Tephrochronology and micromorphology of Theran tephra deposits at Palaikastro, Crete

Abstract

This study uses tephrochronology and soil micromorphology to analyze the geochemical and physical properties of five tephra deposits found in Late Minoan IA contexts (excavated in 2003 and 2015) at the Bronze Age site of Palaikastro, Crete, Greece. Results confirm that the tephra originated from the Minoan Theran eruption and establish relative chronologies for LM IA site areas containing the Theran tephra. Micromorphological observations indicate that the tephra was initially deposited by aeolian processes and was redeposited or reworked by various hydrogeological processes into secondary depositional contexts. Findings are contextualized by comparison with data from Theran samples from Thera (Santorini) and from other East Cretan sites. Results signal that the settlement area at Palaikastro was partially or completely abandoned before tephra deposition, and the area and its surrounding landscape remained abandoned in the immediate aftermath of the Theran eruption.