Der Hafen von Smyrna

Die Sondierungsgrabungen von Kemeraltı und ihre Auswertung

Abstract

Owing to insufficient research it has not been possible so far to clarify in satisfactory detail Smyrna’s ancient coastline at the time of the relocation of the city during Hellenism or the possible existence of a natural bay. However, a closer survey of the modern urban topography suggests that both the ancient coastline and the artificial mole of the harbour can be reconstructed on the basis of the course described by streets in Kemeraltı. These assumptions have now been confirmed by five trial excavations at different points in the district. It has also become apparent that the silting up of the bay began to accelerate considerably only in the 17th century, in the course of which today’s alluvial soil was formed.