Two Artificial Anchorages off the Northern Shore of the Dead Sea: a specific feature of an ancient maritime cultural landscape |
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Authors: | Asaf Oron Ehud Galili Gideon Hadas Micha Klein |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel;2. Israel Antiquities Authority and Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa, Atlit, Israel;3. Dead Sea and Arava Science Centre, Tamar Regional Council Dead Sea Post, 86910, Israel |
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Abstract: | A recently discovered artificial stone mound on the northern shore of the Dead Sea is a maritime feature exposed by the drying of the lake. Lake‐level fluctuations, a loose silt bottom, lack of natural anchorages, and onshore prevailing winds, prevented the long‐term planning, construction and maintenance of shore‐based harbour installations in this area. This and a similar mound nearby, Rujum el Bahr, are interpreted as structures once used for open‐water mooring, providing a firm anchor‐hold over a range of lake levels and wind directions. As such, they enabled the use of this economically and strategically important part of the lake by maritime traffic. |
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Keywords: | Dead Sea Israel navigation sailing anchoring mooring Dead Sea archaeology |
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