An extensive rescue excavation has been conducted in the ancient harbor of İstanbul (Yenikapı) by the Sea of Marmara, revealing a depositional sequence displaying clear evidence of transgression and coastal progradation during the Holocene. The basal layer of this sequence lies at 6 m below the present sea level and contains remains of a Neolithic settlement known to have been present in the area, indicating that the sea level at ~ 8–9 cal ka BP was lower than 6 m below present. Sea level advanced to its maximum at ~ 6.8–7 cal ka BP, drowning Lykos Stream and forming an inlet at its mouth. After ~ 3 cal ka BP, coastal progradation became evident. Subsequent construction of the Byzantine Harbor (Theodosius; 4th century AD) created a restricted small basin and accumulation of fine-grained sediments. The sedimentation rate was increased due to coastal progradation and anthropogenic factors during the deposition of coarse-grained sediments at the upper parts of the sequence (7th–9th centuries AD). The harbor was probably abandoned after the 11th century AD by filling up with Lykos Stream detritus and continued seaward migration of the coastline.

The sedimentary sequence discovered at archaeological excavations in ancient Theodosius Harbour at İstanbul contains the records of sea level, environmental changes and the cultural history of the region. The cobbles at the base of the sequence include archaeological remnants of Neolithic culture that settled in the area between 8.4 and 7.3 14C ka BP, and are located at 6 m below the present sea level. The sediments representing a coastal environment indicate that the area was used as a harbour from AD 4th to at least the 11th century and were filled by the sediments derived from Lykos Stream after 11th century.

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A new record in eastern Aegean Sea (Turkey): Polymorphina fistulosa engi ‹n meri ‹c ‚ 1 , mehmet baki ‹ yokes 2 , niyazi ‹ avs ‚ar 3 , elmas kirci-elmas 4 and feyza di ‹ncer 5 1 Moda Hüseyin Bey Sk., No: 15/4 34710 Kadıköy, Numerous Indo-Pacific originated alien foraminifer species have been recorded in the eastern Mediterranean. Each year new species are being added. In the framework of a foraminiferal study conducted on the east Aegean coast the benthic foraminifer Polymorphina fistulosa is found in the foraminiferal assemblage around a hot water submarine spring in Ilıca Bay (Ç esme, Turkey). It is also observed in one sediment sample collected from the western entrance of the Dardanelles (Ç anakkale, Turkey). These records constitute the first record of this Pacific originated species in the Aegean Sea.