The Fournoi Islands, located in the eastern Aegean near Ikaria, are reknown for the high number of ancient shipwrecks discovered in their surrounding waters - more than in any other area of the Aegean Sea. These small islands have become a major archaeological hotspot and one of the most significant sites for underwater archaeological research. Since 2015, when the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities launched an ambitious project to document Fournoi’s underwater cultural heritage, more than 60 shipwrecks have been discovered. (Cover photo: Amphorae from “Shipwreck 15” at Fournoi, Stefanos Kondos, The Fournoi Project)

The archipelago of Fournoi (or Fourni, ancient Korseai), consists of 20 islands, islets and rocky outcrops, with a coastline stretching over 120 km. It is located in the Eastern Aegean, south of Samos and Ikaria (Photo: visitgreece.gr)

The shipwrecks discovered around Fournoi span a broad historical timeline, from the Archaic to the Roman era. They carried cargo from various regions of the Mediterranean, providing valuable insights into ancient seafaring and trade networks. These ships transported a range of goods, including wine, olive oil, fish sauce, and other commodities.

Underwater Archaeological Research at Fournoi. Archaeological research at Fournoi is ongoing, aiming to further study and document the shipwrecks. The project is led by the Fournoi (Korseai) Institute for Historical and Archaeological Research, in collaboration with the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture, the University of Thessaly, and the RPM Nautical Foundation. Plans are also underway to establish underwater archaeological parks in Fournoi, making the site accessible to the general public. (Photos: The Fournoi Project)

 “The unprecedented concentration of shipwrecks in a single region – combined with their dispersion across all depth zones and the diversity of their cargoes - make the Fournoi Archipelago an ideal field for training students in the techniques and methodology of underwater archaeology” (Photos: Ministry of Culture, Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities)

Presenting the results of the decade-long underwater research in Fournoi, as well as plans for the creation of a museum and underwater archaeological parks, Giorgos Koutsouflakis, Assistant Professor of Underwater Archaeology at the University of Thessaly and one of the general directors of the Fournoi Research Project (alongside Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities archaeologist Dionysios Evangelistis), noted: "Wherever we dived, there were ancient shipwrecks, ceramic deposits, or anchors linked to ancient seafaring. I’ve worked in many places in the Aegean, but the wealth of findings we first encountered in Fournoi in 2015 — we’ve never seen anything like it anywhere else". He added: “The project had a difficult start, but with the help of the local community and sponge divers from Kalymnos, the number of discovered shipwrecks began to grow. Today, the oldest dates to 570–550 BC, and the most recent to the early 20^th century, with the greatest concentration of shipwrecks found from the Roman and Late Roman periods (4^th–7^th  century AD), from which 32 shipwrecks have been documented”.

Of particular interest is the oldest shipwreck, “Shipwreck 13” (6^th century BC), which contained many Samian amphorae. Also noteworthy is “Shipwreck 7” (4^th century BC), believed to have originated from Chios, as well as the slightly later “Shipwreck 27” (3^rd century BC), whose amphorae suggest a more international trade network, with links to regions such as Rhodes, Kos, Knidos, and Campania. Equally important are the hundreds of individual artifacts discovered, including 2^nd century AD oil lamps bearing the inscriptions of the lamp-makers Lucius and Octavius. (Source: kathimerini.gr, culture.gov.gr)

Diver at "Shipwreck 15," from which 31% of the artifacts from the seabed of Fournoi originate (Photo: Stefanos Kondos, The Fournoi Project)

In 2021, Koutsouflakis and his colleagues focused their efforts on a shipwreck from the early Byzantine Period, dated between 480 and 520 AD – a site they have continued to study ever since.  The wreck most likely dates to the reign of Emperor Anastasius I (491–518 AD), of the Leonid dynasty, known from historical sources for his tax and monetary reforms, which strengthened the state treasury and enabled expansionist policies. The ship likely measured no more than 15 meters in length and carried up to 20 tons of cargo and reached the seabed as a single unit. This shipwreck, designated “Shipwreck 15,” was chosen for its remarkable diverse cargo. It includes eight different types of amphorae originating from Crimea, Sinope, Heraclea Pontica in the Black Sea, and the Aegean, while of the ceramic loads—tableware—was produced in Phocaea, in northwestern Asia Minor. Located in the windy Aspros Kavos area, the site presents several challenges. The wreck lies at a depth of 40–50 meters, on a steep sandy seabed near cliffs, making it accessible only by boat. This year, a team of 25 divers participated in the research, representing a range of specialties — archaeologists, architects, conservators, professional divers, photographers, filmmakers, and both undergraduate and postgraduate students. (Source: kathimerini.gr, culture.gov.gr)

