Identifying ancient inland tsunami deposits is important for recognizing tsunami risk today. In Israel,
8 th century AD sediments preserved in an ancient warehouse near the coast of Caesarea were
interpreted as tsunami-related; but because these findings have not been substantiated elsewhere
there is little understanding of the lateral extent, scale, or magnitude of the event. During recent
archaeological excavations, similar deposits were found in locations beyond the warehouse,
including 1.5km inland above a Byzantine (4-5 th AD) crypt. These newly exposed deposits can be
assessed to determine their origin, and whether they could be associated to the same event. Within
a collaboration with the Israel Antiquities Authority, sediment samples were collected to be analyzed
for marine content (e.g. foraminifera/shelly inclusions), grain size and XRF; with the aim to decipher
the mechanism and time of deposition. Preliminary results have not yet negated the hypothesis. If
evidence supporting tsunami deposits far from the coastline is recognized, it will broaden our
understanding of the scope of these past events, and guide policy regarding everyday coastal
planning as well as disaster preparedness.