Refining Late-Holocene environmental changes of the Akko coastal plain and its impacts on the settlement and anchorage patterns of Tel Akko (Israel)

Akko/Acre, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in eastern Mediterranean. Tel Akko was major maritime centre southern Levant from Middle Bronze to Late Persian period. The city then moved 1500 m west on promontory where ‘Old City’ Saint-Jean d'Acre located. natural and anthropogenic evolution area reflected by persistent geographical habitation pattern changes. We combine sedimentological faunal analyses radiocarbon dated cores as well identification ceramic sherds found with ground penetrating radar investigations propose an up-to-date palaeogeographical reconstruction landscape/environmental changes coastal plain order understand extent which environmental pressures have played role position anchorage patterns. highlight how local population make use advantages adapted pressures. Following constant sedimentary input simultaneous progradation main areas forced move. While 2nd Millennium BCE tell, late-1st (Phoenician-Persian) relocated western area. Vicissitudes settlement noted archaeological excavations surveys have, most likely, been consequence coastline.