Ancient Akrotiri-Dreamer’s Bay Project: 2019 results

By: Thomas Schmitt Attorney on November 21, 2019 / comment : 0 Archaeology, Cyprus, Europe, Southern Europe, Underwater Archaeology

The Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works has announced the completion of the 2019 underwater archaeological mission at the Akrotiri-Dreamer’s Bay ancient port, in the Limassol District. The survey was directed by staff from the University of Southampton, Centre for Maritime Archaeology, as part of the Ancient Akrotiri Project, an ongoing collaborative research project on the peninsula conducted since 2015 and led by the University of Leicester.

The 2019 season focused on three main tasks: further investigation of the ancient breakwater; completion of the survey of Dreamer’s Bay, its approaches, and the area offshore of the buildings excavated by the University of Leicester team on the coast to the west of the bay [Credit: Dept. of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus]

Between September 8th and 19th 2019, a second season of underwater investigation was conducted at Dreamer’s Bay on the southern shores of the Akrotiri Peninsula, Cyprus. A team of professional diving maritime archaeologists, students of maritime archaeology, divers, surveyors, photographers, and terrestrial archaeologists predominantly from Cyprus and the UK, further investigated the ancient breakwater and the surrounding sea floor in Dreamer’s Bay.

Unlike the previous year that documented the remains of the ancient breakwater submerged some 1-4m beneath the water, the primary focus of the 2019 season was to complete a broader survey of the entire bay and the offshore approaches, and in particular to investigate an area to the east of the breakwater where a large amount of pottery was located in the previous season. The team suspected that this dispersed and concreted concentration of largely homogenous amphorae, was the remains of a shipwreck.

The 2019 season focused on three main tasks: further investigation of the ancient breakwater; completion of the survey of Dreamer’s Bay, its approaches, and the area offshore of the buildings excavated by the University of Leicester team on the coast to the west of the bay; and further analysis of the ceramic concentration to the east of the breakwater in order to determine its nature.

Survey conducted by divers using underwater scooters, enabled wider coverage of the offshore approaches, identified new finds including numerous stone anchors and what appears to be the remains of a wreck carrying roof tiles [Credit: Dept. of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus]

The breakwater was extensively surveyed in 2018 both visually and photogrammetrically. The focus of 2019 was to calculate the volume of the rubble that had fallen from the breakwater largely to the east of the structure, in order to ascertain its original height and scale. The area around the breakwater was also more thoroughly investigated and a channel some 5-6m deep was clearly mapped to the east of the breakwater noting an entrance to the more sheltered water in the lee of the structure, an area of anchorage.

Survey conducted by divers using underwater scooters, enabled wider coverage of the offshore approaches, identified new finds including numerous stone anchors and what appears to be the remains of a wreck carrying roof tiles, still of uncertain date. To the west of the breakwater other concentrations of ceramics were also noted, however, survey further offshore to the west in front of the shoreline buildings excavated by the Leicester team, still failed to identify any archaeological remains, making the theory that this was an area used as a roadstead, less feasible.

All finds were noted, described and photographed underwater and a record of their location taken using GPS. Selected finds were lifted only when they were either in danger of further displacement on the seafloor or were useful chronological indicators.

The most important result of the 2019 season was confirmation that the eastern concentration of largely homogenous ceramics located on an elevated, rocky outcrop to the east of the breakwater and the sheltered channel, was indeed a shipwreck [Credit: Dept. of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus]

The most important result of the 2019 season was confirmation that the eastern concentration of largely homogenous ceramics located on an elevated, rocky outcrop to the east of the breakwater and the sheltered channel, was indeed a shipwreck.

Dating to the end of the 6th or the 7th century AD, as confirmed by ceramics expert Dr Stella Demesticha of the University of Cyprus, the extensive remains of broken amphorae were identified scattered over an area of approximately 130,000sqm, concreted to the rocks and caught in gullies. In the middle of the wreck lies an Aswan granite column also believed to belong to the vessel.

