Impacts of Alexandria's Heptastadion on coastal hydro-sedimentary dynamics during the Hellenistic period: A numerical modelling approach

Abstract

After its foundation in 331 BC, Alexandria was linked to the island of Pharos by the Heptastadion. The present study aims at understanding the impact of this building on the local water and sand dynamics. We used numerical models to compute the wind-induced currents and sediment re-suspension, comparatively without and in the presence of the Heptastadion. Results suggest that the Heptastadion was not only a link structure to reach the Pharos island, but a structure liable to reduce the sandy sediment dynamics in the eastern harbour, and then to protect the eastern harbour from infilling by the allochthonous sand drift. © 2006 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2006 The Nautical Archaeology Society.