Post-Roman History of River Systems in Western Cyprus

Causes and Archaeological Implications

Abstract

The presence of Medieval and more recent fluvial deposits in the eastern Mediterranean has important implications for archaeological field survey and for understanding settlement patterns. They may help to explain, for example, why valley floors and terraces are devoid of any sites older than a few centuries. An extensive presence of Medieval and more recent fluvial deposits has been uncovered in western Cyprus as well as in other parts of the Mediterranean. Possible causes are investigated by correlating ‘synchronous’ variables in the landscape that might have had some impact on the fluvial system. Fluvial deposits tentatively dated to the Byzantine period could be a result of the drier conditions. Some deposits, however, suggest anthropogenic influence as well. The widespread river deposition on Cyprus during the Frankish Period was probably caused by wetter conditions, which increased the frequency of overbank flooding. Moreover, increased agricultural production and mining and smelting activities might have triggered erosion and subsequent deposition in the river valleys as indicated at some localities. Fluvial deposition during the Ottoman Period may be correlated with typical ‘Little Ice Age’ climatic conditions