Human occupation and geomorphological evolution of the Thessaloniki Plain (Greece) since mid Holocene

Abstract

The plain of Thessaloniki is an important area from a historical standpoint. Numerous reigns and empires have occupied the area, leaving behind numerous archaeological remains. The literature and historical evidences show that the city of Pella was located near the sea and its harbor was the starting point of various conquests of famous kings such as Philip the 2nd and Alexander the Great. At present, the ancient capital is located 28 km inland the large fertile plain of Thessaloniki. Palaeogeographic and palaeoenvironmental studies encourage the idea of a fast infilling of the plain between the 5th century BC and the 5th century AD. Twentieth century authors attest to this, but there are contradictory scenarios due to varying interpretations of literature sources. This research offers a new perspective and understanding of the evolution of the Thessaloniki plain based on chronostratigraphical evidences. Historical references of Herodotus, Livy, and Strabo were used to establish the relations between human occupation and landscape evolution. Crossing these chronostratigraphical data with archaeological evidences and literary sources, it was possible to reconstruct shoreline displacements and landscape evolution during the last 5 millennia.