The area was extensively surveyed and the number of amphora shoulders and rims were counted equating to almost 800 in total, reflecting a fairly substantial vessel for the period. Examples of the amphorae were lifted for further analysis, which is still ongoing.

In the middle of the wreck lies an Aswan granite column also believed to belong to the vessel [Credit: Dept. of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus]

The work was carried out with the approval of the Republic of Cyprus Department of Antiquities and the UK Sovereign Base Areas Administration, and very much benefitted from the direct participation of RAF personnel who helped in the preparation and offered their time, expertise and support during the field season.

The University of Cyprus, MARELab, offered support in the form of an excellent dive boat, as well as expertise, particularly with respect to ceramic identification. Nicosia based CP Marine Explorations provided the dive logistics, safety and underwater survey scooters, and Kembali Divers the tanks and air. Further support was provided by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and the Western Sovereign Base Area Archaeological Society.

This season we were honoured to welcome for a day the Base Station commander as visiting diver. The project was generously funded by the Honor Frost Foundation, UK, and sustained by a hard working team of young maritime archaeologists.

Source: Dept. of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus [November 21, 2019]

Two wrecks as big as the Vasa warship discovered off Swedish Island

By: Thomas Schmitt Attorney on November 10, 2019 / comment : 0 Archaeology, Europe, Northern Europe, Sweden, Underwater Archaeology

Two large warships from the 17th century have been found by divers outside Vaxholm, an island near Stockholm. Archaeologist divers from the new museum Vrak – Museum of Wrecks are hoping to have found the Vasa’s sister ships.

Credit: Jim Hansson, SMTM

This week, maritime archaeologists at Vrak – Museum of Wrecks, the new museum that is part of Sweden’s National Maritime and Transport Museums, have investigated historical remains in a depression in the sea bottom, outside of Vaxholm.

The discovery was astonishing – the maritime archaeologists first discovered a shipwreck as big as the Vasa ship. It was a 17th-century warship that was most likely purpose-sunk to make it harder for intruders to take the sea route to Stockholm. The stern is broken, but the bow is better preserved and sticks up roughly 5 metres from the bottom of the sea. The measurements taken and the design details recorded both tally well with the Vasa’s.

“It was like swimming around the Vasa ship,” says maritime archaeologist Jim Hansson enthusiastically.

The next day, the team found another shipwreck – probably larger than the first – in the lengthened section of the first wreck they had found.

Credit: Jim Hansson, SMTM

The maritime archaeologists hope they may have discovered the Vasa’s sister ship, the Apple, one of several large warships that, according to historical sources, were sunk outside Vaxholm during the second half of the 17th century. Among them are likely the Crown and the Sceptre, two ships built in a series together with the Vasa during King Gustav Adolf’s equipping of the Swedish naval fleet.

During the dives, the archaeologists took several samples of the wood in the wrecks. These samples will now be analysed in order to date and hopefully identify the wrecks.

“The detective work has only just begun,” Hansson says.

The dives were carried out by the National Maritime and Transport Museums in cooperation with the Swedish Navy.

About Vrak – Museum of Wrecks

Vrak – Museum of Wrecks is a museum that aims to spread knowledge about the maritime heritage of the Baltic Sea. With the help of digital technology, the museum will bring the stories to the surface while allowing the wrecks to remain at the bottom where they are best preserved.

Credit: Jim Hansson, SMTM

The museum is set to open at the end of 2020 on the island of Djurgarden in Stockholm. The new maritime archaeology museum will bring together the knowledge and collections from the Maritime Museum, the Vasa Museum the Naval Museum and other sources. The museum is part of the National Maritime and Transport Museums.

The museum’s maritime archaeologists are already doing dives, research projects, archival studies and networking around the Baltic Sea. This work is bringing in a steady stream of knowledge and environmental observations that can be shared at the museum.

About the warships

King Gustav II Adolf equipped his naval fleet during the 17th century. He was a proponent of large, mighty ships with plenty of artillery. The large ships that were completed after the Vasa (1628) on Skeppsholmen (now Blasieholmen) included the Apple (launched in 1629), the Crown (1632) and the Sceptre (1634).

