Foraminifera [Marine Microfossil] as an additional tool for archaeologists - Examples from the Arabian Sea
Abstract
During the past few decades, microfossils, especially foraminifers have become the prime source to address paleo-environmental issues. These microfossils also find application in marine archaeological studies. Foraminifers present in the shelly sediment layers in Goa and Lothal Dockyard (Cambay) are discussed as case studies of high sea stand. The results indicate the possibility of higher sea level around 6,000 years BP. Similarly sediments collected from the seafloor show a sea level approx. 100m lower than the present at around 15,000yr BP. and explained the possibility of having the Neolithic settlements off Surat at depth of 30 to 40 m water depth having an age of 9,500 years before present. In tropical countries like India, changes in monsoon pattern are the most important aspect of climatic variation. Studies show the clear signals of marked high rainfall around 4000, 3500 and 1000 years BP and a prominent low at 2000 years BP, supported by findings from shallow seismic records and palynological investigations.
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