A PRELIMINARY GEOMORPHIC MAP OF THE GREEK ISLAND OF KALYMNOS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Geomorphological mapping is useful in providing geological and archeological context, creating the framework for interpretation of past landscapes and civilizations. Specifically, differentiating geomorphic units can help us understand the relative stability of the landscape, can clarify taphonomic processes of artifact movement and burial, producing an archaeological record. Current work on the island of Kalymnos, Greece seeks to better understand the Early Medieval Roman period defined by Roman-Caliphate warfare (ca. AD 630 to 1000). Our work here supports this ongoing research by providing geomorphic context across the island both at archaeological sites and more broadly. Here, we present a new geomorphic map which identifies the distribution of map units including colluvium, bedrock, and alluvium. Additionally, our geomorphic findings may be useful in understanding the surface hydrology of the semi-arid island and how it may have changed through time. We also highlight the presence of heavily cemented soils (calcrete) and present their use by humans through time. Other anthropogenic structures such as terraces and retaining walls of various ages across the island appear to have impacts on sediment movement as humans have, and continue to, alter the landscape around them. Artifacts such as pottery sherds, which cluster in the surface and subsurface, can bring insight into how geomorphic activity influences movement, concentration, and durability of artifacts in stable and unstable landscapes. Broadly, our map can be used by archaeologists to better understand sediment movement and, in turn, mechanisms for artifact migration and burial.