A years-long underwater expedition off the coast of Greece has revealed a treasure trove of maritime marvels from around the world, across 10 ancient shipwrecks.
From the remains of a doomed 5,000-year-old vessel to a sunken World War II-era ship, the discoveries shed new light on the history of Mediterranean culture and commerce, Knewz.com has learned.
In 2019, archaeologists embarked on a four-year research voyage off the coast of Kasos, one of the Aegean Islands, using Homer’s Iliad — one of the oldest surviving works of Greek literature, written during the 8th century B.C.E — and other historical records to guide them, the Greek Ministry of Culture said in a press release on Wednesday, March 13.
Centuries ago, Kasos was a bustling trade hub and, according to Iliad, contributed ships to the Trojan War.
Over the course of the endeavor, the team made discoveries spanning epochs, including the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Medieval and Ottoman periods.
The oldest shipwreck dates back to 3,000 B.C.E, and the most recent is a wooden vessel nearly 100 feet long with “metal elements,” believed to be from the World War II era.
The sunken remains contained goods from Spain, Italy, Africa and the coasts of Asia Minor, representing “the rich cultural heritage of the Mediterranean,” experts said. All of the artifacts were discovered between depths of 65 and 155 feet.
Among the treasures were a Spanish jar adorned with a seal from the 2nd century A.D., Roman-era drinking vessels and terra sigillata flasks from the shores of Africa, and an anchor from the Archaic period. according to the Ministry of Culture.
The work concluded after the final expedition between October 10 to 26, 2023, when the team meticulously cataloged their finds through “modern technological equipment” as well as thousands of underwater photographs.
The team also mapped the underwater area of the Kasos-Karpathos reef and Karpatholimnion area using sonar technology for the first time, according to the press release.
The detailed records offer “a wealth of primary data to the international scientific community,” the ministry said.
The team’s work has become the subject of a documentary titled “Diving into the History of the Aegean” by AORI FILMS, which can be viewed here in Greek and English, and will be featured in upcoming international film festivals.
The research will also be the subject of a volume slated for publication later this year.
In June of 2024, another expedition will explore the marine area of Karpathos, “which forms a single geographical entity with Kasos,” according to the Ministry of Culture.
The post Treasure Trove of 10 Shipwrecks Off Greek Island Discovered, Dating From 5,000 Years Ago to World War II Era appeared first on Knewz.
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Author: Marissa Papanek
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