The ‘MEDBLACKS2014 Workshop’ Took Place at The Işık University

The ‘MEDBLACKS2014 Workshop’ Took Place at The Işık University

The international workshop titled “Implications for Late Quaternary Sea Level Changes on the Mediterranean and Black Sea Coasts” organized by the Işık University and Ardahan University within the scope of the 2013-2014 Turkish German Science Year and sponsored by TÜBA took place between August 31-September 6, 2014 at Işık University.

The workshop held by the organization board chaired by TÜBA-GEBİP member Doç. Dr. Ahmet Evren Erginal in the scope of the TÜBA-GEBİP award program commenced at the Işık University Şile Campus with opening speeches on September 1, 2014. The opening included speeches by Işık University rector Prof. Dr. Nafiye Güneç Kıyak, TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar and Doç. Dr. Ahmet Evren Erginal. Dr. Erginal, who mentioned that this meeting had been organized on the occasion of the ‘Turkish-German Science Year’ emphasized the contributions of German scientists on the development of Turkish geomorphology and the importance of researching the traces of late quaternary sea level changes on the Mediterranean and Black Sea Coasts.

In the opening speech made by TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar at the workshop he emphasized that specific and international workshops like MEDBLACKS2014 are critical and thanked the Işık and Ardahan Universities and the participants. He added that TÜBA supports and will continue to support these types of organizations as much as possible within the scope of the ‘Young Scientist Outstanding Achievement Award (GEBİP)’.

Following the opening speech Ege University Retired Teaching Staff Member Prof. Dr. İlhan Kayan was presented with an award for his contributions to Turkish geo-archeology, geomorphology and physical geography by TÜBA President Prof. Acar after which a a plaque was presented to TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar by Işık University Rector Prof. Dr. Nafiye Güneç Kıyak.

After TÜBA President Prof. Acar’s speech the presentations and scientific sessions took place.

The first three days of the meeting between September 1 and 3 were reserved for scientific sessions while the last three days between September 4 and 6 were reserved for a technical trip and the social program. During the scientific sessions of the MEDBLACKS2014 Workshop in which participants from many different countries like Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, England and Tunisia were in attendance in addition to Turkish and German scientists, many oral and poster presentations were given on such subjects as the changes in the sea level on Mediterranean and Black Sea Coasts, the changes caused by tectonics, sunken ancient port cities and coastal structures, the evidence and traces of geological remains from tsunamis on the Mediterranean coasts, the Black Sea’s quaternary paleo ecology, the methods used in the precise dating of coastal stacks, the environmental changes in the past 11 thousand years and the fossil pollen evidence of changes in the distribution of botanical groups, anthropogenic adaptation to sea level and coastal line changes and observing the climactic, paleo-ecological and geo-archeological proxies in lagoons near the coasts. Before each scientific session select scientists were invited to give presentations on the workshop subjects.

In the field work section of the workshop observation and research studies were conducted on the fossil sand systems in the coast west of Şile and their connection to the sea level changes, the Gelibolu terrace to the sea and its age issue, the history of the Troy, Bergama and Efes ancient city excavations and their architectural structures and the ancient Elaia port and port structures and their connection with the sea level changes. The field study was concluded on the evening of September 6.
*The reports presented in the MEDBLACKS2014 meeting will be published in the international journal called Quaternary International after the judging process as a special edition.

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