The remains of an ancient ship that was lost 2,500 years ago, near the island of Kythera in Greece, were discovered during a marine survey to determine the subsea interconnection Crete-Peloponnese. This was announced by the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO), on Thursday.
During the survey of the Aegean Sea, which took place in 2019, IPTO stumbled upon hundreds of amphoras – tall ancient Greek jars with two handles and a long neck – that led them to the sunken cargo ship.
The remains sat 728 feet below the water’s surface, between Neapolis, a small Greek town, and Kythera indicate that there was a developed trade in the area during this time period.
The ship’s deck is covered with the ancient jars that originated from Corfu, Skopelos and Chios – islands surrounding Greece.
The Hellenic Center for Marine Research’s scientists used their oceanographic ship, ‘Aegean,’ equipped with a submarine remote controlled vehicle, the MAX ROVER, in order to examine the ship and its treasures. This was done in September.
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During their 2019 survey of the Aegena sea, IPTO discovered hundreds of amphoras. These were tall ancient Greek jars with two handles that had a long neck. This led them to the sunken cargo vessel.
Using their underwater technology, the team also found clay vessels from Chios, three pithos, a set of table vessels including a flat-bottomed table amphora, as well as a fish panel and two skyphids at the shipwreck site.
Researchers are currently working on a 3-D image of the shipwreck. This will allow for a better understanding of the vessel’s size and the cargo volume.
Another ancient Greek shipwreck was discovered in 2018 at the bottom of the Black Sea and was deemed the oldest intact every to be discovered in the body of water.
The 75-foot-long Greek trading vessel was found lying whole with its mast, rudders and rowing benches after more than 2,400 years.
The remains sat 728 below the water’s surface, between Neapolis and Cythera, and indicates there may have a developed trade in the region during the time period
Using their underwater technology, the team also found clay vessels from Chios, three pithos, a set of table vessels including a flat-bottomed table amphora, as well as a fish panel and two skyphids at the shipwreck site
It was found in a well known ‘shipwreck graveyard’ that has already revealed over 60 other vessels.
During the most recent exploration in late 2017, the team discovered what has now been confirmed as the world’s ‘oldest intact shipwreck’ – a Greek trading vessel design previously only seen on the side of ancient Greek pottery such as the ‘Siren Vase’ in the British Museum.
The ship, found 1.3 miles under the surface, could shed new light on the ancient Greek tale of Odysseus tying himself to a mast to avoid being tempted by sirens.
Prior to this discovery, ancient ships had only been found in fragments with the oldest more than 3,000 years old.
Another shipwreck from ancient Greece was found at the bottom the Black Sea in 2018. It was deemed to be the oldest intact wreck ever to be found in the body. After more than 2,400 years, the 75-foot-long Greek trading vessel was found intact with its mast, rudders, and rowing benches.
The Black Sea Maritime Archaeological Project team stated that the find also showed how far ancient Greek traders could travel from the shore.
Jon Adams, the project’s chief scientist, told The Times the ship probably sank in a storm, with the crew unable to bail water in time to save it.
It was chiefly used for trading but Adams believes it may have been involved in ‘a little bit of raiding’ of coastal cities.
According to the scientist the ship was probably built at one of the ancient Greek settlements along the Bulgarian coast.