Page 40 - TINA Dergi Sayi 11

TINA

Denizcilik Arkeolojisi Dergisi

Additionally, a shallow freshwater lake supplied 11- TARSUS (BERDAN) PLAIN, GÖZLÜKULE MOUND
by karstic springs originating from the foothills of the Located within the borders of the Tarsus District of
Toçak Mountain was found among these fans (Fig. 17). İçel Province, the Gözlükule Mound lies on the north-
The peat layers reached by drillings indicated that this western edge of Çukurova delta plain surrounded by
shallow water lake, which was potentially connected the Taurus Mountain to the north, and the Mediterra-
with the sea level, became very shallow and swampy nean Sea to the south (Fig. 4). Çukurova Plain has
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from time to time. It indicates that the sea level has de- been formed by the sediments transported by Seyhan,
creased a few meters and risen again during the past Ceyhan and Tarsus rivers, originating from the Taurus
7000-6000 years. Radiocarbon dating analysis showed Mountains. The sediments brought by the Tarsus and
that this period was between 4100 and 3400 years ago . Seyhan rivers have contributed to formation of the
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The ancient city of Limyra was initially established on western section of the plain on which the Gözlükule
the slopes of the Toçak Mountain and the alluvial cones mound is situated (Fig. 4, 19).
on its foothill, while late-period buildings of the city ex- A total of 19 alluvial core drillings were carried
panded onto the plain area after landscaping of fresh- out in order to determine environmental changes at
water lake and swamps by both natural and handmade Gözlükule Mound and its environs. According to the
drainages. Data obtained from the drillings in the Fini- results of core drilling samples, the Gözlükule Mound
ke Plain and the environs of the ancient city of Limyra is seated on a earlier alluvial cone of Tarsus river from
were analysed, resulting in generation of cross-sections, the Holocene era . Gözlükule was never situated on
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and paleogeographical maps of the region (Fig. 4, 17, the shoreline since the time it was initially settled.
18). The alluviums transported by existing streams to However, there might have been a connection with
the east and west of the Finike Plain have formed two the sea over the shallow water area to the southwest-
large alluvial fans. The area that remained between the ern part of the mound.
south of the Toçak Mountain and the fans yielded pres- During that period, the Aulai port in the Rhegma
ence of a shallow water environment or a lake although Laguna was accessible for ships from the sea. From
its boundaries cannot be established very clearly. Due that point, which was like an inner harbor, the city
to supply from karstic springs originating at the foot was accessible by smaller boats along the stream bed
of the Toçak Mountain, it is a freshwater lake (Fig. 17, of Tarsus river, which spills into that water environ-
18). The ancient city of Limyra was initially founded ment and passing through Tarsus during that period
around the lake and former alluvial cones surrounding (Fig. 19). Later on, the stream bed was moved to its
it. Late-period buildings of the city were constructed on present channel 1 km to the north of the city in order
the areas where the was dried up. To the south, this water to avoid floods of the Tarsus river .
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environment is delimited by a fluvial barrier consisting Due to this change in the watercourse, although
of coarse-grained alluvial material basically transported it gradually became a closed lake, the lagoon lying
by rivers. The southern section of the barrier has been to the south of Tarsus survived for a long period of
influenced by maritime effects, where also coastal-ae- time (Fig. 19). Because the sediments transported by
olian sands developed. It appears that rising sea level the Tarsus River, which spilled into this lake were
during the Early Holocene didn’t move further inland reduced, and little sediment was brought to the lake
in the section to the west of the Finike plain. It might when the riverbed inside the city was totally aban-
be related with a very old mass slip on the slope of the doned. The Rhegma Lake was gradually filled with
Gülmez Mountain overlooking the plain. alluviums by small streams descending to the plain
Deeper core drilling data showed thick peat layers be- from the heights on the north and waters from the
low the present sea level (Fig. 17, 18). Such desicca- former channel of the Tarsus river. Additionally, the
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tion is only possible by a sea level fall. Therefore, the floods of the Tarsus river flowing through its new
sea level has been lowered a few meters in the Bronze channel on the east have reached this area. From time
Age during which the peat layers were formed compared to time, Seyhan river headed towards this area, direct-
to present day. The settlements around the lake seem to ing sediments during floods, relatively being a bigger
have started when the sea reached its present level again. stream.

45 ÖNER – VARDAR 2018e
46 ÖNER 1997c; ÖNER – VARDAR 2018e
47 ÖZYAR et al 2003
48 ÖNER et al 2003a, 2003b
49 RAMSAY 2000

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