Credit: Anneli Karlsson/SMTM

The Apple took part in the invasion of Germany in 1630, but appears to have been used sporadically thereafter. It was most likely a problematic ship, and was sunk in a strait near Vaxholm in 1659.

The Crown engaged in battle at Kolberger Heide in 1644 and Oresund in 1658. The Sceptre became the best sailing ship of the big ships, and was used in the Kolberger Heide battle in 1644.

Both ships were probably sunk in a strait near Vaxholm in the 1670s.

Source: Vrak – Museum of Wrecks [November 08, 2019]

Three ancient shipwrecks discovered off Aegean island of Kasos

By: Thomas Schmitt Attorney on November 04, 2019 / comment : 0 Archaeology, Europe, Greece, Southern Europe, Underwater Archaeology

Greece's Culture Ministry says three shipwrecks from ancient and mediaeval times and large sections of their cargoes have been discovered off the small Aegean island of Kasos.

Stone pyramid-shaped anchor from late classical shipwreck in Kassonissia [Credit: F. Kvalo/Greek Culture Ministry]

A statement Monday said an underwater survey that ended last month also located cannons and other scattered finds - possibly from other foundered vessels that have not yet been pinpointed.

The oldest of the wrecks found was a 2,300-year-old trader. Its surviving cargo included amphorae - large jars used to transport wine, oil or foodstuffs - and fine tableware.

Shipwreck of the Hellenistic period [Credit: C. Hoye/ Greek Culture Ministry]

Iron cannon resting on sloping limestone sediments [Credit: C. Hoye/Greek Culture Ministry]

Wreck from the Greek War of Independence [Credit: F. Kvalo/ Greek Culture Ministry]

Amphora from Byzantine era shipwreck ready to be lifted to the surface [Credit: F. Kvalo/Greek Culture Ministry]

Lifting of amphora from Byzantine era shipwreck [Credit: F. Kvalo/ Greek Culture Ministry]

Archaeologists also located five stone anchors in the wreck. The two other ships dated to the 1st century BC and the 8th-10th century AD.

Kasos lies between Crete and Rhodes on what remains a key trade route linking the Aegean with the Middle East.

Source: Associated Press [November 04, 2019]

Lost Byzantine castle of Kibatos found under water

By: Thomas Schmitt Attorney on October 31, 2019 / comment : 0 Archaeology, Near East, Turkey, Underwater Archaeology

Within the scope of the Yalova Coasts Ancient Harbour and Underwater Survey, which was carried out in Altinova district of the northwestern Turkish province of Yalova for two years, the Byzantine castle of Kibatos (Civetot) was discovered.

Credit: AA

It was reported that the castle was built for the refuge of Anglo-Saxon soldiers, who escaped from the Battle of Hasting between the Crusader armies and the Seljuk armies in the First Crusade in 1069 but may have remained under the Hersek Lagoon as a result of severe earthquakes. The survey has been carried out with the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and with the contributions of Altinova Municipality, Uludag University and the Turkish Historical Society.

Credit: AA

During the works carried out by a team made up of academic Serkan Gunduz, Isil Akalan Gunduz of Leicester University, Survey Engineer Ilke Ekioglu of Sinop University and a team of students, a sea castle spreading over an area of approximately 4,200 square meters was discovered on the coastline between Altinova and Karamursel district of Kocaeli. The castle was in 3.5 meters deep.

Credit: AA

Altinova Mayor Metin Oral said that the castle was discovered as a result of a two-year work and continued: "Although it was located in a very important place in the history scene, finding this castle, which could not be definitively localized, was one of the reasons for starting our research. It was known from the written documents that the Byzantine Emperor Alexius had built a castle in this area for Anglo-Saxon soldiers, who fled the Battle of Hasting in 1069, which changed the history of England. In order to find the castle, we have been searching on the opposite side of the Hereke Castle near Helenopolis, based on the studies we have done in the region for two years."