The National Museum of Underwater Antiquities in Piraeus is set to open its doors to visitors in 2026. More than 2,500 artifacts will be on display, accompanied by a wide array of technological applications, fully equipped conservation laboratories, and state-of-the-art storage facilities. The Museum will showcase the treasures of the Greek seas and serve as a landmark cultural institution for the country’s largest port. It is currently the largest cultural development project underway in Greece. (Photorealistic depiction, Source: Ministry of Culture)

Fournoi is not a single island, but a group of small islands, of which only two - Fournoi and Thymaina - are inhabited. This archipelago, far from the crowds, offers visitors a journey back in time—a chance to experience the charm of old Greece up close. The islands are steeped in history, with ancient remains scattered throughout the landscape. (Source: visitgreece.gr)

Known as islands of fishermen and beekeepers, Fournoi provides visitors with all the basic comforts. However, the primary livelihood of the locals is not tied to the land, but to the sea. The island boasts a large fishing fleet—remarkably large for its size—and has become one of the most important fishing centers in the Aegean. As a result, it is a paradise for seafood lovers, offering unique opportunities to enjoy top-quality, freshly caught fish. (Source: visitgreece.gr)

General view of the Fournoi Archipelago. In antiquity, the Fournoi were known as the Korasian Islands. The group’s varied coastline, with its secluded beaches and numerous bays, is unique in the Aegean. This topography made it an ideal base for both Greek and foreign pirates from the early Byzantine period through the Middle Ages. As a result, the islands were often deserted and came to be known as the “Islands of the Koursaros” (corsairs). (Source: visitikaria.gr)

Because many species of aromatic plants - such as thyme, savory, sage, heather, schinos, wild cumin, olives, fennel and mandrake - grow on the Fournoi islets, they are included in the European Union’s "Natura 2000" programme. The Mediterranean Monk Seal (monachus monachus), along with various species of dolphins. Also inhabit the area. The archipelago is additionally classified as one of Greece’s Important Bird Areas (IBA), serving as a breeding site for many rare bird species and a critical stopover for migratory birds.  (Source: visitikaria.gr)

Among the most treasured secrets of Fournoi are the secluded beaches—pristine sanctuaries that offer tranquility and the untouched beauty of nature. Far from the noise of popular tourist destinations, these hidden gems invite visitors to savor the serenity of the landscape, making each visit truly special.

Unique among the beaches of Fournoi, Petrokopio offers the chance to swim through history. Ancient marble ruins scattered along the shore serve as a reminder of the island’s historic past, making every visit a journey through time. Once an ancient quarry, its marble was highly sought after by many civilizations, adding historical significance to this one-of-a-kind beach. (Source: explorefourni.gr)

Vlychada Beach enchants visitors with its small pebbles and natural shade, thanks to the scattered trees lining the shore. It is ideal for those seeking a quiet retreat, where the only sounds are the gentle lapping of the waves and the rustling of leaves. (Source: explorefourni.gr)

Agia Triada Beach is famous for its fine sand and exceptionally peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for those seeking relaxation away from the noise. A few trees along the shoreline provide welcome shade, enhancing the overall experience of tranquility and natural beauty. (Source: explorefourni.gr)

Read also:

Byzantine shipwreck in Fournoi archipelago reveals its secrets

Peristera: Greece’s first underwater museum

Four shipwrecks to become underwater museums

Ancient shipwrecks discovered off Kasos

Pavlopetri: The Oldest Submerged City in the World

“Fiscardo wreck” in Kefalonia: The largest Roman shipwreck in the eastern Mediterranean

Secret treasures of Greece – Sapientza

Underwater excavation at the historic Mentor wreck site (Kythera, 1802)

National Marine Park of Alonissos, a gem of biodiversity

I.A.

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For the first time, more than 80 objects from the Antikythera Shipwreck are exhibited at the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation in Athens, in the most complete temporary exhibition to date, presenting the results of the latest research, from 2012 until today, and providing fascinating information about the ship, its equipment, cargo and occupants.

