Geoarchaeological survey on the rock-cut slipways of Rethymnon (Crete, Greece)

Geoarchaeological investigations conducted on the site of the ancient slipway area on the western part of Fortezza in Rethymnon (probably ancient Rithymna) in 2015 revealed new evidence concerning its layout and the inclination of the slipways, as well as the overall extension of the maritime infrastructure. The maritime installation consists of two complexes of slipways located on the rocky west coastline of the peninsula of Fortezza (fig. 1a). Rithymna 1 complex is located at the north and consists of an open slipway (R1) oriented north-south and continuing in the water. The Rithymna 2 complex nearby consists of two rock-cut ramps (R2 and R3) disposed on a different orientation, roughly east-west. They are parallel to each other and present a clear width of 5.40-5.60 m at their seaward end. The R3 slipway has been traced for ca. 40 m in length. Both are today partly covered by a modern parking lot at the foot of Fortezza, as well as the modern coastal asphalt road (fig. 1b). The continuation of both slipways is visible today on the rocky coastline, outside the modern retaining cement wall of the road: a low rock-cut wall dividing the slipways is still preserved and visible (Baika 2013b).