Landscape and Land Use in Postglacial Greece - (1. Holocene Alluvial History of Northern Pieria Macedonia Greece)

1
Holocene Alluvial History of Northern Pieria,

Macedonia, Greece
Aihanasia Krahtopoulou
Introduction Pierian hills and discharge into the Thermaic

Gulf, were selected for detailed investigation
During the last two decades, archaeological of late Quaternary alluvial history (Fig. 1.1).
studies in Northern Pieria (Fig. 1.1) have indi- The streams drain an area of 60 km2 and 18
cated that the landscape has changed dramat- km2, respectively, and are underlain by highly
ically over time and that geomorphic agents erodible, unconsolidated Upper Miocene-
of soil erosion and valley alluviation have Lower Pliocene sands, sandy loams, loamy
seriously affected the preservation and visibil- sands and clays (IGME 1986). Surface finds
ity of the archaeological record in the area (for from non-systematic, extensive archaeological
an overview of the history of archaeological field reconnaissance and preliminary reports
research in Northern Pieria, see Besios and from small-scale rescue excavations indicate a
Pappa 1995). A detailed geoarchaeological human presence in the Gerakaris and Agios
study was undertaken, therefore, in order to Dimitrios catchments from, at least, the Late
investigate the co-evolution of landscape and Neolithic onwards (5400/5300-4700/4500 BC)
human settlement in the area and to assess the (Besios 1993; Besios and Pappa 1995; Gram-
potential of the surface and sub-surface menos et al 1997; Pappa 1999).
archaeological records (Krahtopoulou 2001). Field observations in the lower reaches of
Copyright © 2000. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. All rights reserved.
A recent critique of geoarchaeological research these streams, immediately above the present
in Greece has exposed the need for fine tem- coastal plain, revealed a series of alluvial
poral and spatial resolution as the basis both deposits and intercalated palaeosols, contain-
for reconstructing landscape change and for ing in many cases in situ preserved archaeo-
evaluating alternative agents of change logical sites and structures. Selection of
(Endfield 1997). For this reason, the present research localities was determined by access
case study focuses on the intensive investiga- to property and/or presence of suitable natur-
tion of a relatively small area. al and artificial exposures. In the Agios
Dimitrios valley, lack of adequate exposures
was compensated by mechanical excavation.
Research Design and Methodology In all, 17 vertical sections were cut back,
cleaned, examined and described, while 220
Two small-order streams, the Gerakaris and soil and sediment samples were collected and
the Agios Dimitrios, which originate in the analysed for mean particle size, loss-on-igni-
Landscape and Land Use in Postglacial Greece, edited by Paul Halstead, and Charles Frederick, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2000. ProQuest Ebook
Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/rug/detail.action?docID=472757.
Created from rug on 2021-10-21 20:07:55.
Figure 1.1 Location of the study area.
Landscape and Land Use in Postglacial Greece, edited by Paul Halstead, and Charles Frederick, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2000. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/rug/detail.action?docID=472757.
Holocene Alluvial History of Northern Pieria, Macedonia, Greece 17
tion, calcium carbonate content and magnetic under the flat, featureless surface of the allu-
susceptibility. vial plain.
Temporal control for the Gerakaris and
Agios Dimitrios sequences is provided by C14
(AMS) dating of 17 charcoal and soil samples, The Nea Trapezous Alloformation
collected from buried A soil horizons. In situ
buried archaeological sites and structures The four units belonging to the Nea Trapezous
associated with specific palaeosols offer addi- alloformation are designated NT1 to NT4 in
tional chronological information and in many order of decreasing age. Generally, these are
cases refinement of the chronology estab- rarely exposed in the lower reaches of the
lished by C14 dating. stream and the sequence remains poorly
dated. Two C14 dates, archaeological inclu-
sions, stratigraphic position and degree of
The Gerakaris Alluvial Sequence pedogenic development place deposition of
the Nea Trapezous alloformation in the late
Field observations, as well as absolute (see Pleistocene between 38.8 ka bp and, perhaps,
Table 1.1) and relative dating of the deposits 10.0 ka bp (Krahtopoulou 2001).
identified in the Gerakaris valley, resulted in
identification of four late Pleistocene and
eight Holocene alluvial units, separated by The Kato Agios Giannis Alloformation
palaeosols. Two informal alloformations have
been recognized. The late Pleistocene alluvial Some time after the deposition of unit NT4,
fills are named the Nea Trapezous alloformation but before 8.5 ka bp, the Gerakaris incised and
and the Holocene deposits the Kato Agios cut a new valley, which was subsequently
Giannis alloformation, which are abbreviated as filled in with 8.5 m of alluvial deposits of
NT and KAG respectively. This paper focuses Holocene age. The Holocene sequence (the
primarily on the Holocene alluvial record. Kato Agios Giannis alloformation) is well dated
Four geomorphic surfaces (TO, Tl, T2 and by absolute (C14) (Table 1.1) and relative (in
T3) were recognized in the lower reach of the situ buried archaeology and historical infor-
Gerakaris (Fig. 1.2). The usually narrow mod- mation) means and eight discrete alluvial
ern floodplain (TO) lies at an elevation of 2 m units are presently recognized: KAG1 to
above the stream bed. It is inset into the first KAG8 from oldest to youngest. The lower
terrace (Tl), a relatively narrow, gently slop- boundary of the oldest alluvial fill presently
ing surface, which rises to an elevation of recognized in the Gerakaris valley (KAG1) is
4.50-5.50 m above the channel. The second nowhere exposed and it is possible that more,
terrace (T2) is a wide, flat surface, which dom- as yet undetected, early Holocene alluvial
inates the Gerakaris valley and lies at an ele- units are buried in the valley axis.
vation of 9 m above the active channel. The Deposition of KAG1 predates 8,470±75 bp
highest terrace (T3), which has been identified (7600-7351 BC) and seems to be confined with-
only near the Gerakaris valley walls, is slop- in the newly cut valley floor of the Gerakaris.
ing and lies 16-19 m above the present river After a period of landscape stability and
bed. As the stream enters the alluvial plain of pedogenesis, the second fill (KAG2) was
Katerini and flows eastwards towards the deposited across the Holocene valley, some
coast, these geomorphic surfaces 'disappear' time before 5,360±60 bp (4339-3999 BC; Final
Table 1.1 List of radiocarbon dates from the Gerakaris stream.
Lab. no. Depth Material Stratigraphic 813C 513C Calibrated age Archaeological phase
(cm) dated unit corrected age AD/BC
AA31853 135 Charcoal NT1? -24.3 38,800±1100 Not calibrated Palaeolithic