The shipwreck of Antikythera, with its famous Mechanism and rich cargo, was discovered almost 124 years ago. The Antikythera Mechanism, widely believed to be the world’s first computer, was among wreckage retrieved from a shipwreck off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera on May 17, 1901. A year later, it was identified by Greek archaeologist Valerios Stais as containing a gear. Since then, the Mechanism has had a lasting impact on scientists and thinkers across the world.

For the first time ever, over 80 artifacts from the Antikythera Shipwreck are on display at the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation in the most comprehensive temporary exhibition to date. This exhibition showcases the results of modern research conducted from 2012 up to the most recent discoveries of 2024. Visitors will gain insight into the ship, its equipment, cargo, and the people who were on board.

Among the exhibited artifacts are bronze rings used for sail management, lead rings that released the ship’s five anchors, and remnants of the vessel’s wooden hull. These objects provide crucial new information about the ship’s rigging, presented for the first time after 12 years of excavation. The exhibition also features spears, amphorae, metal and glass objects, jewelry, and an extensive collection of ceramics, revealing details about the ship’s cargo and its journey, which included stops at major ports of the era such as Kos and Rhodes.

A particular highlight of the exhibition is the collection of large fragments from marble and bronze statues. One standout piece is a marble head of Hercules adorned with a vine wreath, believed to be part of a headless Hercules statue of the Farnese type, currently housed in the National Archaeological Museum. This statue was recovered in 1901 by Symian sponge divers.

Additionally, human bone fragments are displayed, shedding light on the people who were aboard the ship. Other objects, including pipe fragments, pillars, and olive pits, provide glimpses into life during the voyage.

Titled "The Antikythera Shipwreck: 124 Years of Underwater Archaeological Research," the exhibition is arranged in sections on the ground floor of the Historical Library at the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation. The first room displays parts of the ship and its rigging, while the lobby of the main hall focuses on the shipwreck’s occupants and daily life on board. The main exhibition hall showcases artifacts from the ship’s cargo.

The exhibition is organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities and is curated by esteemed archaeologist Angeliki G. Simosi.

A fully illustrated color catalogue accompanies the exhibition, and guided tours will be available throughout its duration. In addition, to engage young visitors, the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation has developed an educational workshop, "A Dive into History," inspired by the completion of the subsidized program "From the Aegean to the Ionian: A Sea of Knowledge."

As part of the exhibition, the Foundation has also collaborated with the Karpos team to create an interactive educational workshop titled "A Dive into Maritime Archaeology: An Interactive Story Game in the Greek Seas," designed for children aged 10–14. Participants will tour the exhibition and engage in group activities using digital and audiovisual tools to explore the concepts and methods of maritime archaeology. Through hands-on exercises in observation and photography, they will discover fascinating shipwrecks and learn how archaeologists uncover long-lost treasures.

The Antikythera Shipwreck, with its legendary Mechanism and its wealth of artifacts, became a submerged “monument” to cultural heritage 124 years ago. Its discovery marked the beginning of underwater archaeology in Greece. As research continues, new findings promise to captivate and inspire us.

I.L. with info from Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation

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A team of Swiss and Greek archaeologists recently successfully completed the third season of a research program (2021-2025) on the famous wreck of Antikythera, which dates back to the first half of the 1st century BC.

The Antikythera wreck

The Antikythera wreck, discovered by chance by sponge divers in 1900 off the coast of the island of Antikythera, is the most important ancient wreck found in Greece, having yielded many ancient works of art. Some of the most prominent finds, retrieved by the sponge divers, in collaboration with the Hellenic Navy and the Ministry of Education, include the statues of the Antikythera Ephebe and the "Philosopher", as well as the famous Antikythera mechanism, considered to be the oldest analog computer in human history.

Excavations at the site didn’t resume until the mid-70s, under the renowned naval officer and explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, at the invitation of the Greek government. A first scientific study with an archaeological approach was carried out between 2012 and 2019 by an international team under the direction of Angeliki Simosi, at the time director of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities.

Greek-Swiss collaboration

Since 2021, at the invitation of the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Department of Classical Archaeology of the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has assumed co-direction of the underwater research project, along with the Ephorate of Antiquities of Evia, under the auspices of the Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece (ESAG).

The project’s main objective is to gain a clearer understanding of the ship, its itinerary and the current state of the wreck, with the help of state-of-the-art techniques. The ESAG is the only permanent Swiss archaeological mission outside Switzerland. As an inter-university training and research center, ESAG encourages the next generation of academics, offering students from Swiss universities the opportunity to take part in field and museum activities every year.

