![]() ![]() Special reference is given to the geomorphological (physical and environmental) and archaeological (human and cultural) aspects of central and eastern Mediterranean coasts which have changed significantly and repeatedly during at least the last few glacial cycles. This article reviews and discusses key data, literature, debates and discussions focussed on relative sea-level change since the Last Interglacial (approximately last ~132,000 years) in the Mediterranean Basin. ![]() AD is additionally confirmed by a submerged tidal notch at a depth of –1.70 m and dated by shells of Cerastoderma. The tsunami that covered the northern part of the Hellenistic Agora of Naxos in the 2nd c. Archaeological data in Grotta and Aplomata (Naxos), give evidence of at least two seismic events, coinciding with the profiles of two submerged tidal notches found at a depth of –3 m and –2.5 m respectively. ![]() The submerged antiquities of Paros include cemeteries of various time periods and harbour installations, while the Baccini antiquities in Naxos include quarries and coastal settlements. Submerged beachrocks and tidal notches bear witness to the extent and depth of ancient shores. Last but not least, archaeological remains, emerged or submerged, may also be used to quantify relative sea level changes however, their reliability varies depending on the functionality of the structure.In this framework, the aim of this paper is the study of sea level changes in the Central Aegean Sea (Paros and Naxos islands) through the use of various sea level indicators. Biological markers may also provide useful information provided that their relationship to mean sea level is clearly defined. Amongst geomorphological indicators, tidal notches stand out as they can indicate former sea-level positions, with up to a decimeter confidence, while their shape may also provide qualitative information on the rate of sea-level change and on tectonic movements. geomorphological, biological, archaeological, their reliability varies depending on their relationship to sea level. Although various sea level markers exist, e.g. In this context, detailed mapping of palaeo sea-level markers may be used to evaluate coastal tectonic movements and the relative sea level changes in a particular region. Oxygen isotope data and geophysical models are often used to assess the first two factors, while the third factor can be assessed by field data. Sea level changes are the combined effect of eustatic, glacio-isostatic and tectonic factors. Moreover, the sea level stands deduced from Paros in comparison with those from the northern Cyclades indicate a uniform tectonic behaviour of the entire northern and central section of the Cyclades plateau. The separation between glacio-hydro-isostatic signals and the observed rsl change on Paros Island, in an area of seismic quiescence, demonstrates a significant tectonic component in the rsl changes. The youngest sea level stand at 0.45 ± 0.10 m bmsl is attributed to the recent change in the sea level after the late 19th c. The sea level at 0.80 ± 0.10 m bmsl is dated to after the Venetian period, during the Ottoman rule of the island (1537-1821). The sea level at 2.40 ± 0.25 m bmsl is dated to the Roman period (146-400 AD) and the next sea level at 1.35 ± 0.20 m bmsl to the Venetian period of the Cyclades (1207-1537). ![]() The next sea level at 3.50 ± 0.20 m bmsl is dated to the Geometric and Archaic period of the Cyclades (1050 BC-490 BC) and most probably lasted during the Hellenistic period (323-146 BC). The Late Holocene history of the rsl change in Paros began with the sea level at 4.90 ± 0.10 m below mean sea level (bmsl) dated to the Late Neolithic period (4300 BC-3700 BC). Geomorphological and archaeological indicators of former sea levels along the coast of Paros enabled us to determine and date six distinct sea level stands and the relative sea level (rsl) changes between them, as well as plot the rsl curve for the last 6,300 years. ![]()
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