A palaeogeographic reconstruction of the seafront of the ancient city of Delos in relation to Upper Holocene sea level changes in the central Cyclades

Palaeogeographical reconstruction of the seafront of the ancient city of Delos is based on the recording and study of all available indicators of sea level change. Contemporary submerged beachrock formations and presently submerged areas of ancient human activity, including ancient coastal constructions, indicate the phases, vertical direction, extent and time frame of the changes. The sea level along the coasts of Delos has risen by a total of 2.15 m since the end of the Hellenistic period. This change occurred during two successive distinct phases of submersion, initially by 1.35 m and then by another 0.80 m. The sea’s transgression into the ancient coastal zone by a width of at least 30 m radically altered parts of its geomorphology and resulted in the submersion of the ancient sea defences.