A second wreck revealed

In 2023, researchers have made significant progress in acquiring detailed knowledge of the site's structure, geology, the wreck itself and its precious cargo. Excavations focused on the area at the eastern edge of the wreck site, where last year parts of monumental marble statues were found after the removal of a group of large boulders. This time, the team discovered the bone remains of at least one individual, a victim of the shipwreck.

Artefacts characteristic of the Antikythera wreck, such as lead and wood from the ship's structure, fragments of marble statues, pottery, glassware and items made of copper alloy, were also unearthed. Among the marble fragments discovered, one most likely belongs to the beard of the head of Heracles, previously discovered during the 2022 expedition. These finds confirm the cultural and artistic importance of the Antikythera wreck.

Another exciting discovery, made at a higher stratigraphic level, was that of several fragments of ceramics, indicating that another vessel, probably much smaller, suffered the same ill fate in early Byzantine times.

A five-year research program (2021-2025)

This year's expedition, which took place from May 19 to June 18, 2023, is part of a five-year research program (2021-2025) coordinated by the University of Geneva under the auspices of the Swiss Archaeological School in Greece. Using cutting-edge techniques, this research has provided precious information on the history of this legendary wreck.

An international team of archaeologists, divers, engineers and physical and natural scientists, led by Dr. Angeliki G. Simosi, Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and the Islands, and Professor of Archaeology Lorenz Baumer (UNIGE), is currently excavating the famous wreck. Underwater operations are supervised by the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, while the project is under the official patronage of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mrs. Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

This year, previously unexplored areas were meticulously documented, enabling a more transparent and accurate understanding of this legendary vessel. This season's discoveries are essential to formulating a comprehensive vision of this historical event.

Cutting-edge technologies

The progress of the excavations was meticulously documented using remote-controlled drones and digital recording by the divers. This data was processed daily using 3D modeling software, enabling the site to be visualized and analyzed with remarkable precision. In addition, all archaeological discoveries were rigorously documented and continuously integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS), enabling analysis of the spatial and temporal distribution of finds.

The database for this ambitious project includes all known data on the wreck of Antikythera, dating back to the first excavations carried out in 1900-1901. This holistic approach enables an in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the site, taking into account all previously collected information.

This year's new discoveries open up exciting perspectives on the maritime history of the region, and underline the importance of continuing archaeological research in this area.

The research team

The operation was coordinated by vice admiral (ret.) Alexandros Palatianos. Field research was led by Alexandros Sotiriou, research associate at the University of Geneva, with a team comprising Orestes Manousos, Isaac Ogloblin (University of Haifa) and specialized divers. The team was completed with the participation of eight members of the underwater missions unit (specialized diving team) of the Hellenic Coast Guard.

Documentation of the archaeological finds, creation of the 3D models and updating of the GIS were entrusted to Patrizia Birchler Emery and Timothy Pönitz (UNIGE), while the field laboratory was organized by Isaac Ogloblin (University of Haifa), with the participation of Professors Maria Louloudi and Yiannis Deligiannakis (University of Ioannina) and the support of Yanis Bitsakis (UNIGE and Nereus Research Foundation). Geologist Charalampos Fassoulas (Natural History Museum of Crete) joined the team in Antikythera to discuss geological topics related to the shipwreck site. Technical support (audiovisual documentation and underwater drones) was provided by Hublot Xplorations team members Mathias Buttet, Michel Blumenthal, Aloïs Aebischer, Guillaume Champain and Diego Carven. Architect-diver Aikaterini Tagonidou and Athena Patsourou supervised all field activities on behalf of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sport's Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities.

Read also via Greek News Agenda: Unraveling the Mysteries of the "Oldest Computer" of Mankind; Underwater excavation at the historic Mentor wreck site (Kythera, 1802); Byzantine shipwreck in Fournoi archipelago reveals its secrets; Peristera: Greece’s first underwater museum

Translated from the original article which appeared on GrèceHebdo (intro image: Underwater excavation work at the site, by GoPro Cam ©ESAG-UNIGE)

The post New archaeological discoveries on the Antikythera wreck appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

Pavlopetri, off the coast of Laconia in south-eastern Peloponnese, is a submerged prehistoric town, which consists of intact building foundations, courtyards, streets, graves, and rock-cut tombs. It is the oldest complete town ever found underwater; the settlement contains both Neolithic and Bronze Age material and the town is believed to have flourished in the period between 3000 and 1000 years BC.

