Page 38 - TINA Dergi Sayi 10

TINA

Denizcilik Arkeolojisi Dergisi

This article focuses on the Mediterranean sites time it was exposed as dry land during periods of
and presents the fundamentals of a seven point low sea level. Consequently, there was less time for
(A-G), multi-disciplinary model that has been evidence of human activity to accumulate. Also, the
developed based on the experience gained in Israel deeper areas have undergone a lengthier period of
over five decades. The model was developed for inundation. This resulted in greater destruction of
the Israeli coast having micro-tidal range; no sea the archaeological remains so that the probability of
freezing and minimal vertical earth crust movements encountering preserved prehistoric sites, decreases
(tectonic activity or eustasy). However, it may be with depth. Moreover, Palaeolithic sites were occu-
adapted and applied to other regions, to establish a pied by hunter-gatherers who would have left scanty
framework for the detection and study of submerged traces of their activities (e.g. they lacked stone struc-
prehistory. The model was constructed by consider- tures) relative to later agro-pastoral sedentary com-
ing features associated with the preferred location of munities. Thus, in shallow water, the probability of
prehistoric settlement, the survival of sites, search finding deposits with submerged prehistory is high-
methods used in locating and verifying existing er. However, modern human activities and marine
sites. In addition to the scientific procurement of the erosion are more destructive in these areas and the
archaeological material, and data analysis to charac- sites are endangered.
terize site typology (subsistence, culture, economy Experience from the Carmel coast suggests that
and symbolic characteristics), sea level and coastal the most productive approach to the discovery of in
changes and associated human responses are con- situ sites is to concentrate on areas having buried pa-
sidered. Finally, it addresses the management and laeosols at water depths of 1–15 m. Research should
protection of the submerged prehistoric cultural focus on such places, where the thickness of the sand
heritage. cover provides the optimum compromise between
tHe ISrAeLI mODeL protection and exposure of the underlying palaeo
A. SIte LOCAtIOn AnD SurVIVAL land surface. Chance exposures in the most prom-
Depth-dependent site survival: During the last ising areas should be followed up by systematic,
15
glacial maximum (ca. 20,000 years BP) the global underwater rescue survey and excavation, if needed.
sea level was ca -120 m below the present level . Sometimes the fringes of such sites can be identified
14
Thus, theoretically, signs of activities by prehistoric on the shore edge (figs. 4- 6), and some of the under-
peoples can be found in submerged landscapes on water settlements, notably Neve-Yam and Tel Hreiz,
the continental shelfs down to 120 m bsl. However, were first discovered in this way. Thus, locating, in-
Pleistocene sea-level curves (fig. 3) suggest that the vestigating, protecting and continuous monitoring of
deeper a certain point is on the sea bottom, the less shallow-water sites, should be given high priority .
17

14 SIDDALL et al. 2003
15 see details in GALILI et al. 2017a
16 WRESCHNER 1977a, 1977b, 1983; RONEN-OLAMI 1978; OLAMI 1984
17 GALILI et al. 2017a; GALILI 2017
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