A new study published in the scientific journal Sustainability (MDPI) reconstructs the marine conditions of the historic port of Akko during the Hellenistic period.
The research was led by Prof. Tali Mass from the Coral Biomineralization and Physiology Laboratory, in collaboration with Kobi Sharvit from the Marine Archaeology Unit at the Israel Antiquities Authority.
By analyzing 2,000-year-old coral skeletons of Cladocora caespitosa alongside living corals from Haifa Bay, the team discovered that these ancient corals thrived in waters rich in light and nutrients—likely influenced by early human activity, possibly even sewage discharge dating back two millennia.
The exceptional preservation of these coral skeletons provides rare insights into how marine ecosystems responded to human pressures long before the industrial era. Combining marine ecology, archaeology, and ancient DNA analysis, this interdisciplinary research offers valuable knowledge for the conservation and restoration of Mediterranean coral reefs in the face of climate change and growing human impact.