The settlement was situated on an isthmus linking the island of Elafonisos with the mainland (now Pounta Beach); a combination of earthquakes and sea-level rise caused it to sink, which has in fact contributed to the site’s conservation over the following 3000 to 4000 years. In 1967 Nic Flemming of the Institute of Oceanography, University of Southampton, discovered submerged ruins on the sea floor, and has since helped organise several archaeological projects .

In 1968 a team from the University of Cambridge surveyed the remains over six weeks using a fixed grid system and hand tapes. They produced a plan of a prehistoric town, thought to be Mycenaean, covering an area of about 300m by 150m, lying in one to four metres of water. At least fifteen separate buildings (consisting of a series of rooms), courtyards, streets, two chamber tombs and at least thirty-seven cist graves were identified. The underwater site was seen to continue southward on Pavlopetri island on top of which the remains of walls and archaeological material were still visible.

The 1968 project recovered a small amount of surface finds from the seabed (mainly pottery but also obsidian and chert blades and a bronze figurine) which suggested a date range from the Early to the Late Bronze Age (c. 2800-1180 BC). On comparison with other known archaeological sites, however, the submerged buildings at Pavlopetri were thought to date mainly from the Mycenaean period (1650-1180 BC) though this could not be confirmed from survey evidence alone.

In 2009 the University of Nottingham, through a British School at Athens permit, began a five-year collaborative project with the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.) to outline the history and development of the submerged town, its importance in terms of maritime control over the Laconian gulf and the reasons for its sinking.

The research consisted of detailed underwater survey of the structural remains (using a robotic total station and sector-scan sonar technology) alongside sampling of the artefactual material across the site. Working with experts in acoustic sonar and the latest digital survey techniques Dr Jon Henderson from the Department of Archaeology at Nottingham has been able to record the entire city, which covers over 80,000 square metres. Using an advanced stereo-mapping robot, developed by the Australian Centre of Field Robotics at Sydney University, the entire city was recorded to a resolution of a few centimetres.

Aspect of a virtual reconstruction of the settlement's possible original layout (ANA-MPA/BRITISH SCHOOL OF ATHENS/STR)

In addition to the digital recording of the 30,000 square metres of previously known buildings, over 9000 square metres of new buildings were discovered in 2009 including a large rectangular hall and a street lined with buildings. The ceramics recovered confirm the Mycenaean occupation of the site but also reveal occupation as early as 3500 BC making Pavlopetri, at over 5000 years old, the oldest known submerged town in the world.

The Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports has proposed a plan, recently approved by the Central Archaeological Council, introducing underwater routes for swimmers over the submerged prehistoric settlement. The plan’s novelty is that it links the archaeological site’s enhancement to the protection and enhancement of the important wetlands on a single eco-archaeological route.

Sources:

Lecture - Pavlopetri: The Oldest Submerged City in the World, April 2016 (video)

University of Nottingham: "Pavlopetri underwater archaeological project" official site

"The Pavlopetri Underwater Archaeology Project: investigating an ancient submerged town" at Academia.edu

N.M.

Read also via Greek News Agenda: Underwater excavation at the historic Mentor wreck site (Kythera, 1802); “Fiscardo wreck” in Kefalonia: The largest Roman shipwreck in the eastern Mediterranean; The ancient city of Oeniadae; Four shipwrecks to become underwater museums

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Chief Archeologist Dr. Dimitris Kourkoumelis spoke to Greek News Agenda* about the historic wreck of “Mentor”, the brig belonging to Lord Elgin that sank off Kythera Island in 1802, carrying antiquities from the Acropolis to the United Kingdom. He talks about the onsite underwater exploration work of the Ephorate for Underwater Antiquities from 2011-2019, bringing into light precious information about the vessel’s construction, as well as items belonging to passengers.