AA31852 250 Charcoal NT2? -24.3 24,930±240 Not calibrated Palaeolithic
AA32856 860 Soil KAG1 -11.9 8,470±75 7600-7351 BC Mesolithic
AA32859 445 Soil KAG2 -21.0 6,900±65 5966-5643 BC Early-Middle Neolithic
AA32855 745 Charcoal KAG2 -25.7 5,360±60 4339-3999 BC Final Neolithic
AA31861 510 Charcoal KAG3 -23.3 5,H5±60 4039-3775 BC Final Neolithic
AA32858 365 Charcoal KAG3 -21.7 3,765±85 2464-1940 BC Early-Middle Bronze Age
AA32854 324 Soil KAG4 -24.7 2,715±50 973-799 BC Early Iron Age
AA32857 215 Soil KAG4 -22.1 1,610±50 264-566 AD Roman-Early Christian
AA34066 210 Soil KAG5 Post-1950 Rejected
AA31860 120 Charcoal KAG6 -24.3 580±70 1284-1443 AD Late Byzantine
AA31859 82 Charcoal KAG7 -29.0 420±45 1418-1627 AD Late Byzantine-Post Byzantine
Figure 1.2 Schematic cross-section of the Gerakaris stream, depicting stratigraphic relationships and chronological data.
Neolithic). According to a radiocarbon date on (1418-1627 AD) when the landscape was stable
the middle part of a cumulic soil preserved once again. The last unit, KAG8, was formed
near the valley walls, aggradation was in some time between 420±45 bp (1418-1627 AD)
progress by 6,900±65 bp (5966-5643 BC; and the late eighteenth century AD, when the
Early-Middle Neolithic). Unlike the two old- Gerakaris aggraded again, migrated laterally
est members of the Kato Agios Giannis allofor- to the north-east and its present position, and
mation, which are poorly exposed due to deep then incised, abandoning the T2 surface and
burial under the modern channel, KAG3 is forming a new terrace (Tl). Deposits below Tl
observed valley-wide. Aggradation of the unit and TO have not been examined in detail.
is closely bracketed between 5,360±60 bp Architecturally, the Kato Agios Giannis allo-
(4339-3999 BC; Final Neolithic) and 5,115±60 formation represents a sequence of alluvial
bp (4039-3775 BC; Final Neolithic) and is fol- deposits, that accumulated mainly by vertical
lowed by at least 1350 years of landscape sta- accretion during valley-wide flooding events.
bility, sub-aerial exposure and pedogenesis. A single stream incision event occurred fairly
During that period, the Gerakaris floodplain recently, between the fifteenth-seventeenth
was inhabited, as indicated by an Early and the late eighteenth century AD. Differ-
Bronze Age site, identified during fieldwork ences in depositional environment between
near the valley axis. The stream aggraded different units indicate that the Gerakaris was
again sometime after 3,765±85 bp (2464-1940 moving across its floodplain throughout the
BC; Early-Middle Bronze Age) and KAG4 allu- Holocene. All members of the Kato Agios
vium covered the valley floor. By 2715±50 bp Giannis alloformation are relatively fine-
(973-799 BC; Early Iron Age), however, and for grained and they range in mean particle size
at least 1100 years, according to interbedded from loamy sands to silts, reflecting their
archaeological features across the lower reach- source (the Upper Miocene-Lower Pliocene
es of the stream, the landscape was stable formations). The discrete sedimentary pack-
again. Sedimentation resumed soon after ages are separated by very weakly to moder-
1,610±50 bp (264-566 AD; Roman-Early ately well developed Inceptisols (KAG1,
Christian period) and possibly around the KAG2, KAG3, KAG4, KAG5 and KAG6
third or fourth century AD. Deposition of unit palaeosols) and Entisols (KAG7 and KAG8
KAG5 was accompanied by lateral migration soils) (Birkeland 1999), that show no evidence
of the stream to the north-east, closer to the of erosion during sub-aerial exposure and
valley walls. As a result, the low Pierian hills, weathering. The degree of pedogenic devel-
west of the modern village of Korinos, started opment in the Holocene sequence mainly
to be covered with fluvial deposits. The last reflects the time available for pedogenesis
three units (KAG6, 7 and 8) were deposited in before renewed sedimentation. Overall, older
an episodic fashion during the last 1300 years. soils appear to be more pedogenically
According to archaeological inclusions in the advanced than younger soils. There are inter-
KAG5 soil and a radiocarbon date on the soil nal differences in sedimentary character and
formed within KAG6, this unit was deposited pedogenic expression and maturity between
between the sixth-seventh century AD and temporally similar deposits and palaeosols in
