Year: 1992
Type: article
Abstract: ALAEA AND NEA KAMENI, the two volcanic domes now vis ible in the caldera of Thera (Santorini) are vivid reminders that the immense Bronze Age eruption entombing Akro tiri did not mark the end of volcanic activity on the island. Almost immediately) at least in geological terms) the fragmented landmass began to rebuild itself) mainly by means of intermit tent eruptions of lava that have today created a massive submarine volcanic edifice manifested on the surface of the caldera by the two Kamenis. 1 According to a wide variety of ancient sources) at least two of these subaerial eruptions took place in Greco-Roman antiquity. The problem facing historians and geologists is to determine not only when these events occurred) but also whether or not they have any relationship to the modern Kameni islands. On this latter problem) even after three international congresses on Thera) there is little consensus: some) following FouquC)2 believe that only one landmass thrown up by volcanic activity in antiquity still exists) though they disagree on which volcanic event is responsible; others) following the lead of Philippson,3 argue that none of the 'islands' created in the caldera in Greco Roman times exist today. As a result, the 'birthdate' of Palaea Kameni, the older of the two (Nea Kameni emerged in 1707) has been placed as early as 198/197 R.C. and as late as A.D. 1573.
Author: P. Y. Forsyth
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology (arts and humanities)
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W1536187707