''The 'Evolved GE.N.ESIS project' is a doctoral research project in the field of Hydrography and Marine Geophysics, aiming at improving our understanding about the sea off Methoni, specifically focusing on the knowledge of the underwater cultural resources, the regional underwater natural resources, the physical processes, the development and the condition of the underwater environment. Through the project outcomes, the strengths and the weaknesses of the sea region are addressed and strategies for sustainable regional growth are identified. The project is being sponsored by the Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography, University of Patras (Greece)''. Panagiotis Gkionis (Project Manager)
Background
Back in 2012 a joint venture between the Plymouth University (UK) and the Hellenic Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities (Ministry of Culture) led to the conduct of the ‘GE.N.ESIS project’ (www.methoni-genesis.blogspot.com). At that time, a marine geoarchaeological reconnaissance survey was conducted off Methoni (Greece) for the GEoreferenced depictioN and synthESIS of the marine archaeological survey data on a Geographic Information System. As part of the project results, Methoni’s prehistoric submerged settlement and the town’s ancient harbour and submerged breakwater, as well as historic wrecks and artefacts were visualised with the use of geophysical instrumentation. It was not before the project completion, when the wealth of the cultural knowledge that the sea off Methoni hides was fully revealed. This wealth is indicative of Methoni’s development and glory in the past centuries.
Nowadays, so many processes and activities are happening in the sea off Methoni. Apart from the existence of underwater antiquities, the local bay provides safe, shallow waters for recreational sea activities and a protected anchorage area. Anchoring has sporadically proved to disturb the underwater antiquities’ condition though. Aquaculture businesses are also evident in the area throughout the year. The fishing business/fleet off Methoni is also active in the summer time. The sea area off Methoni is a Site of Community Importance and Special Area of Conservation. It forms part of the Natura2000 Network; endangered species of priority like the Monk seal and the Caretta-caretta turtle live in the vicinity. The Mediterranean endemic species Posidonia Oceanica (plant sensitive to pollution and, thus, a bioindicator of local ecological conditions) forms extensive, high density underwater meadows. Sapienza island (1nm off Methoni) is a Natural Monument. Besides, EU Motorways of the Sea pass through the approaches of the project area. A dense flow of maritime trade assets is formed close to the project area. It was back in April 2013 when the cargo vessel Pirireis, loaded with fertilizer, sank after colliding with the freighter ConSouth, 8 nautical miles off Methoni. Last but not least, physical processes are causing coastal erosion, sedimentation and there is a strong potential for the natural processes to impact the physical stability of the prehistoric submerged settlement which is lying in the very shallow part of the bay.
In spite of all above processes and according to Eurostat, in the last decade the population in the area has been rapidly decreased, very few young people have tertiary education and a high percentage of young people are unemployed, without education or training. Maritime related business opportunities in the area are now limited and the need for developing regional convergence strategies for sustainable growth is a necessity.
Vision
To make people fully aware of what (and where) is happening in the sea area off Methoni, to highlight the sustainable growth potential of underwater resources, processes and maritime activities taking place off Methoni and to contribute to the promotion of the protection of the local environment.
Concept
Through the project, methods in Hydrography and Marine Geophysics are used for contributing to the Marine Knowledge, with focus on the knowledge of physiography and geoarchaeology of underwater Methoni. We provide marine geophysical and geoarchaeological knowledge within the project area to the stakeholders, the scientific community and the society in general. This knowledge gives a better understanding of the benthic habitats, the underwater cultural heritage resources, the physical processes, the development and the hazards of the underwater environment. Through the 'Evolved GE.N.ESIS project', this knowledge is expected to help us highlight potential maritime synergies in the area that can be drivers for sustainable regional growth, as well as to help us highlight conflicts affecting the condition of the underwater resources and environment. A sustainable regional growth can lead to a better quality of life for the local people, more jobs, development and well informed choices for consumers and visitors.
Aims and Objectives
The project aims at highlighting the resources that have the potential of being drivers for sustainable growth in the project area and the indicators of environmental condition, focusing on the geophysical properties of the local underwater environment and the local underwater cultural heritage resources. In order the project aim to be carried out, a series of objectives have been set, as follows:
- Define the bathymetry in the project area
- Contribute to the monitoring of natural processes / erosion pattern along the Methoni coast, providing a reliable, high resolution baseline bathymetric surface of the Methoni bay, to which past and future surfaces can be compared to
- Map the seabed texture and habitats in the areas of maritime synergies
- Study the marine geological evolution of Methoni bay, through representation of Holocene stratigraphy
- Record the documented shipwreck ruins/loads, using integrated marine geophysical techniques and instrumentation
- Explore not previously recorded/documented shipwreck ruins and features of potential archaeological interest, through correlation of marine geophysical data
- Record in 3 dimensions the Methoni ancient/medieval harbour and breakwater, using hydrographic methods and instrumentation
- Record the submerged prehistoric settlement off Methoni, assessing its potential extent, including its buried part under the seabed and investigate the evidence for its submersion, using marine geophysical methods and instrumentation
- Assess the short-term evolution of the marine archaeological sites, particularly the prehistoric settlement condition and physical stability
- Depict, synthesise and analyse in all 4 dimensions the acquired and archival marine geophysical data and geoarchaeological survey findings, through spatial correlation of datasets in a GIS
- Demonstrate stakeholders an advanced maritime spatial planning and coastal management platform
- Provide consultancy about maritime spatial planning and coastal resource management to the stakeholders, based on the project results
- Evaluate the techniques implemented and instrumentation used for the geoarchaeological and the geophysical project investigations
Methodology
Marine geophysical instruments (bathymetric and sidescan sonars, sub-bottom profilers, magnetometers and other instruments) and methods are used to investigate the physiography, geology and underwater cultural heritage off Methoni. Inflatable boats are used as survey platforms. Differential methods are used for PNT applications. The survey outcomes are processed and together with all other available geospatial / geophysical data are integrated in a decision making GIS platform.
