TARGETING AREAS FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION THROUGH THE CHARACTERIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF COLLUVIUM: AN EXAMPLE FROM KENCHREAI, EASTERN KORINTHIA, GREECE

Sediment characterization and detailed mapping of the distribution of colluvium in the area of the Roman cemetery at Kenchreai, Greece, enables us to predict the location of buried structures. The cemetery, consisting of rock cut graves and tombs, is part of the Roman port of Kenchreai and is located upon a ridge of Plio-Pleistocene marl, conglomerate and valley fill. The ridge surface slopes relatively steeply to the sea and terminates in a coastal cliff.

Colluvium at the site is typically gravelly sandy silt with some textural variation that reflects underlying bedrock. Although the degree of colluvial transport is unclear, in most profiles only the upper few decimeters appears to have been recently mobilized. We postulate that colluvial thickness is in part controlled by buried structures, as demonstrated by a partially emergent foundation in which colluvium is 60 cm thicker on the upslope side. Detailed mapping of colluvial thickness was possible due to the 200+ looting holes on the site, as well as profiles exposed at graves and tombs.

Significant topographic breaks, numerous ashlars in the local “float”, and hints across the site of building-stone lineaments coincide with areas of particularly thick colluvium, suggesting buried structures in these areas. Combining these lines of evidence with the distribution of colluvial thickness enables us to identify three primary excavation targets as well as areas of low potential for buried structures. For example, the area of the rock cut tombs is characterized by thin colluvium, suggesting limited potential for finding structures of much significance here. One particularly thick area of colluvium was investigated in 2004 by geophysical methods, revealing a large rectangular foundation. Determining the distribution of colluvium can guide geophysical exploration, and combining these two non-destructive techniques can help pinpoint archaeologically rich areas. Our detailed mapping of colluvium highlights areas of both high and low potential for buried remains and serves as a means for helping to direct large-scale excavations beginning in 2007.