Dimitris Kourkoumelis holds a PhD from the University of Aix-en-Provence (France - 1988) focusing on the trade, economy and transport amphorae of ancient Corfu. An expert underwater archaeologist, he has been working since 1999 with the Ephorate (Department) of Underwater Antiquities of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, and since 2018 leads the work of Northern Greece Section of the Department. From 2000 - 2011 he taught Maritime Archaeology at the Department of History, Archeology and Social Anthropology of the University of Thessaly. Since 1975, he has been working on land excavations in Crete and Corfu, as well as in underwater archaeological excavations by the Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology at the Dokos and Iria prehistoric wrecks. He directed (1993-2001) the underwater exploration of the 4th century B.C. shipwreck at Kythera by the Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology, as well as that at the ancient harbor of Kythnos (Cyclades) (2005-2011) as co-director, along with Professor Al. Mazarakis-Ainian. Since 2011, he heads underwater excavation and research of the historical MENTOR (1802) shipwreck at Kythera and has been co-directing the excavation at the ancient harbor of Lechaion (Corinth) (2013-2018) as co-director, along with Dr. Bjorn Loven. He has participated in a number of archaeological symposia and conferences and published papers on the transport of amphorae, ancient trade and economy as well as the results of his excavations. In 2019 he was official evaluator of the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.

Historical context

The remains of the Mentor hull

In September 1802 the brig "MENTOR" sank near the port of Avlaimonas at the Agios Nikolaos bay, on the southeast of Kythera island. The vessel, owned by Earl Elgin (Tomas Bruce 7th Earl of Elgin & 11th Earl of Kincardine) had sailed two days earlier from the port of Piraeus after circumnavigating the Eastern Mediterranean (the ship had reportedly passed from Alexandria, Smyrna, and other ports, before anchoring in Piraeus), under the command of Captain William H. Eglen, with the intention of transporting to England via Malta part of the antiquities removed earlier from various monuments of the Acropolis and Athens by Lord Elgin’s team, including the Parthenon.

Golden ring from the wreck

According to the official bill of lading, seventeen trunks holding antiquities were loaded onto the ship. There were at least 12 people on board, six of whom were crew members and six were passengers. The crew consisted of Captain William H. Eglen, accountant or freeman John Macpharlan (or Macfarlan), navigator Manolis Constantine Malis, and three sailors: John Wigton, Ross (surname only known), and a third whose name was not preserved and allegedly came from Gibraltar. Accompanying the cargo on board as passengers were Lord Elgin's secretary William Richard Hamilton, topographer-archaeologist, Captain William Leake, artillery captain, Lieutenant John Squire, as well as three other men listed as servants to the above passengers.

Ancient Rhodian transport amphorae stamped handle

The ship set sail on 17 September 1802 from the port of Piraeus for Malta, sailing the next day around Kythera from the south towards Cape Tenaro. There it met with strong west-northwesterly winds, and according to the captain’s testimony, drifted about 40 nautical miles south of the Cape. At the same time, it appeared there was a leak, so the decision was made to head back to Kythera in order to reach the bay of Agios Nikolaos, wait for the weather to change and repair the damage.

The bay is a well-known natural anchorage protected from winds (with the exception of those from the south and southeast) according to both nautical and portolan charts. While attempting to anchor at the entrance of the small port of Avlaimonas, the ship hit rocks on the right side of the bow and sank almost immediately into a depth of some 22 meters. All aboard (passengers and crew) were rescued and cared for by both locals and crew of the "Anikitos", sailing under the Austrian flag and anchored there at the time. The shipwrecked was given considerable assistance by the British vice-consul in Kythira Em. Kaloudis, who also led investigations into the incident and issued new passports and documents for all.

Wooden chess pawns

When Hamilton informed Lord Elgin about the incident, he was immediately ordered to remain in Kythera for as long as it took to retrieve the cargo of antiquities. A team of sponge divers active in the area at that time were hired to carry out the retrieval, for which purpose a large section of the ship had to be destroyed so as to allow internal access. In the course of the operation, much of the ship's equipment (auxiliary boats, sails, ropes, cannons, personal belongings, etc.) was also rescued.

On 24 October 1804, two years after the shipwreck, Giovanni Battista Lusieri, an Italian landscape artist and one of Lord Elgin's trustees, notes in his letter upon the completion of the operation: “I have the satisfaction to inform you that at last all the marbles at Cerigo have been recovered, and we have good reason to rejoice, for they all deserve to be jealously guarded…”.The transportation of the recovered boxes containing sculptures and other objects, by order of Admiral Nelson, was carried out on 16 February 1805 by the British-flagged "Lady Shaw Stewart", commanded by Captain George Parry, and the schooner «Reynard».

History of excavations

The shipwreck area

Following this incident, the various excavations conducted periodically are almost all related to underlying rumors that “marbles” lie still at the site of the shipwreck. Since the end of the 19th century, various on-site inspections or explorations have been conducted in order to examine the area of the shipwreck with the hope of uncovering some fragments of the antiquities from the ship's cargo.