580±70 bp (1284-1443 AD), and was followed different parts of the alluvial system.
by a period of stability Deposition of the next Palaeosols formed in a floodplain environ-
younger unit, KAG7, began after 580±70 bp ment are slightly more developed than con-
(1284-1443 AD) but ended by 420±45 bp temporary channel proximal soils. Some of
20 Aihanasia Krahtopoulou
the lower soils in the sequence (KAG1, KAG2 Dimitrios incised and abandoned the late
and KAG3 soils) are mildly gleyed and/or Pleistocene surface (T2) and formed the new
exhibit manganese stains, indicating periodic Holocene valley, where the seven members of
saturation by a fluctuating water table the Kitros alloformation started to accumulate
(Birkeland 1999). in a punctuated fashion. Unit KTR1 is the old-
est deposit identified so far in the Agios
Dimitrios valley. It is poorly exposed and has
The Agios Dimitrios Alluvial Sequence been identified only near the Holocene valley
walls at the edge of Tl. The lower boundary of
The Agios Dimitrios sequence proved to be the unit is not exposed and it is uncertain
less complete than the Gerakaris, mainly whether or not other, older Holocene deposits
because of limitations on fieldwork imposed are buried below KTR1. Absolute dates for
by the relatively shallow incision of the stream, deposition of this fill are not presently avail-
its heavily overgrown banks and the intensive able. The soil formed within the unit is associ-
cultivation of the surrounding landscape. ated with a Late/Final Neolithic archaeologi-
Three discrete geomorphic surfaces (TO, Tl cal site (5400/5300-3300/3100 BC), which pro-
and T2) have been recognized in the lower vides a minimum age for its deposition. There
reaches of the stream, immediately above the is no good maximum age for the fill. On the
coastal plain of Korinos (Fig. 1.3). The relativ- basis of Stratigraphic position and soil mor-
ely narrow active floodplain (TO) rises 2-3 m phology, however, it is certain that unit KTR1
above the channel. It is inset into the first ter- aggraded during the Holocene. After a period
race (Tl), which is a flat to gently sloping sur- of landscape stability and pedogenesis, sedi-
face, up to 80 m wide and 5-6 m above the mentation resumed and unit KTR2 was depo-
stream bed. The vestiges of T2 have been obser- sited. The A horizon of the soil formed within
ved north and mainly east, and approximately KTR2 is cut by a hearth, associated with pot-
10 m above, the modern channel. Judging tery dated to the sixth century AD. Further-
from their relative position and pedogenic more, the KTR2 soil is the most strongly
features, the deposits beneath T2 represent developed of the Holocene age observed to
Late Pleistocene alluvial units, but they were date in the Agios Dimitrios valley and exhibits
not examined in any detail during fieldwork. a cambic and stage II (Gile et al. 1966) calcic
Stratigraphic investigations focused on the horizon. A palaeosol with similar pedogenic
Holocene alluvial sequence, which is infor- expression, but with a slightly less strongly
mally named the KHros alloformation and developed calcic horizon, has been observed
abbreviated KTR. It embraces at least seven in the Gerakaris Holocene alluvial sequence
sedimentary units (KTR1-7, from oldest to (the soil formed within KAG4). This KAG4
youngest), which are separated by palaeosols. soil had a minimum of 1100 years in which to
Radiocarbon dates (Table 1.2) and archaeolog- form. This suggests that KTR2 was deposited
ical inclusions indicate that these deposits by the Agios Dimitrios some time before the
span the last 7500 years at least. Classical period (fifth century BC), after which
the channel incised, leaving the surface upon
which this strong soil developed free from
The Kitros Alloformation flooding until deposition of KTR5 alluvium.
The next unit described is KTR3, which was
At some, as yet unknown, time the Agios laid down before 2,100±100 bp (390 BC-123 AD;
Figure 1.3 Schematic cross-section of the Agios Dimitrios stream, depicting stratigraphic relationships and chronological data.
Table 1.2 List of radiocarbon dates from the Agios Dimitrios stream.
Lab. no. Depth Material Stratigraphic 513C 513C Calibrated Archaeological phase
(cm) dated unit corrected age age AD/BC
AA31854 330 Charcoal KTR3 -25.5 2,100±100 390BC-123 AD Classical-Roman

