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Geophysical prospection of the Columbus's Harbour near Palos de la Frontera (Spain)
Author(s) -
Rozycki Alexander
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
archaeological prospection
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.785
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1099-0763
pISSN - 1075-2196
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-0763(199709)4:3<139::aid-arp77>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - geology , harbour , pottery , prospection , borehole , salt marsh , archaeology , channel (broadcasting) , excavation , dredging , fauna , geomorphology , paleontology , oceanography , geography , ecology , engineering , computer science , electrical engineering , programming language , biology
In 1990 the exact location of the harbour used by Columbus on his first trip toward America was unknown. Historical sources indicate that the harbour or the pier should be situated near Palos de la Frontera. A small valley was selected as the probable place. Geophysical methods were applied in the first stage of the prospection. The direct current electrical method delimited a buried muddy saltmarsh channel. The thickness of the muddy saltmarsh deposits ranges from 6 m to 19 m. The magnetic method allowed the location of several magnetic anomalies. Eight boreholes were drilled and in the drilled samples, fauna and ancient pottery shards were found. Geological analysis of the borehole cores allowed two phases in the muddy saltmarsh to be distinguished. The first phase is that of a tidal marsh, and is located mostly in the channel. It indicates that the channel was covered permanently by salt‐water. Archaeological excavations were undertaken and remains of ancient ovens, pottery and a coin from the Columbus period were found. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.