A recent study published in the Journal of Quaternary Science has revealed the causes behind the abandonment of the ancient harbours of Elaiussa Sebaste, a coastal city that was once one of the most prosperous trading centers in the eastern Mediterranean. The study, conducted by an interdisciplinary team led by Romana Melis, employed advanced geoarchaeological and paleoenvironmental analysis methods to reconstruct the history of these harbours, showing how natural factors and intense human activity interacted in their rise and eventual decline.
Located on the southeastern coast of Turkey near the modern town of Ayaş, Elaiussa Sebaste was founded during the Hellenistic period (2nd century BCE) and reached its peak in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE. This city was strategically positioned on a peninsula with two natural bays, making it a key point for trade and the distribution of resources such as timber, olives, and wine throughout the Mediterranean. During the Roman period, Elaiussa Sebaste flourished, largely thanks to port infrastructure that facilitated maritime trade. However, by the 7th century CE, the city was abandoned, and its ports were buried under layers of sediment.
The research team set out to understand how these ports evolved from their peak to their eventual disuse, conducting geophysical surveys and excavations at the site of the ancient ports. With six sediment samples obtained through coring and electrical tomography studies, the researchers mapped the subsurface of both ports, detailing sediment deposits and the geological remains that make up the area. Additionally, marine organisms, plant remains, and ceramic fragments found in the sediment were analyzed, helping to recreate the environment and human activities at the site.
One of the study’s most revealing findings was the confirmation that the harbours were subject to variable environmental conditions, particularly concerning marine sedimentation and the influence of both saline and fresh waters in the bays. Through microfossil analysis, the researchers identified species of foraminifera and ostracods that inhabited the region, indicating that the ports experienced periods of varying salinity, likely associated with changes in currents and the influx of water from nearby rivers. Sediment accumulation was another key factor, with deposits ranging from sands to silts, evidencing periods of intense hydraulic activity at the ports.
Radiocarbon dating of these sediments indicates that the oldest deposits date back to the 8th century BCE, while the most recent correspond to the 6th century CE, coinciding with the city’s periods of occupation and development. These findings suggest that the city was continuously expanded and adapted to maintain its commercial relevance and accommodate vessels in its harbours.
Another important aspect is the analysis of human and material remains found, including ceramic fragments and charcoal. Archaeologists concluded that the presence of these materials might be linked to the intensive use of the ports during Elaiussa’s peak, when large quantities of goods, from wine to construction materials, circulated through the city.
The high concentration of lead detected in the sediments of one of the ports confirms that human activity left a significant mark on the environment, suggesting that the port may have been used for industrial or mining activities that contributed to its eventual deterioration.
The research also suggests that sediment accumulation in the harbours could have been partially mitigated by dredging performed by the Romans, who likely attempted to maintain port operability during periods of peak commercial activity. This practice, documented in other Mediterranean ports, might have helped Elaiussa Sebaste remain relevant even during times of adverse environmental conditions.
However, the decline of the ports cannot be attributed solely to sedimentation and human activity. Geological data reveal that the region has experienced tectonic activity and earthquakes, which may have altered sea levels and dramatically modified the coastal landscape. Combined with invasions and conflicts affecting the region in the 7th century CE, these environmental changes likely forced the abandonment of the city and the cessation of port activity.
SOURCES
Melis, R., Borgia, E., Agostini, S., Celant, A., Di Rita, F., Forte, E., Salvi, G. and Colizza, E. (2024), Palaeoenvironmental evolution and decline of the harbours of the Roman and Early Byzantine city of Elaiussa Sebaste (southeastern Turkey): natural and anthropic causes. J. Quaternary Sci. doi.org/10.1002/jqs.3661
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