AA31858 370 Charcoal KTR3 2,100±170 517BC-318 AD Classical-Roman
AA31855 250 Charcoal KTR4 -26.0 1,675±50 243-530 AD Roman-Early Christian
AA31857 200 Charcoal KTR4 -24.1 1,540±45 419-637 AD Early Christian-Early Byzantine
AA31856 60 Charcoal KTR6 -24.3 530±45 1308-1453 AD Late Byzantine-Post-Byzantine
22 Athanasia Kmhtopoulou
Classical-Roman period). There is no good units KTR3 and KTR4 are inset into these.
maximum age for deposition of this fill, and it Valley-wide sedimentation resumed with
is likely that deposits predating KTR3 are deposition of unit KTR5, which buried all
buried in the Agios Dimitrios valley axis. In- older alluvial fills. Finally, the youngest units
complete exposure of the Holocene sequence KTR6 and KTR7 also accumulated vertically
in this stream, however, inhibits any conclu- above the KTR5 alluvium. Two relatively
sive argument on the occurrence, number and deep and narrow, infilled palaeochannels are
nature of these deposits, and additional field- associated with units KTR1 and KTR6 and
work is necessary to clarify stratigraphic rela- indicate that, unlike in the Gerakaris, there
tionships and establish chronologies. The next has been little lateral migration of the Agios
unit detected, KTR4, was deposited in the Dimitrios stream since the Late/Final Neo-
Holocene valley between 2,100±100 bp (390 lithic period.
BC-123 AD; Classical-Roman period) and All seven members of the Kitros alloformation
1,675±50 bp (243-530 AD; Late Roman-Early are fine-textured (sandy loams, silt loams and
Christian period) and was followed by a peri- silts), reflecting the composition of the source
od of stability and pedogenesis. The Agios material (the Upper Miocene-Lower Pliocene
Dimitrios aggraded again at some point formations), and represent floodplain deposits.
between 1,540±45 bp (419-637 AD; Early Colluvial deposits interfinger within the
Christian period) and the tenth-twelfth centu- KTR4 and KTR7 fills near the valley walls,
ry AD, according to an interbedded Byzantine suggesting that aggradation of these fills was
site. KTR5 alluvium now covered the entire triggered by slope destabilization and large-
valley, overlying unit KTR4 in the centre of the scale sediment input into the system.
valley and KTR2 at the margin. The next allu- The soils formed within the Kitros alloforma-
vium recognized in the sequence (KTR6) was tion are Inceptisols, with the exception of the
deposited at some time after the tenth-twelfth youngest, KTR7 soil, that shows minor pedo-
century AD and before 530±45 bp (1308-1453 genic development and can be classified as an
AD). An infilled palaeochannel, associated Entisol (Birkeland 1999). Overall, there is a
with this unit, indicates that the Agios decrease in pedogenic maturity from older to
Dimitrios was flowing closer to the valley younger units. Occurrences of manganese
walls at this time. The youngest deposit oxides in KTR1 and of redox mottles in KTR2,
described (KTR7) was laid down after 530±45 KTR3 and KTR5 suggest some saturation by a
bp and, judging from the minor degree of fluctuating water table (Birkeland 1999).
pedogenic development, not long before the
present. The Agios Dimitrios changed its
course, migrating slightly to the south to occu- Correlation of the Gerakaris and Agios
py its present bed, and incised, isolating the Dimitrios Sequences
Tl terrace. Deposits lying below the modern
floodplain (TO) have not been examined, but it Overall, the Holocene sequences of both the
seems likely that they are very recent. Gerakaris and Agios Dimitrios streams are
Architecturally, the Agios Dimitrios sequence characterized by long periods of stability and
is slightly different from the Gerakaris. The soil formation, interrupted by infrequent, yet
oldest two alluvial units described (KTR1 and in some cases dramatic, intervals of valley
KTR2) are observed in vertical succession near aggradation and occasional stream incision
the valley walls, while the vertically stacked and lateral migration. Moreover, in both
