Relative Sea-Level Change During the Late Holocene on the Island of Vis (Croatia) – Issa Harbour Archaeological Site

Abstract

The 2.4 ka shoreline evolution on the Island of Vis has been investigated. It represents a particularly interesting area for this kind of investigation due to the existence of the submerged archaeological remains, the antique port of Issa, as well as to the existence of geomorphological and biological sea-level markers. The actual depths of the different parts of the submerged quay have been mapped and measured with respect to the present mean sea-level, applying corrections for tide and atmospheric pressure values at the time of the surveys. The functional heights related to the sea level at the time of construction have also been taken into account. These data were further compared with predictions derived from a glacio-hydro-isostatic model associated with the Last Glacial cycle. During the investigation of the coast, tidal notches and algal rims were found. They were mapped, measured and correlated with results of the submerged port remains, as well as with other available data along the Croatian coast. Our results demonstrate a 199±25 cm sea-level change during 2.4 ka on the Island of Vis. Taking into account the total relative sea-level change, an average rate of around ~0.83 mm/yr is derived. If the isostatic-eustatic component is separated, a tectonic subsidence rate ranges between 0.17 and 0.3 mm/yr depending on the predicted model used. Compared to the Northern Adriatic area, the Island of Vis shows a much smaller component of tectonic subsidence.

Archaeological and Geophysical Investigation of Submerged Coastal Structures in Kekova, Southern Coast of Turkey

“…The elevation of harbor constructions relative to sea level at the time of their operation varies with local environmental factors. Faivre, Bakran‐Petricioli, and Horvatincic () define original elevation for a quay as 0.4 m above MSL due to the small tide amplitude in the protected harbor of Issa, whereas Stanley and Bernasconi () have suggested a functional height of 1 m for a quay located in an area with breakwater. The original level varied depending on whether the structures served as shelter from wave activity.…”

New Data on Marine Radiocarbon Reservoir Effect in the Eastern Adriatic Based on Pre-Bomb Marine Organisms from the Intertidal Zone and Shallow Sea

“…To obtain greater precision and better accuracy of sea-level curves, the latest research along the eastern Adriatic has been focused on Lithophyllum byssoides algal rims as sea-level markers (Faivre et al 2010(Faivre et al , 2013. Such fossil bioconstructions have proven to be precise sea-level indicators in microtidal environments (Laborel et al 1994;Morhange 1994).…”

Underwater Cultural Heritage and Maritime Archaeology in Croatia: An Overview

“…During underwater rescue excavations in Vranjic in 2005 and 2006, a 4.5 m high profile was exposed below sea level, preserving stratigraphy from the Bronze age to the Late Middle ages (RadićRossi, 2008a, 2008b. Such sites have stimulated the studyamong both Croatian and foreign scholarsof sea level changes and reconstructions of paleolandscapes (Fouache et al, 2006;Antonioli et al, 2007;Faivre, Bakran-Petricioli & Horvatincǐc, 2010;Faivre et al, 2011).…”