Geoarchaeological indicators of sea level change during the Roman period in Graias Gony submerged Roman harbour site between Ras Hawala and Ras Alam El-Rum areas, NW coast of Egypt Using the diagram PADM

Keywords:

Geoarchaeology, Palaeoenvironmental, Palaeo-Sediments, Landslide and Tectonic Movments,  Roman Anchor, Greek harbour, Holocene Sea level change, Ras Hawala, Ras Alam El-Rum, Palaeo- tsunami, Graias Gony harbour, Egypt.

 

Abstract:

Graias Gony is submerged harbour in Ras  Alam El-Rom area as a part of the NW coast of Egypt. Some geoarchaeological remains were discovered by Underwater Archaeology 20- 23^rd October survey in the eastern side of Ras Alam El-Rum coastline on the NW coast of Egypt, East of  Matruh city with extension about 16.9 km, SW Ras Alam El-Rom, in the same location of the above submerged harbours were described by another early writers.

The geomorphological characteristics were studied for all locations but the coastline were changed from the Roman period up to recent time by coastal erosion  and other geomorphic processes  in addition to the Holocene sea level change.

It was mentioned by Claude Ptolmee, who named it the Geographer Ptolemios, in his book in the year 150 AD in a list of ports in the Mediterranean Sea (Abd El Maguid. 2001). This port is one of the largest ports located on NW coast of Egypt and was recently named Rumaila harbour in reference to the type of coastal rock deposits spread in it along with The sandy sediments diminished greatly, which prompted the Bedouins to give it this name. The researcher found clear evidence showing sea level changes in this harbour, the most important of which are Notches and submerged platforms. I studied the geomorphological characteristics for their location, noting that coastal erosion, other geomorphic processes, and the Holocene Sea level change have altered the coastline from the Greek and Roman periods to the present. Alternating Quaternary limestone, part of an eroded carbonate coastal ridge, occupies the study area. We observed geomorphic coastal landforms along the shore, such as multi-level marine notches, platforms, and caves. These features were created at the Holocene relative sea level. We also observed solution microlandforms such as holes, channels, pits, and residual pinnacles. Sea water sculpted these features on carbonate rocks.