Short contribution: Buried canopic channel identified near Egypt's Nile Delta Coast with radar (SRTM) imagery

摘要

Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data, with ground-based geologic investigations, define the geographic position of the relict, Canopic channel in Egypt's NW Nile delta. Two sinuous channel segments south of Abu Qir Bay are observed oil a radar image: a more sinuous trace (36 km in length) west of Idku lagoon, and an eastern one (similar to 20 km), reaching the lagoon's southeast corner. Sediment, cores recovered along channel traces show sand-rich deposits (to > 4 in thick) beneath the surface, in contrast with silty muds in areas away from channels. Historic and archaeological findings indicate that the Ptolemaic Roman city of Schedia once lay directly along the Canopic that channeled water from the 3rd to 2nd centuries B.C. until similar to 5th century A.D., after which Nile water was displaced to the east via Bolbitic and, later, Rosetta branches. Identification of buried, but well-defined, Canopic channels provides baselines for renewed archaeological exploration in this delta sector. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.