NATURAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES AND THEIR EFFECTS FROM PREHISTORIC PERIOD TO PRESENT IN ALTINOVA (AYVALIK-BALIKESİR)

Abstract

Altınova is a delta formed by alluvium carried by Madra river filling the east edge of
depression extending in the direction of NW-SE between Edremit and Çandar depressions.Rising of
the sea level after the last glacial maximum (Holocene transgression) led to significant changes in the
Altınova-like coastal regions and the shoreline was reshaped.In order to reveal these changes, 22
drilling holes were drilled in Altınova between 1995 and 1998, and 10 drilling holes were drilled
between 2012 and 2015.The paleogeography and geoarchaeology of the delta-coastal basin were
evaluated by analysis of drilling samples and C14 dating.As a result of the research, three main
periods were determined in the alluvial development of Altınova in the Holocene.These; Early
Holocene transgression period, Middle Holocene marine sedimentation period, Late Holocene deltaflood
plain development.It was determined that the first settlement, Yeniyeldeğirmeni Höyük (Early
Bronze), was located along the 5000 BP coast and there were an old lagoon and a coastal barrier in
part of this coast extending to the north of the delta.The shoreline that has been filled with alluvial
deposits has been progressing seaward for the last 7000 years but after the construction of the Madra
dam, it has begun to progress landward.