The Geoarcheology of Greece: Shaping Landscapes Versus Crises and Resilience of the Past
Abstract
Greece is recognized worldwide for its archeological remains. These bear witness of a long human history, from the early stages of the Neolithization of Europe, ca. 8500 years ago, to the apogee of city-states in ancient Greece. This early occupation by populations of farmers and stock breeders had a long-term impact on the environment. Deforestation and soil erosion associated with prescribed fire and the development of agricultural practices have significantly contributed to shaping the geography of the country, from the Balkan Mountains to the Aegean coast. The anthropogenic imprint on the environment has not been without consequences, and past societies had to adapt to environmental crises, such as climate fluctuations, sometimes caused or reinforced by anthropogenic factors. Greece is also a place where Western science emerged and where scholars could discuss at a very early stage the role of these practices in the transformation of the environment. A synthesis of the intensive research conducted in the area of geoarcheology, paleoenvironment, and geohistory on the dynamics of coastal and continental areas evidences the magnitude of changes observed over the last ten millennia. It also reveals a huge and lasting geographical legacy and illustrates the way societies brought, were subjected, or adapted to change. We will discuss here issues relating to geographical and climate determinism, socio-environmental crises, and the ability of societies to adapt to environmental change.