Credit: AA

"The structure, identified between Helenopolis (Hersek) and Karamursel, is thought to be the Kibatos-Civetot Castle because its architecture is very similar to the expressions in the written documents. Kibatos-Civetot Castle gained great importance in 1096 during the First Crusades. In 1095, just one year after the Pope’s call for the Crusade, the first campaign began. Alexios, who wanted to remove the Crusaders, who came to Constantinople, from the capital, sent them to Kibatos Castle. The armies came to the castle via Nicomedia from the land, and some went directly to the castle by sea. According to the various sources, their number was between 25,000-600,000 people."

Credit: AA

Oral said that they would start working to bring the castle to light. "The Crusades have had inevitable consequences for both the Christian world and the entire Muslim world. This battle is of great importance for European history. However, its importance for the Anatolian Seljuk history and Turkish people, unfortunately, is not known enough. It was the first great battle defeat of the Crusader history in Anatolia that would attack the Anatolian Seljuk State following the siege of Iznik (Nicaea) in 1097," he said.

The works to unearth Kibatos Castle will take about three years. The findings of the studies will be shared with the public.

Source: Hurriyet Daily News [October 31, 2019]

A sea strewn with shipwrecks

By: Thomas Schmitt Attorney on October 31, 2019 / comment : 0 Archaeology, Europe, Greece, Heritage, Southern Europe, Underwater Archaeology

If one had to imagine a sea strewn with shipwrecks, one would not have to go very far. "One has only to consider that in the region of Fournoi alone we have located 58 such shipwrecks" says head of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities Pari Kalamara to the Athens and Macedonia News Agency. But how many of these can be visited?

View of the shipwreck in Peristera, Alonnisos [Credit: Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities]

The last big bet made by the service she runs is precisely in regards to this matter of accessibility. Creating the so called "underwater museums" where visitors will be able to scuba dive to enjoy one of the most mysterious chapters of history may soon become a reality. How did these ships go down and under what circumstances? Were they war or trading ships? What do the findings have to say about their identity?

The first museum that will open as a pilot scheme next summer is that of Peristera in the North Sporades and the three in the Pagasetic Gulf. However, for one to arrive at such a finished shipwreck as to be considered an archaeological wonder or ,even with a degree of exaggeration, as the "Parthenon of the deep", one has to go back to 2005 when recreational scuba diving was first made legitimate. "It is then that the concept is mentioned of archaeological diving parks and the possibility of creating underwater museums" says Pari Kalamara to the AMNA. "Till that moment recreational scuba diving was forbidden", she adds.

Since becoming Head of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities in February 2018, she herself only recently began her first scuba diving. "When we talk of underwater sites open to visitors, we are talking about average depths, i.e. up to thirty metres", she points out. This was not the only term however. The law stipulated that no private diving could take place without the presence of an archaeologist or antiquities keeper.

After 2005 at least another eight years had to pass to determine which underwater sites can be visited. These sites were determined since 2012 until 2015, while this year, four more shipwrecks were rated as accessible.

"We have a group of eight shipwrecks in the Pagasetic Gulf and the Alonnisos region, a second group of seven shipwrecks between Lavrion and Makronisos and a third in Methoni Messinia, where one of them is the historically charged site of the Naval Battle of Navarino. These three regions can be made accessible to visitors", said Ms Kalamara to the AMNA.

A visit however is not that simple. There is still a lot to be done; from the bollards for mooring visitors’ crafts, to the staff required to accompany them. In the meantime, one can let his/her imagination run free when looking at the digital map where the archaeologist scuba divers have placed the shipwreck sites: the Telegraphos, Glaros and Kikynthos in the Pagasetic Gulf. The Peristera, Tselios, Aghios Petros, Faggrou and Skantzoura in the Northern Sporades.

In all these cases, the sunken ships borrowed their names from the geographic locations. But to what era do all these shipwrecks belong? "To all eras", replies Ms Kalamara. "We have shipwrecks even from Prehistoric times and of course from the Classical, Late Roman, Byzantine and also far more recent".