Of particular interest is research that was conducted in 1875, when Kalymnian divers reported seeing “marbles” in the shipwreck area. The then President of the Archaeological Society and Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs and Public Education Stef. Koumanoudis ordered P. Stamatakis, then Ephore of Antiquities of the Peloponnese, to conduct an exploration of the area, which was carried out with the assistance of the Kalymnian divers, however, no antiquities were found. This was most likely the first underwater research in the presence of archaeologists in Greece.

Collecting finds from the 2019 trench

About 100 years later, in November 1976, during an archaeological expedition under Commander Jacques-Yves Cousteau at the Antikythera wreck site, with the participation of Ministry of Culture archaeologist L. Kolonas, the team went to Avlaimonas and located the Mentor shipwreck. However, because the interest of that mission was focused on the ancient shipwreck of Antikythera, no exploration or diving was carried out. In July 1980, the Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology conducted small-scale and short-term underwater archaeological research and excavation on site. A section of the ship's hull was examined and various objects were retrieved, mainly personal items belonging to crew and passengers.

This was, in essence, the first systematic investigation of the wreck. In 1984, the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities once again explored the site, following speculation that there are still “marbles” in the area, most notably in No.17 trunk with antiquities, which, hypothetically, has been lost or never retrieved. In the course of the investigation, various findings were collected from the site, but nothing connected to the valuable cargo of the ship has been discovered.

In 2007, the wreck site was declared an underwater archaeological site by the Ministry of Culture and protected by Greek Archaeological Legislation. Again, in 2009, a few days before the inauguration of the New Acropolis Museum, there was speculation again that there were marbles still lying at sea.

The 2019 excavated trench

The Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities conducted a second survey over a few days. Various stone specimens were retrieved from the shipwreck for examination, as well as various scattered objects, including some shale slabs with fossils of fish and plants. Again, during this brief investigation, no marbles or antiquities were found. Finally, from 2011 to 2019 (excluding the years 2014 and 2016), the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities conducted underwater archaeological investigation and excavation at the wreck site. The Ephorate’s research and rescue operations aimed to assess the state and conservation of the ship (2011, 2012, 2013) and then collect data on the existence of findings and objects on site (2015, 2017 and 2018). From the findings of previous years and especially of the trench excavated in 2019, it was found that further systematic research of the shipwreck could provide valuable data, both for the construction and equipment of the ship, as well as its passengers and the conditions of living onboard.

This investigation of the Mentor shipwreck and its continuation will better frame the historical event and provide a more complete picture of the grave phenomenon of the removal of archaeological treasures and their export abroad in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Golden earrings

Of course, one of the most important features of the wreck is this particular connection to the owner’s history of taking hold of antiquities. Although we know from historical facts that the trunks carrying Acropolis architectural sculptures were hauled out of sea, ending up in the UK, there is evidence of secondary collections of antiquities (ancient coins, commercial amphorae stamped handles, etc.) on board, either as part of Elgin's collection or as smaller collections of his collaborators.

Wooden pulley with rope

Scientific Team

For the 2019 project, the team was Dr. Dimitris Kourkoumelis, Dr. Alexandros Tourtas, Dr. Elpida Karadimou, Dr. Yannis Issaris, Dr. Stavroula Vrachionidou, Maria Fotiadi, Dimitris Dimitriou, Aristidis Michail, Chrysa Fouseki, Irene Malliou, Spyros Moureas, Emmanouil Kourkoumelis, Manolis Tzefronis, Petros Vezyrtzis

The research budget is covered both by private donations mainly by Kythirians from Australia and institutions such as the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and the Latsis Foundation, private sponsors including S. Trifillis, P. Maneas, Ilios Shipping S.A., etc., as well as the Ministry of Culture and Sport/Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities. 

Diver excavating the hull

Publications

Κουρκουμέλης, Δ. & Τούρτας, Α. (2018). “Το ναυάγιο Μέντωρ” στο Α. Σίμωσι (επιμ.), Βουτιά στα Περασμένα. Η υποβρύχια αρχαιολογική έρευνα, 1976-2014, Αθήνα, 6 Μαρτίου 2015, Αθήνα: ΤΑΠΑ, 191-204.

Kourkoumelis, D. (2015). “Recent Underwater Research at the Brig Mentor Sunken at Kythera (1802) στο200Years the Parthenon Marbles in the British Museum. New Contributions to the Issue. Athens: The Society of Friends of the Acropolis, 82-89.

