Late Holocene Paleogeography of the Coastal Plain of the Gulf of Messenia, Greece, and Its Relationships to Archaeological Settings and Coastal Change

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 1975 Late Holocene Paleogeography of the Coastal Plain of the Gulf of Messenia, Greece, and Its Relationships to Archaeological Settings and Coastal Change JOHN C. KRAFT; JOHN C. KRAFT 1Department of Geology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19711 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GEORGE RAPP, JR.; GEORGE RAPP, JR. 2Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 554553Hellenic Institute of Oceanographic and Fishing Research, Agios Kosmas, Ellinikon, Athens, Greece Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar STANLEY E. ASCHENBRENNER STANLEY E. ASCHENBRENNER 4Minnesota Messenia Expedition, Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information JOHN C. KRAFT 1Department of Geology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19711 GEORGE RAPP, JR. 2Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 554553Hellenic Institute of Oceanographic and Fishing Research, Agios Kosmas, Ellinikon, Athens, Greece STANLEY E. ASCHENBRENNER 4Minnesota Messenia Expedition, Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1975) 86 (9): 1191–1208. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1975)86<1191:LHPOTC>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation JOHN C. KRAFT, GEORGE RAPP, STANLEY E. ASCHENBRENNER; Late Holocene Paleogeography of the Coastal Plain of the Gulf of Messenia, Greece, and Its Relationships to Archaeological Settings and Coastal Change. GSA Bulletin 1975;; 86 (9): 1191–1208. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1975)86<1191:LHPOTC>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The coastal plain of the Pamisos River and five associated rivers at the head of the Gulf of Messenia in the southwestern Peloponnese includes middle through upper Holocene sedimentary-environment lithosomes of alluvial flood-plain deposits, channel sand, braided streams and deltas, bank swamps and marshes, dune fields, minor lagoons, beach-accretion ridges, and shallow-marine sediment. The areal distribution of these environments is in balance between the sediment supplied by the alluvial systems and their modification by coastal wave action. Questions remain about the importance of tectonic uplift and downwarp relative to sediment input and changes in eustatic sea level. Radiocarbon and pottery dates, drill cores, outcrops, and environmental studies have provided information for the development of a synthesis of paleogeographic change and its relationship to archaeological remains from the Neolithic period (middle Holocene) to the present. Examples include (1) a marine embayment extended into the area of the present Pamisos River flood plain near the town of Messini in middle late Holocene (Neolithic-Helladic) time, (2) rounded hills flanking the low-lying Karya River coastal plain were wave-cut cliffs in pre-Roman time, (3) the lower Karya River valley, now occupied by a braided stream, was a swampy lagoonal area, (4) major Early Helladic buildings at Akovitika were constructed along a shoreline, whereas the site is now surrounded by backswamp, and (5) the post-Roman delta–coastal plain of the Tsana River is now undergoing intense erosion. These types of paleogeographic analyses may prove of use to archaeologists in understanding the reasons for selection of habitation sites. They may also assist the modern occupants of the coastal area in coastal planning and in understanding rates and nature of coastal change at the head of the Messenian embayment. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.