The safest guide for placing a ship in its correct period is its cargo. The Peristera shipwreck is a true archaeological wonder precisely because it has a rare collection of amphorae that, according to Pari Kalamara, transported wine, oil or preserved goods. The same evidence is also given by the route taken by the ship before it ended up on the seabed.

Ms Kalamara also tells the AMNA that every sunken ship or aircraft becomes a monument after 50 years on the seabed, so warships from the two world wars are considered monuments, as are commercial or passenger ships that became a watery grave for those travelling on them.

Many of these ships are submerged at much greater depths that are prohibitive for any diver. For those again that have been designated as suitable for visiting, some underwater coordination will be necessary, starting from the underwater route and including the safety of visitors. Once underwater, one finds an archaeological treasure of amphorae, jars, pots, columns, sarcophagi and other objects, among which a special place is held by anchors. One of the most well known shipwrecks lies in Cretan waters. "La Therese" has been resting there since the 17th century. "Canons are the basic evidence of warships belonging to that time", Pari Kalamara tells the AMNA.

If one had to accurately describe the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, one would say it is a service of archaeologist scuba divers. George Koutsouflakis is one of the most experienced. He has been a diver since he was 16 and was drawn to the science of Archaeology precisely via the underwater world. "My first contact with shipwrecks was a revelation", he says to the AMNA. "A shipwreck is many things. It is a place of tragedy but also a place of memory. It is in a spot that is not friendly to human beings; if not even hostile at times. You have the sense of adventure, History and the rare opportunity of looking at something rarely seen", he adds.

Nevertheless, it was the dream of a life time to be able to visit underwater museums even as a scuba diver archaeologist himself who has dived almost all over Greece. "The wealth is incredible and to think that we have mapped only 5% of it", he says. But can there be an even greater number of well preserved shipwrecks such as that of Peristera, where the arrangement of the thousands of amphorae goes as far as revealing even that the ship was 25 metres long? "No doubt about it" he replies. "But they are most probably at much greater depths".

Meanwhile, the Peristera underwater museum is preparing to open in a few months. Till then you can visit the information centre at Alonnisos. There, you are given a pair of spectacles that take you down into the magic world of shipwrecks by a 3D representation application. This virtual diving is the first taste of a reality that soon will come about.

Source: ANA-MPA [trsl. Arts & Archaeology, October 31, 2019]

360 degree virtual dive in Iceland shipwreck

By: Thomas Schmitt Attorney on October 23, 2019 / comment : 0 Archaeology, Europe, Iceland, Northern Europe, Underwater Archaeology

October 16, 2019 marks 360 years since the Dutch merchant ship Melckmeyt (Milkmaid) was wrecked off a remote Icelandic island during a clandestine trading mission.

A scene from the virtual dive, showing the virtual diver and their dive buddy swimming over the wreck as it appears today, with areas of the wreck labelled in yellow [Credit: Flinders University]

Since its discovery in 1992 it has remained the oldest identified shipwreck in Iceland, and its lower hull has remained unusually well-preserved in Iceland's icy waters.

To mark this anniversary, digital archaeology specialists at Flinders University have collaborated with maritime archaeologists at the University of Iceland to release a 360 degree virtual dive on the wreck.

This is a highly realistic virtual experience of the wreck and includes a digital reconstruction of how the ship might have appeared on the seabed moments after it sank.

The three minute virtual dive was created for an exhibition at the Reykjavik Maritime Museum, but has now been published through YouTube and is available to anyone with a VR headset—it can also be viewed with a smartphone or tablet just by turning it around to view the scene.

A 3D scan of the shipwreck, created during 2016 and 2018 fieldwork, showing the depth of the archaeological remains [Credit: Flinders University]

The wreck at the centre of the experience is a merchant ship around 33 metres long named Melckmeyt (Milkmaid), thought to be a type of Dutch ship known as a flute.

Flutes were one of the most widely used ship types in the 17th century, a period when the Dutch ruled the seas and piracy and sea battles were a frequent occurrence. The kingdom of Denmark ruled Iceland and forbade other European nations from trading with the island.

