A set Archaic anchor arm exposed within P. oceanica matte at Klazomenai/Liman Tepe, Turkey: A contribution for understanding marine stratigraphy

Abstract

Excavation in Posidonia oceanica matte in the ancient harbor of Klazomenai/Liman Tepe, on the Aegean coast of Turkey, demonstrates the stratigraphic archaeological potential of underwater excavation. Among the finds is a fractured wooden anchor arm exposed in situ. The anchor arm dates to approximately 600 b.c. based on stratigraphically associated ceramics, a dating supported by radiocarbon. The arm was found embedded in this marine sediment, which preserved the arm in its set position within the ancient sea floor. This archaeological excavation through matte and silt harbor sediments overturns the misconception that stratigraphic excavation is impossible in a marine environment. The excavation further boosts optimism regarding the preservation of maritime heritage along the littoral of the eastern Aegean and the many other Mediterranean regions where Posidonia oceanica grows.

• marine excavation
• Posidonia oceanica matte
• Archaic Period harbor
• anchor
• Klazomenai/Liman Tepe

Acknowledgments

The authors express their great appreciation to the dozens of diving volunteers and to those who financed the project: The Hatter Foundation, the Frankel Foundation, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the University of Haifa. Amir Yurman and Stephen Breitstein of the Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies (RIMS) at the University of Haifa were the dive masters, and Yossi Salmon produced the bathymetric map. Members of the Israeli and Turkish teams used common equipment. At first, RIMS shipped their equipment from Haifa, but later, the teams used that of the subsequently established Ankara University Research Center for Maritime Archaeology (ANKÜSAM). The excavation was directed by Michal Artzy and Hayat Erkanal, with the active participation of Avner Raban in the first seasons.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gregory F. Votruba

Gregory Votruba (Ph.D. 2015, University of Oxford) was the area supervisor of Area A3. His main research interests include coastal architecture, landscapes of maritime cultures, and humankind's interaction with the sea in pre-industrial periods. His doctoral thesis examined anchoring and mooring techniques and technology in the ancient Mediterranean.

Michal Artzy

Michal Artzy (Ph.D. 1972, Brandeis University) is presently the head of the Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies at the University of Haifa. She co-directed the joint underwater excavations at Liman Tepe. She has directed the excavations at Tel Nami and the salvage excavation of the Late Bronze anchorage at Tell Abu Hawam. She presently co-directs the ‘Total Archaeology’ project at Tel Akko, concentrating on the formation of the ancient coastal site and the habitation patterns. She has published widely regarding Eastern Mediterranean Bronze Age routes, trade, coastal archaeology and boat iconography.

Hayat Erkanal

Hayat Erkanal (Ph.D. 1973, Frei University- Berlin) is the director of the excavations at Liman Tepe. He is emeritus professor of the Ankara University, Department of Archaeology–Protohistory and Near Eastern Archaeology. He is currently affiliated with Ankara University Mustafa V. Koç Research Center for Maritime Archaeology. He previously directed excavations of Girnavaz (Mardin) and Bakla Tepe (scientific director) in İzmir. He has published on the archaeology of Mesopotamia, Anatolia and the Aegean extensively with a special emphasis on ancient metallurgy, economy and architecture.