Holocene Alluvial History of Northern Plena, Macedonia, Greece 23
streams, the frequency of alluviation increased files with stage II calcic horizons). Therefore,
dramatically over the last two millennia. KAG4 and KTR2 could be contemporary,
Although the earliest Holocene deposits may although at present any such correlation must
be buried, the relative rarity of alluviation in be tentative and the stream downcutting,
the early to middle Holocene in both streams which accompanied deposition of KTR2, has
is not an artefact of the exposure of relevant not been observed in the Gerakaris sequence.
deposits. In detail, however, the two streams KTR3 aggraded at some time before 2.1 ka bp
do display some differences in the character and none of the units presently identified in
and timing of alluviation events and stream the Gerakaris valley is temporally equivalent
adjustments (Fig. 1.4). In part, but only in part, to this fill. The Gerakaris aggraded again, the
these differences can be attributed to the con- KAG5 fill being deposited some time after 1.6
trasting level of chronological precision achie- ka bp and most likely around the third-fourth
ved for each sequence and to more restricted century AD, and the stream migrated to the
fieldwork in the Agios Dimitrios stream. north-east. The KTR4 alluvium, laid down
The more complete and better dated Gera- between 2.1 ka bp and the third-sixth century
karis sequence will be used as the basis for the AD, but not accompanied by lateral migration,
following synthesis. The earliest alluvial unit can be tentatively correlated with KAG5.
(KAG1) was deposited in the Gerakaris valley Likewise, the three alluvial events, KAG6,
floor at some time before 8.5 ka bp. Deposits KAG7 and KAG8, dated between the sixth-
of similar age have not been identified in the seventh century AD and the late eighteenth
Agios Dimitrios valley, owing perhaps to the century AD, are tentatively correlated with
incomplete exposure of its early Holocene KTR5, KTR6 and KTR7, which aggraded
alluvial sequence. On the basis of radiocarbon between the fifth-seventh century AD and the
dates for the Gerakaris sequence and of arch- present. The Gerakaris changed its course and
aeological inclusions in the Agios Dimitrios incised most likely between the fifteenth-sev-
sequence (a Late/Final Neolithic site), KAG2 enteenth and eighteenth century AD, while the
in the Gerakaris seems to be contemporary Agios Dimitrios also migrated laterally and
with KTR1 in the Agios Dimitrios and both vertically at some point after the fourteenth-
were laid down before the Final Neolithic. fifteenth century AD.
KAG3 covered the entire Gerakaris valley The alluvial histories of the two streams
between 5.3 ka and 5.1 ka bp, during the Final thus appear to correlate well over the last two
Neolithic, and was followed by at least 1350 millennia. Both streams also appear to have
years of landscape stability. No equivalent experienced common phases of alluviation at
alluvial unit has yet been identified in the some time between the late ninth and early
Agios Dimitrios valley. The next alluvium rec- sixth millennia bp and again in the fourth-
ognized in the Gerakaris sequence (KAG4) was third millennia bp. The two sequences cannot
deposited between 3.7 ka bp and 2.7 ka bp be compared for the earliest part of the
and was followed by another prolonged Holocene, because of the incompleteness of
phase of landscape stability and soil forma- the record from the Agios Dimitrios stream.
tion, which lasted for a minimum of 1100 The two streams do appear to diverge at least
years. In terms of pedogenic expression and at two points: in the late sixth millennium bp,
degree of pedogenic maturity, the soil formed when the Gerakaris alluvium KAG3 is not
on KTR2 and the KAG4 palaeosol are very matched in the Agios Dimitrios valley, and at
similar (both exhibit Ab-Bwkb-Bkb soil pro- some time between perhaps the fourth-third
