal that Ouriakos was established during a phase of environmental stability marked by paleosol development, indicating sustained human presence. By bridging terrestrial and marine data, this research contributes significantly to the understanding of human coastal mobility during the Pleistocene–Holocene transition. Full article

Geoarchaeological work and excavations of the Helike Project over the last 30 years in the Helike coastal plain, Gulf of Corinth, have yielded abundant evidence on ancient settlements, as well as the surrounding landscape and environmental changes that resulted from geological phenomena and catastrophic events. The research methods applied by the Helike Project followed a multidisciplinary approach, including combined archaeological excavations and palaeoseismological trenching, geophysical prospection, archaeometric, environmental, and soil micromorphology analyses, and computer-based landscape modelling. A wealth of settlement remains that were unearthed across the plain, ranging in date from the Early Helladic period (3rd millennium BC) to the Late Antiquity (5th century AD), indicates that the ancient inhabitants of the area chose to always resettle in the area by adjusting their ways of living to the geomorphology and natural hazards, prevailing each time. Our results show that disasters in the area increased between the Geometric and Roman times due to severe earthquakes that occurred approximately every 300 years. In particular, archaeological and geological finds recovered from the Late Classical–Hellenistic Helike settlement, which was revived in the western part of the plain shortly after the disastrous 373 BC earthquake, have enriched our knowledge regarding the historical seismicity of the region and past human–environment relationships. Full article

The sustainable preservation of archeological heritage located in rural and coastal regions requires more than technical interventions; it necessitates the awareness and active participation of local communities. However, community involvement in heritage management in such areas remains limited. This study aims to analyze the levels of cultural heritage awareness, conservation tendencies, and tourism-related expectations among local residents and visitors in the Magarsus Archeological Area, located in the Karataş district on the eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The study was conducted in three phases: a literature review, field observations, and a structured survey conducted between June and August 2022 with 510 participants (280 local residents and 230 domestic visitors from surrounding provinces). The data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 through descriptive statistical methods, complemented by cross-tabulation and chi-square analysis to identify patterns across demographic variables. The survey results not only reflect general perceptions about heritage and tourism but also offer critical insights into how the rural and coastal character of the site shapes conservation attitudes and tourism behavior. The findings reveal nuanced perceptions, including strong symbolic appreciation for heritage and general openness to tourism, alongside concerns about cultural and environmental risks. While the local community prioritizes the potential for economic benefit, many participants also emphasized the importance of safeguarding local traditions, crafts, and culinary heritage. Nevertheless, concerns were expressed regarding the risks posed by uncontrolled tourism, including environmental degradation, erosion of cultural identity, and the commodification of heritage values. Based on these insights, the study introduces a governance approach built upon three interlinked pillars: community-based participation, environmental sustainability, and tourism practices aligned with cultural values. The proposed approach aims to support the inclusive and sustainable management of Magarsus and other rural and coastal archeological landscapes with similar characteristics. Full article

The study assesses coastal evolution and the vulnerability of archaeological sites in Southeastern Crete. Shoreline dynamics since the 1940s were examined through the interpretation of high-resolution aerial photographs and satellite images. A set of climatic variables, as well as data on geomorphological and geological factors obtained from fieldwork, images interpretation, archives, and open-source datasets, were analysed. The influence of these variables on coastal dynamics was evaluated using regression analysis, correlating their spatial distribution with rates of shoreline retreat/advance. Based on this, variables for the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) calculation were selected, and the weighting for the weighted CVI (CVI_w) was determined. The classical CVI identified 13.7% of the study area’s coastline as having very high vulnerability to coastal hazards, 15.5% as highly vulnerable. In the case of CVI_w, 17.5% of the coasts of the area were classified as having very high level of vulnerability, 39.6%—as highly vulnerable. Both approaches, the CVI and the weighted CVI, highlighted the most vulnerable areas in the north, east, and southeast of Koufonisi Island, as well as the north and east of Chrisi Island. The least vulnerable areas include the wide beaches in enclosed bays, such as Gra Lygia, Ierapetra, and Ferma, along with rocky capes east of Ierapetra. Among the five archaeological sites examined, two (Lefki Roman Town and Stomio Roman Villa) fall within zones of high or very high coastal vulnerability. This study provides the first in-depth analysis of coastal dynamics and vulnerability of Southeastern Crete, a region with significant cultural heritage yet previously under-researched. Full article

