Preliminary assessment of wave energy hazards in a shallow underwater water cultural heritage site

Abstract

Coastal areas are characterized by high energetic conditions associated with the wave transformation processes and by numerous underwater cultural heritage (UCH) sites whose preservation is crucial given their cultural and economic value. Wave energy is considered a significant hazard driver for the conservation of UCH sites in wave-exposed coasts and may cause the scattering and scouring of archaeological objects, which results in the loss and degradation of the sites. In this paper, the wave energy-induced threats of a coastal site that was revealed due to coastal erosion in the mid-1970s and now is completely submerged in shallow waters, is examined. The results showed that wave energy is a significant threat due to the scouring and weathering phenomena that can detach materials from the structure.