Figure 1.4 Comparative chronology of alluvial activity in the Gerakaris and Agios Dimitrios streams. The length of each rectangle
indicates not the duration of alluviation, but the uncertainty of dating; solid, dashed and missing borders of rectangles
indicate termini of increasing uncertainty.
millennium and 2100 bp, when the Agios would be broadly consistent with the argu-
Dimitrios experienced the KTR3 alluviation, ments advanced by van Andel et al. (1990) in
apparently missing in the Gerakaris valley. favour of widespread erosion triggered by
agricultural activity towards the end of the
Neolithic and beginning of the Bronze Age.
Landscape Change and the Formation of the In the case of this study area, however, a
Archaeological Record number of considerations caution against
acceptance of this conclusion. First, the mid-
The geomorphic processes that have altered Holocene parts of the Gerakaris and Agios
the landscape of the study area have also seri- Dimitrios sequences, which have been inter-
ously affected the survival and visibility of the preted as evidence for locally variable alluvial
archaeological record. Most of the known set- histories, include some serious chronological
tlements in the catchments of the Gerakaris ambiguities. It is possible, therefore, that fur-
and Agios Dimitrios streams have suffered ther dating evidence will undermine some of
erosion, which has removed much of the pre- the apparent divergence between the two
existing soils and archaeological deposits streams. Secondly, the Gerakaris alluvial unit
(Pappa 1999), and total destruction of small, KAG3, for which no equivalent has been
ephemeral or perhaps early sites cannot be found in the Agios Dimitrios sequence, is very
precluded. On the other hand, sediment trans- closely dated to the late sixth millennium bp
ported by both streams has buried the lower or Final Neolithic. Available archaeological
valleys under thick alluvial deposits, obscur- evidence suggests human occupation of both
ing 'ancient topographies' and archaeological catchments at this time, whereas the contrast-
sites from surface survey, however intensive. ing alluvial records might lead one to expect
Chance finds in exposures demonstrate that occupation of the Gerakaris catchment but not
sites buried in this way range in date from at of the Agios Dimitrios. It must be stressed that
least the Late/Final Neolithic to the Byzantine the archaeological evidence is too coarsely
period (Krahtopoulou 2001). dated to establish unambiguously its contem-
poraneity with KAG3. Moreover, an anthro-
pogenic trigger for this or any other alluvial
Causality: Agents of Landscape Change episode presumably depends on the scale,
longevity and severity of human impact, which
Landscape changes, such as have been docu- cannot be assessed from the crude evidence of
mented in the study area, tend to be attributed the presence or absence of human settlement.
to 'natural' causes, when alluvial episodes in On the other hand, the scant settlement evi-
different catchments appear to be contempo- dence does nothing to strengthen the interpre-
rary (Vita-Finzi 1969), and to anthropogenic tation of KAG3, in anthropogenic terms, as the
causes, when this is not the case (van Andel et product of (intensive) human activity restrict-
al 1990). On this basis, it might be argued that ed to only one of the two catchments studied.
alluviation in the study area was driven by cli- The evidence from the study area can also
mate, or some other natural factor(s), during be approached from a rather different direc-
the early Holocene and also during the last tion. A striking common feature of both
2000 years, with a more complex alternation streams is that, through most of the Holocene,
between natural and cultural forcing in the the landscape has been characterized by long
intervening millennia. This interpretation periods of stability and pedogenesis, punctu-
26 Athanasia Krahtopoulou
ated by short-lived and relatively infrequent Conclusion

