Department of Archaeology, Ankara University Mustafa V. Koç Research Center for Maritime Archaeology, Ankara University, Ankara 06100, Turkey;
Center for Labelling and Isotope Production, TRIGA (Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics) Center Atominstitut, Technische Universität Wien, Wien 1020, Austria.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 Jan 4;119(1). doi: 10.1073/pnas.2114213118.
The Late Bronze Age Thera eruption was one of the largest natural disasters witnessed in human history. Its impact, consequences, and timing have dominated the discourse of ancient Mediterranean studies for nearly a century. Despite the eruption's high intensity (Volcanic Explosivity Index 7; Dense Rock Equivalent of 78 to 86 km) [T. H. Druitt, F. W. McCoy, G. E. Vougioukalakis, 15, 185-190 (2019)] and tsunami-generating capabilities [K. Minoura , 28, 59-62 (2000)], few tsunami deposits are reported. In contrast, descriptions of pumice, ash, and tephra deposits are widely published. This mismatch may be an artifact of interpretive capabilities, given how rapidly tsunami sedimentology has advanced in recent years. A well-preserved volcanic ash layer and chaotic destruction horizon were identified in stratified deposits at Çeşme-Bağlararası, a western Anatolian/Aegean coastal archaeological site. To interpret these deposits, archaeological and sedimentological analysis (X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy instrumental neutron activation analysis, granulometry, micropaleontology, and radiocarbon dating) were performed. According to the results, the archaeological site was hit by a series of strong tsunamis that caused damage and erosion, leaving behind a thick layer of debris, distinguishable by its physical, biological, and chemical signature. An articulated human and dog skeleton discovered within the tsunami debris are in situ victims related to the Late Bronze Age Thera eruption event. Calibrated radiocarbon ages from well-constrained, short-lived organics from within the tsunami deposit constrain the event to no earlier than 1612 BCE. The deposit provides a time capsule that demonstrates the nature, enormity, and expansive geographic extent of this catastrophic event.
晚青铜时代的锡拉火山喷发是人类历史上有记录以来最大的自然灾害之一。近一个世纪以来，其影响、后果和时间一直主导着古代地中海研究的讨论。尽管这次喷发强度极高（火山爆发指数 7；致密岩石当量 78 至 86 公里）[T. H. Druitt、F. W. McCoy、G. E. Vougioukalakis，15，185-190（2019）]，且有产生海啸的能力[K. Minoura，28，59-62（2000）]，但很少有海啸沉积物的报道。相比之下，浮石、火山灰和火山碎屑沉积物的描述却被广泛发表。这种不匹配可能是解释能力的一种表现，因为近年来海啸沉积学的发展非常迅速。在Çeşme-Bağlararası，一个位于安纳托利亚西部/爱琴海沿海的考古遗址，在分层沉积物中发现了一层保存完好的火山灰层和混乱的破坏层。为了解释这些沉积物，进行了考古学和沉积学分析（X 射线荧光光谱仪仪器中子活化分析、粒度分析、微体古生物学和放射性碳测年）。结果表明，该考古遗址遭受了一系列强烈海啸的袭击，造成了破坏和侵蚀，留下了一层厚厚的碎屑，其物理、生物和化学特征可将其与其他层区分开来。在海啸沉积物中发现的一具完整的人和狗骨架是与晚青铜时代锡拉火山喷发事件有关的原地受害者。在海啸沉积物中发现的经过良好约束的、短寿命有机物的放射性碳年代测定结果将该事件限制在公元前 1612 年之前。该沉积物提供了一个时间胶囊，展示了这场灾难性事件的性质、规模和广泛的地理范围。
