Wind and wave modelling for the evaluation of the maritime accessibility and protection afforded by ancient harbours

Safadi, Crystal (2016) Wind and wave modelling for the evaluation of the maritime accessibility and protection afforded by ancient harbours. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 5, 348-360. (doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.12.004).

Abstract

Ancient harbour sites are known for the protection and shelter they afford ships and boats, and their degree of maritime accessibility. This paper presents a methodological approach for the evaluation of the natural affordances of Bronze Age and Iron Age harbours located in central and southern Phoenicia, on the coast of modern-day Lebanon. It looks at two particular factors that characterize a harbour location: its afforded maritime accessibility and afforded protection. The methodology builds on an enhanced framework of analysis that includes modelling of wind speed and direction along the Levantine basin, and of wave heights for harbour sites. A review of the maritime developments and activities during the Bronze Age and Iron Age, and of the maritime environment of the eastern Mediterranean, suggests that localized and enhanced frameworks of studies are substantial in order to bypass general observations and trends. Through the modelling of winds, regional differences in mean wind speed and direction are distinguished. These shed insight into the sailing potential along the Levantine basin, particularly on the Lebanese coast. Moreover, in accord with the topography of harbour sites, the wind models highlight their maritime accessibility: direction of sailing from and to each site, and their protection from predominant winds. Congruently, the modelling of wave heights for harbour sites reveals the level of protection they afford ships and boats from the maritime environment.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Author: Crystal Safadi

Download statistics