LIMNOARCHAEOLOGICAL PROBLEMATICS IN THE LIGHT OF NEW SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES

Romanescu Gheorghe, Bounegru Octavian, "Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Romania;

Abstract

The term “limnoarchaeology” belongs to the American literature and it was introduced in the 60s to designate the research of reservoirs that have occupied the man-inhabited territory. Hence, in this case, the subject is represented only by large reservoirs, not by the entire category of lakes. It can be part of industrial archaeology. This is why the term was forgotten or seldom used. The term limnoarcheology can be used, largely, to study the material testimonies of lacustrine bodies – natural or artificial – because of level oscillations or of human settlement occupation through floods. The best examples for natural lakes are those that have suffered high level oscillations, such as the relict lakes (Ladoga, Onega, etc.), the lagoons (Razim, Venice, etc.) or the natural dam lakes (Rosu, Crucii, etc.). Limnoarchaeology can also include the research of the traces left within current seas (former lakes): on the continental platform of the Black Sea, one may find the traces left by human civilisation 7000–6000 years ago, when only a freshwater lake occupied the space.