Dissertation committee:
Λειβαδίτης Γεώργιος Ομότιμος Καθηγητής, Μαριολάκος Ηλίας Ομότιμος Καθηγητής, Βαλαβάνης Πάνος Καθηγητής Τμήματος Αρχαιολογίας
Summary:
The object of the present thesis is the geoarchaeological study of the NE part
of the Peloponnese, specifically the zone between the villages of Velo and
Assos. The study area is bounded in the mainland by the mountainous ranges of
Farmaka, Xerovouni, Megalovouni, Trikorfo and Psili Rachi, which are the
natural borders with the prefecture of Argolida.
This area belongs to the wider area of the Corinthian basin, which, in turn, is
an area of characteristic geology and geomorphology. We try to study the soil
erosion and deposit mechanisms, in relation to the tectonic and
geomorphological status and characteristics of the wider basin. An attempt is
made to represent - as faithfully as possible - the human settlement
development of the study area, from the Stone Age up to the Roman Era. Our goal
was to arrive to conclusions on the evolution and the changes of the terrain in
the near geological past (upper Holocene).
The geomorphological and tectonic analysis of the area and the development and
evolution of settlements therein (based on archaeological studies) gave us
clues on the form of the terrain over time. The main factors affecting the form
of the terrain (intense tectonic activity and retrogressive erosion) were not
adequate reasons - in our case - to effect immediate abandonment of the area
(since they are fairly slow processes – in the human timescale). Their effect,
however, is evident over time, in the form of gradual abandonment of sites,
movement of settlements or the creation of new settlements.
Keywords:
Archaeogeomorphology, NE Peloponnesus - Nemea, Retrogressive erosion, Human settlements, Pleistocene - Holocene
