Evolution of the Portuguese coastline in relation to human occupation

Joint Authors

Nunes, Elisabete
Azevêdo, Teresa

Source

The Egyptian Journal of Environmental Change

Publisher

The Egyptian Society of Environmental Change

Publication Date

2010-10-31

Country of Publication

Egypt

No. of Pages

8

Main Subjects

History and Geography

English Abstract

During the Early Holocene, the sea invaded the Portuguese coastal lowlands allowing the occurrence of wide gulfs close to 5400BP.

At that period, the deceleration of sea rise-levels accompanied by the acceleration of sedimentation rates, allowed the formation of naturally confined lagoons behind distinctively detritic barriers.

Intense deforestation and agricultural occupation of soils subsequently allowed these barriers to be gradually eroded, infilling the lagoons, estuaries and mouths of the rivers.

During the Islamic occupation, fast sailboats still navigated up-rivers.

Fishing communities lived in “calm waters” only venturing into the ocean after the 15th century, when lagoons’ silting became irreversible.

During the 11th century, there were still dozens of ports, that do not exist any more.

In the 12th century, several lagoons were already completely closed, some of which were located far from the sea and consequently transformed into agricultural lands.

Most of the numerous existent ports then disappeared and the rivers were no longer navigable.

These events had strong repercussions.

The coast line became the main area for habitation by inland population whose villages had since themselves become important ports.

Islands, such as Baleal and Peniche, became peninsulas with sandy isthmuses.

Relevant changes in coastal morphology and in human occupation are thus analysed.

Data Type

Conference Papers

Record ID

BIM-967751

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