This study examines the relative sea-level changes during the Upper Holocene period along the south coastline of Cyprus through the investigation of beachrock formations and their impact on archaeological sites. Beachrock, as a natural indicator of past relative sea levels, provides valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between sea-level fluctuations and human settlements. The research integrates field observations, mineralogical and geochemical analysis, geochronological studies, and archaeological data to reconstruct past sea-level variations and their implications for coastal archaeological sites. The results reveal significant fluctuations in relative sea levels during the Upper Holocene, influencing the development and occupation of coastal archaeological sites. By elucidating the complex relationship between sea-level changes and human activity, this study contributes to our understanding of past coastal environments and their socio-cultural dynamics. Moreover, it underscores the importance of considering geological factors in archaeological interpretations and coastal management strategies in the face of contemporary sea-level rise. Full article

Background/Objectives: The archaeobotanical taxon “Triticum parvicoccum” was first described in 1980 as a small-grained, naked, free-threshing, and dense ear tetraploid wheat species (2n = 4x = 28) identified from archaeological remains. This primitive tetraploid, cultivated in the Levant approximately 9000 years ago and subsequently dispersed throughout the Fertile Crescent, represents a potential contributor of the BBAA genomes to T. aestivum. This study aims to resolve the complex nomenclatural status of this taxon, which has remained ambiguous due to competing interpretations under fossil and non-fossil taxonomic regulations. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive nomenclatural review to evaluate the taxonomic validity of T. parvicoccum, analyzing previous research on the classification of archaeobotanical materials in relation to fossil status. Results: Our analysis demonstrated that archaeobotanical materials do not qualify as fossils and led to the validation of the taxon at a subspecific rank as a non-fossil entity: T. turgidum subsp. parvicoccum Kislev. subsp. nov. The holotype was established using a charred rachis fragment from Timnah (Tel Batash), an archaeological site on the inner Coastal Plain (Shfela) adjacent to the western piedmont of the Judean Mountains, Israel. Conclusions: This study resolves the longstanding nomenclatural uncertainty surrounding this archaeologically significant wheat taxon, providing a valid taxonomic designation that reflects its biological and historical importance while adhering to current botanical nomenclature standards. Full article

Beachrock is a sedimentary rock that forms rapidly through the cementation of beach-associated clasts by calcium carbonate within the intertidal zone. On the southern coast of Israel, Holocene beachrock exposures typically appear as linear, shore-parallel platforms that dip seawards. In the archeological record, beachrock was exploited as a natural resource for various purposes, including the production of querns, millstones, basins, building stones, and other architectural elements. At Tel Yavne, a site continuously settled from the Chalcolithic period to the present day, excavations in the eastern and southern fringes revealed an extensive industrial compound dating to the Byzantine and early Islamic periods. This compound underscores the settlement’s economic and industrial prominence during those eras. Numerous beachrock artifacts were uncovered, and this study examines their practical applications while characterizing their composition and microstructure. This research highlights the role of beachrock as a key resource, providing insights into inland–coastal economic interactions in antiquity and broadening our understanding of its use within the socio-economic landscape of the region. Full article

Along the southern North Sea coast from the Netherlands to Denmark, human cultivation efforts have created a unique cultural landscape. Since the Middle Ages, these interactions between humans and natural forces have induced major coastal changes. In North Frisia (Germany), storm floods in 1362 AD and 1634 AD turned wide areas of embanked cultural land into tidal flats. Systematic geoarchaeological investigations between Nordstrand and Hallig Südfall comprise coring, trenching, sedimentary, geochemical and microfaunal palaeoenvironmental parameter analyses and radiocarbon dating. Together with geophysical prospection results and archaeological surveys, they give insights into the landscape’s development and causes for land losses. Results reveal that fens and bogs dominated from c. 800 BC to 1000 AD but are mostly missing in the stratigraphy. Instead, we found 12th to 14th cent. AD settlement remains directly on top of a pre-800 BC fossil marsh. This hiatus of c. 2000 years combined with local ‘Hufen’ settlements implies an extensive removal of peat during cultivation eventually resulting in the use of underlying marshland for agricultural purposes. Fifteenth cent. AD tidal flat deposits on top of the cultivated marsh prove that human impact lowered the ground surface below the mean high water of that time, clearly increasing the coastal vulnerability. We consider these intensive human–environment interactions as a decisive trigger for the massive loss of land and establishment of the tidal flats in North Frisia that are currently part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Wadden Sea”. Full article