However, in 1659 a surprise attack by the Swedish king on the Danish capital prevented any Danish supply ships from travelling to Iceland.

Sensing an opportunity, enterprising merchants in the Netherlands sent a small fleet of unlicensed ships flying under a false Danish flag to trade illegally with the Icelandic population for fish and other goods. If discovered their ships were at risk of confiscation or attack by Danish authorities.


On October 16th, the ship Melckmeyt paid the ultimate price, wrecking in a remote harbour during a sudden storm, with the death of one crew member.

The survivors took shelter above water in the highest point of wreck for the next two days. Although recorded in the Icelandic annals, this event was largely forgotten until its rediscovery in 1992 by local divers Erlendur Guðmundsson and Sævar Arnason. In 2016 PHD candidate Kevin Martin from the University of Iceland returned to the wreck site to carry out a detailed high-resolution 3-D survey with his team, including archaeologists from the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands.

"The significance of this wreck is enormous for Iceland. As it is one of the oldest known historic wrecks in this part of the world, it shines a light on a fascinating period of Icelandic history, when Denmark ruled the island and had a monopoly over trade here for a period of 200 years."

"We have also been able to directly embed a 3-D survey of the seabed with full photographic texture. In theory, a member of the public viewing this might even spot something on the wreck that we have missed during our dives on it!"

A digital reconstruction of the flute ship Melckmeyt [Credit: Flinders University]

PHD candidate in Maritime Archaeology at Flinders University, John McCarthy created the virtual dive.

"Funding from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Canberra allowed me to travel from Australia to the Netherlands to make a 3-D scan of a rare ship model from the 17th century, supporting the most authentic reconstruction of the ship possible."

"We have even based the stern painting on a real contemporary Dutch painting, Vermeer's' famous 'Milkmaid', painted just one year before the ship was wrecked."

Source: Flinders University [October 23, 2019]

New findings from the underwater archaeological research at the Antikythera shipwreck

By: Thomas Schmitt Attorney on October 18, 2019 / comment : 0 Archaeology, Europe, Greece, Southern Europe, Underwater Archaeology

In October 2019 the underwater archaeological research at the legendary Antikythera Shipwreck was re-activated and this time it was carried out by a Greek-only team, led by Dr. Angeliki Simosi, Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Euboea.

Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture

The expedition was extremely successful, despite the adverse weather conditions and the limited duration of the research, which could be characterized as a rescue one. The research operation was supported by the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation with the contribution of the ship “Typhoon”, which was kindly tasked by the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation to be used during the field operations.

The wreck site was re-identified and re-defined following the last expedition of September 2017. Five sacks of sand were recovered, which had been left on the seabed since the previous excavation period. Their content was carefully sifted by a specialized conservator of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities in the presence of two archaeologists. During this process the conservator collected bones that need to be analyzed, possible olive pits, bronze spikes from the ship and a bronze ring, whose use has not yet been identified.

Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture

Additionally, a 110x110x45cm plastic basket, filled with amphora fragments was lifted. Among the findings is an iron stem with a circular end.

An important fact is that among the amphorae bases from the island of Kos, a different type was identified, whose origin is not yet known and needs identification. From the surface of the sea bottom the team recovered three amphorae necks, two of which are of Laboglia 2 type, originating from South Italy, and one is from Kos, as well as a whole amphora from Kos with only one handle missing.

Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture

An impressive finding is a fragment of wood, probably a structural element of the ship, with four bronze spikes. All findings were transported to the conservation laboratory of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities for further processing. During the expedition, the photogrammetric mapping of the wreck site was completed.

Participants from the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities included Dr. George Koutsouflakis as a scientific responsible, Head of the Department of Underwater Archaeological Sites, Monuments and Research, Aikaterini Tagonidou, architect-diver, and Chryssa Fouseki, conservator-diver. Their contribution to the expedition’s success was invaluable and for this the Director of the project would like to thank them warmly.

Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture

Of note is the fact that the underwater archaeological research team for the first time included four divers of the Greek Coast Guard, Dimitris Stamoulis, George Lytrivis, Dimitrios Chatziaslan and Athanasios Keitzis. Expert technical divers Alexandros Sotiriou, Nikos Giannoulakis and Athanasios Chronopoulos, as well as two marine archaeologists, Orestis Manousos and Achilles Dionysopoulos also took active part in the operation.

All the research operations were filmed by videographer Michael Tsimperopoulos. The operational director of the expedition was Alexandros Palatianos, Commodore (ret’d) of the Hellenic Navy.

Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture

The Director of the project, underwater archaeologist Dr. Angeliki Simosi, dived with the team and remained on the field throughout the whole research expedition, carried out by a twenty-member team.

It is the first time that a team of this size forms and includes besides the well-trained and experienced deep divers the “Typhoon”, a three-thousand-ton special ship that provided support to the operations. This unique vessel is 72 meters long and 16 meters wide and is equipped with state-of-the-art navigational systems. Its operations platform hosts five large inflatable vessels, that can deploy as needed during the operation.

Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture

With the current scientific mission of October 2019, the first five-year research project has concluded, with the significant contribution of Minister Dr. Lina Mendoni, who supported since the very beginning the two-year effort for the resuming of the research by the project team.

Based on the results of this expedition, preparations for the new five-year research project start right away, beginning May 2020, with the continuation of the excavation at selected positions at the site of the shipwreck, where  indications exist that new impressive findings will come to light.

Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture

After the submission of the first five-year excavation report, complete publication of the results will soon follow.

Source: Return to AntiKythera [October 18, 2019]

Dig season wraps up for 'Mentor', the brig carrying Acropolis antiquities looted by Elgin

By: Thomas Schmitt Attorney on October 15, 2019 / comment : 0 Archaeology, Europe, Greece, Heritage, Southern Europe, Underwater Archaeology

Salvage work on the historic shipwreck of "Mentor" off Kythira island in southern Greece, which carried off sculpture from the Acropolis and Athens by order of British Lord Elgin, wrapped up another season recently with small finds including sections of the sail pulleys, the ministry of culture said on Tuesday.

General view of the wreck and the site of the excavation [Credit: G. Isaris]

The brig sank after crashing into rocks out of the port of Avlemon in September 1802, carrying 17 boxes of antiquities from various monuments of Athens including the Acropolis, removed by Lord Elgin and his workers, who retrieved all boxes soon after Mentor sank.

Clearing the ship's hull [Credit: G. Isaris]

View of Section 1/2019 from the west [Credit: A. Tourtas]

Photomosaic of the excavation site [Credit: G. Isaris]

This year's underwater excavations (Aug. 27-Sept. 15) included a 12-member team directed by archaeologist Dimitris Kourkoumelis of the Underwater Antiquities Department. Work focused on cleaning away the surviving section of the hull, and photos were stitched together to provide a view of the entire area and the wreck's state. Some of the ship's parts were spread over the area by the efforts of the crew to raise the boxes with the antiquities.

Intact earthen cookware after removal and cleaning [P. Vezyrtzis]

Gold ring [P. Vezyrtzis]

Pair of gold earrings [P. Vezyrtzis]

Findings included a cooking vessel, a gold ring with intricate flower depictions, a pair of gold earrings, fragments of a pair of calipers, a fragment of an ancient Rhodian amphora handle with a seal impression with the inscription "Antimachou" ("belonging to Antimachos"), three chess pieces (added to four found at previous excavation seasons), various items of bone or wood, and at least ten pulleys and accessories, some of them still preserving the sail-securing ropes.

Section of wooden compass [P. Vezyrtzis]

Wooden pulley [P. Vezyrtzis]

Removing a pulley disc to the surface [Credit: G. Isaris]

Besides archaeologists, the dig team included marine biologists, conservators, divers, technicians specializing in marine environments and craftsmen. The 2019 season was supported by the ministry of culture, the Ilios Shipping Company, and Stathis Trifyllis.

Source: ANA-MPA [October 15, 2019]