episodes or phases of erosion and alluviation.
This might suggest a landscape normally This study has revolutionized understanding
under limited threat of anthropogenic destabi- of the degree to which the landscape of north-
lization. Over the last two millennia, however, ern Pieria has changed during the Holocene
both catchments were subject to frequent and also of the extent to which these changes
destabilization and alluvial deposition. In the have shaped survival and visibility of the
case of the KTR4 and KTR7 units in the Agios archaeological record. An understanding of
Dimitrios valley, interleaving with colluvial the nature of landscape change will also play
deposits suggests that increased sediment a valuable role in future attempts to under-
input into the system was triggered by slope stand the changing pattern of human settle-
destabilization. Moreover, an anthropogenic ment in this region in terms of the distribution
contribution to these recent alluvial episodes of resources. For example, the progressive cre-
receives some support from both historical ation of an extensive coastal plain and related
and palynological evidence (Gerasimidis shift eastwards of the coastline are likely to
1984) for human activity in the Pierian have exercised a significant influence over set-
uplands over the last two millennia. Thus, tlement location. Geoarchaeological study
even though the late Holocene alluvial histo- alone is unlikely to resolve the critical issue of
ries of the Gerakaris and Agios Dimitrios the cause(s) of landscape change. Well-dated
catchments apparently correlate well, a plau- sequences such as those described here, how-
sible argument could be mounted in favour of ever, in combination with independent arch-
a major causal role for anthropogenic distur- aeological and other paleoecological records
bance. It should also be noted that the alluvial of comparable quality, would surely underpin
histories of the two streams developed in par- fruitful discussion of these issues.
allel over a period of time far longer than the
usual climatic suspects, such as the early mod-
ern 'Little Ice Age7 (Lamb 1982). Acknowledgments
It might be argued that the two catchments
studied here are too close for correlation of This paper is based on research undertaken
their alluvial histories to be able to discrimi- for my PhD thesis at the University of
nate between climatic and anthropogenic cau- Sheffield, partially funded by the University
sation, but their proximity also factors out of Sheffield and the A.G. Leventis Foundation.
several other potential environmental con- Generous funding for the radiocarbon dates
trasts, such as in geology, altitude, topogra- presented here was provided by INSTAP
phy or climax vegetation. On the other hand, through the Makrigialos post-excavation pro-
it is also striking that the chronological resolu- ject. I would like to thank my supervisors, Dr
tion of the present study, which is arguably Charles Frederick and Dr Paul Halstead, for
finer and firmer than that of most preceding fruitful and stimulating discussions during
studies in Greece, sets only proxima for the this research, and Manthos Besios of the 1ST
beginning and end of each depositional event, Ephorate of Antiquities of Thessaloniki for
and still leaves sufficient ambiguity to make it sharing with me his deep knowledge of the
difficult to argue for a particular form of cau- landscape and archaeology of Northern
sation on the basis of the degree of synchro- Pieria. Dr Paul Halstead has also helped in
nism between different alluvial sequences. finalizing and editing the language of this
paper. Special thanks to my field companions Gile, L.H., F.F. Peterson and R.B. Grossman
Kostas, Themis and Christos who always 1966 Morphological and genetic sequences of car-
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Landscape and Land Use in Postglacial Greece - (1. Holocene Alluvial History of Northern Pieria Macedonia Greece)

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Landscape and Land Use in Postglacial Greece - (1. Holocene Alluvial History of Northern Pieria Macedonia Greece)

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1

Holocene Alluvial History of Northern Pieria,

Introduction Pierian hills and discharge into the Thermaic

Figure 1.1 Location of the study area.

AA31853 135 Charcoal NT1? -24.3 38,800±1100 Not calibrated Palaeolithic

AA31854 330 Charcoal KTR3 -25.5 2,100±100 390BC-123 AD Classical-Roman

ated by short-lived and relatively infrequent Conclusion

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