The development of tools and techniques used in paleoenvironmental studies is important for the advancement of geoarchaeological research. Geoarchaeological studies of ancient harbours involve the integration of paleoenvironmental data with archaeological findings, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of site development and regional maritime trade. This dissertation highlights and/or explores novel applications of microfossils and micro-X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) core scanning data in paleoenvironmental reconstructions within three ancient harbour studies.
Foraminifera, diatom, pollen, μXRF, carbon stable isotope, and radiocarbon dating results from underwater cave sediments on the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula indicate that the region’s wetlands developed between 1157 BCE and 312 CE. Continued sea-level rise after ~312 CE allowed canoe access through a channel from the Caribbean Sea to Muyil, a Classic Maya maritime port site. Development of the wetlands may have implications for increased maritime trade on the Yucatán’s eastern coast during the Postclassic (925–1550 CE). This study demonstrates the importance of karst cave systems for obtaining paleoenvironmental records and provides a first assessment of the diatom community that has been transported into the sampled cave system.
The novel application of epiphytic foraminifera as biostratigraphic indicators was investigated at Caesarea, Israel. Benthic foraminifera assemblages indicated that the emplacement of hard harbour structures along the sandy coast between 21–10 BCE altered the environmental conditions and impacted the nearby ecological communities. Epiphytic foraminifera, in particular Pararotalia calcariformata, were found to be useful indicators for the timing of harbour construction at Caesarea. μXRF and magnetic susceptibility results also supported the presence of increased harbour material (i.e., kurkar and volcanic ash) in offshore sediments over time. This study demonstrates that epiphytic foraminifera can be cost-effective biostratigraphic indicators in geoarchaeological studies. Results also confirm that P. calcariformata is endemic to Israel and is not a recent arrival following the opening of the Suez Canal.
Foraminifera, testate amoebae, μXRF, and radiocarbon dating results from sediment cores collected from two lagoons, Khor Al Balid and Khor Rori, on the southern coast of Oman indicate that the lagoons closed off from the sea between the 12th and 15th centuries CE. Prior to lagoon formation, these two sites formed natural harbours that were the locations of major maritime trade ports. Progressive siltation and sand accumulation along the coastline after the 15th century likely impacted shipping activities, contributing to abandonment of the city near Khor Al Balid. Evidence of a marine overwash event across most cores from both sites dating to the 18th–19th century CE suggests that an extreme wave event (e.g., tsunami or large tropical cyclone) may have also contributed to the decline of the city. The results of this study provide an important paleoenvironmental context for previous archaeological findings. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/29161 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Steele, Riley Elaine |
| Contributors | Reinhardt, Eduard, Earth and Environmental Sciences |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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