The Holocene fluvial history of the Tremithos river (south central Cyprus) and its linkage to archaeological records

Abstract

This study aims to reconstruct the Holocene fluvial history of the Tremithos river, south central Cyprus and examine linkages to regional and local archaeological records. Three stratigraphic profiles (Sp1, Sp2 and Sp3) located in the lower valley have been investigated using sedimentology and magnetic parameters. The 14 C dating of 10 samples reveals mid-Holocene ages for Sp1 and Sp2, while the upper most part of Sp3 can be attributed to the early to mid-Holocene. Two main phases of vertical accretion have been recognised: the first, recorded in the lower most part of Sp3, could not be dated but might relate to the late Glacial period. It is not associated with any archaeological artefacts. The second, recorded in all profiles, dating from ca. 5000 to ca. cal 2800 BC, spans the Late Neolithic Sotira (cal 4800/4000 BC) and Late Chalcolithic (cal 2900-2500 BC) cultures. The sediments of Sp1 and Sp2 are up to 8-10 m thick and mainly composed of fine material. However, an intercalated phase of coarse sediment has been identified at the beginning of the third millennium BC, indicating a sudden change in river dynamics, potentially associated with the 5.2 ka rapid climate change regional event. Typical mid-Chalcolithic (ca. cal 3300-3050 BC) ceramics found in a palaeosol in Sp2 indicate for the first time human occupation of the Tremithos river terraces. Two other palaeosols have also been recognised in Sp3 and radiocarbon dated to ca. cal 5600-4100 BC and ca. cal 2900-2600 BC, respectively. These results make it possible to propose a palaeogeographic reconstruction of the Holocene evolution in the Tremithos valley and to make a preliminary assessment of the relative roles of tectonics, climate and anthropogenic forcing.

Climate Change and Social Unrest: A 6,000‐Year Chronicle From the Eastern Mediterranean

“…In situ bioarcheological studies from Pyla‐ Kokkinokremnos (~15 km from Hala Sultan Tekke, Cyprus) and Tell Tweini (~220 km to the northwest) support this correlation as similar dry environments were recorded during the LBA collapse (Kaniewski et al, 2019b). On Cyprus, populations were able to overcome summer drought by pumping freshwater from the aquifers of the Tremithos River (Ploethner et al, 1986; Ghilardi et al, 2011) as the lake only fills during winter time, fed by precipitation. At Tell Tweini, the inhabitants did the same by using freshwater from the Rumailiah River and the southern springs that surrounded the tell (Kaniewski et al, 2010).…”

Early impact of agropastoral activities and climate on the littoral landscape of Corsica since mid-Holocene

“…Most of actual references are largely limited to the Eastern Mediterranean where major civilizations arose (Minoan, Mycenian and Greeks). Cyprus [22–27], Euboea [28–32], and the north coast of Greece [20, 33] represent the most studied regions. Concerning the central Mediterranean island, several studies restitute the evolution of Sicilian lakes levels during the late Holocene [34–38].…”

Reconstructing the Fluvial History of the Lilas River (Euboea Island, Central West Aegean Sea) from the Mycenaean Times to the Ottoman Period

“…Magnetic susceptibility of unconsolidated material is also applied to determine sediment sources within catchments presenting contrasting lithologies in terms of magnetic particles content [80], as has been demonstrated in small (<1000 km 2 ) Mediterranean drainage basins [81,82]. In the case of the Lilas river, the upper reaches cut metamorphic rocks to the north (Mt.…”