The Roman fish tanks of the Western Mediterranean basin as potential scenarios for research on sea-level changes

Abstract

Purpose

This paper analyses Roman fish tanks, which have functional elements that could be used to research on palaeo-sea-levels. Thus, the conditions of 37 installations in the Western Mediterranean basin are reviewed to identify those that have the best environmental and constructive conditions to be analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology was largely based on the review of existing scientific bibliography dealing with sea-level variations from studies on historical constructions, existing historical documentation on Roman fish tanks on the Mediterranean coast, as well as the fieldwork carried out in fish tanks on the Mediterranean coasts.

Findings

The Roman coastal fish tanks located in the shoreline of the Western Mediterranean Sea have turned out to be an excellent indicator of sea-level changes. Nevertheless, current coastal retreat, erosion and storm surges are posing significant threats to their preservation, and they could be considered as a heritage at risk of disappearance. Moreover, variations in the tectonic behaviour of the different coastal sectors make it challenging to select these facilities as an indicator of the sea level.

Originality/value

The analysis of Late Holocene sea-level changes and palaeoenvironments from archaeological and biological evidences, although not without difficulties, is very convenient because it provides very precise data that cannot be obtained with other absolute dating methods. This approach is increasingly gaining popularity with researchers and is very innovative in its method of combining the results of several scientific disciplines.

Citation

Caballero-Rubio, F.J., Viñals, M.J. and Tormo-Esteve, S. (2022), "The Roman fish tanks of the Western Mediterranean basin as potential scenarios for research on sea-level changes", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 92-106. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-05-2021-0096