As the human species evolved, first the archipelagos, then the seas, and finally the oceans evolved from barriers into pathways connecting civilizations. As early as the Early Paleolithic period, humans settled in and initially “conquered” the coastal zone, and then explored the sea. The coastal zone, with its direct access to marine resources, mild climate, rich biodiversity, navigability, and ease of trade, has attracted—from the Paleolithic era to the present day— and consequently preserves memories of the evolution of civilizations. Since coastlines are the result of the ceaseless struggle between the sea and the land, they are highly dynamic environments. These changes may be short-term or long-term in nature and may result from factors on a global or local scale. An excellent example of such changes is the gradual subsidence of ancient and historical coastal landscapes, over the past 20,000 years, as a result of climate warming, glacial melting, and the gradual rise in sea level, following the end of the last glacial period. These underwater sites now constitute geoarchaeological records of great importance for understanding the evolution of coastal paleogeography as well as the interaction between humans and the environment.
As early as the Neanderthal era, seafaring had developed and small-scale migrations had taken place, while over the following tens of millennia, sea routes became more frequent, becoming “maritime bridges” that connected civilizations and transported goods. Many sea voyages never reached their destination and ended in shipwrecks that now rest on the ocean floor, from shallow waters to the abyssal depths. Shipwrecks are exceptional “time capsules,” and studying them helps reconstruct a significant part of the ancient world.
The rapid advancement of marine technology in recent decades has led to the development of sophisticated sonar systems, underwater vehicles, and even autonomous surface and submersible vehicles. Research now identifies and locates both stationary (settlements, harbors) and mobile (shipwrecks) evidence of human activity on the seafloor, bringing to light a rich underwater cultural heritage. In fact, it is tending to give rise to a new field of study, which could be described as “Marine Geoarchaeology.”
Presenter: Georgios Papatheodorou, Professor, Department of Geology, University of Patras
This presentation will highlight marine geoarchaeological research conducted by the Laboratory of Marine Geology & Physical Oceanography (Oceanus-Lab) of the Department of Geology at the University of Patras in the Greek archipelagos as well as in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