Kourkoumelis, D. & Tourtas, A. (2014). “Excavations on the Mentor Shipwreck”, The Newsletter of the Nautical Archaeological Society. Summer 2014, Portsmouth: NAS, 6-7.

Κουρκουμέλης Δ. 2015, «Πρόσφατες υποβρύχιες έρευνες στο ναυάγιο «ΜΕΝΤΩΡ» (1802) στα Κύθηρα», στο Ενημερωτικό Δελτίο ΑΝΘΕΜΙΟΝ της Ένωσης Φίλων Ακρόπολης «1816-2016. 200 χρόνια τα Μάρμαρα του Παρθενώνα στο Βρετανικό Μουσείο», Τεύχος 26, σελ. 25-30

Κουρκουμέλης, Δ. & Τούρτας, Α. (2018), Οι υποβρύχιες αρχαιολογικές έρευνες (2009-2018) στο ναυάγιο ΜΕΝΤΩΡ (1802) στα Κύθηρα, Πρακτικά ΙΑ Πανιονίου Συνεδρίου, Κεφαλληνία 2018 (υπό έκδοση 2020).

Recovering finds from the shipwreck site

General literature on the shipwreck and research area

Κουρκουμέλης Δ. 2011, «Οι θαλασσινοί ορίζοντες του Αγίου Γεωργίου στο Βουνό», στο Γιάννης Σακελλαράκης, Κύθηρα. Το Μινωικό Ιερό Κορυφής στον Άγιο Γεώργιο στο Βουνό. 1. Τα προανασκαφικά και η ανασκαφή, Βιβλιοθήκη της εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας, αρ. 271, Αθήνα, σελ. 75-111

Λιανός Ν. 1983, «Έρευνα στο Ναυάγιο «Μέντωρ»», Περιοδικό Αρχαιολογία 8, σελ. 24-28.

Μιλιαράκης Α. 1888, «Περί των Ελγινείων Μαρμάρων», Εστία 26, σελ. 681-685 & 697-700 & 713-718 & 745-747 & 767-772 & 777-780 & 793-799.

Σακελλαράκης Γ. 2013, Κύθηρα. Ο Άγιος Γεώργιος στο Βουνό. Μινωική λατρεία. Νεότεροι χρόνοι, Βιβλιοθήκη της εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας αρ. 287, Αθήναι, σελ. 195-230.

Στάθης Σ. 1923, «Τα κυθηραϊκά χρονικά του ιερέως Γρηγορίου Λογοθέτη», Κυθηραϊκή Επιθεώρησις, αριθ. 357.

Hunt Ph., Smith A. H. 1916, «Lord Elgin and His Collection», The Journal of Hellenic Studies, Vol. 36, σελ. 163-372.

Leontsinis G. 2010, The Wreck of the Mentor on the Coast of the Island of Kythera and the Operation to Retrieve, Salvage and Transport the Parthenon Sculptures to London (1802-1805).

Throckmorton P. 1969, Shipwrecks and Archaeology: The Unharvested Sea. AtlanticMonthlyPressBook, Toronto, σελ. 164-168.

*Interview by Mariana Varvarrigou

All site and excavation photos from Yannis Issaris (© MCS/EUA/MeSEP)

All finds photos from Petros Vezyrtzis (© MCS/EUA/MeSEP)

The post Underwater excavation at the historic Mentor wreck site (Kythera, 1802) appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

Talking to Greek News Agenda, the director of the Hellenic Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities Ms Pari Kalamara announced that four shipwrecks in the Pagasetic gulf which date back to Classical and Byzantine times are set to become underwater museums, noting that this is “a small but essential step towards the opening of sea archaeological sites…”

Focusing on the positive aspects of the initiative, Ms Kalamara said that:

• It leads to the development of a form of alternative tourism, with all the positive economic consequences implied for the local economy and society.

• It highlights the cultural heritage and nautical history of our country, and will contribute to the better protection of marine monuments of Greece.

The underwater museums are realized in the framework of the BLUEMED European project, an initiative offering a shared strategic framework for working towards a healthy, productive and resilient Mediterranean Sea that is better known and valued. It is designed to tap the full potential of the marine and maritime sectors, structuring transnational cooperation to create new ‘blue’ jobs and to promote and improve social well being, sustainable prosperity and the environmental status of the region and its surroundings.

Visitors at the shipwreck of Peristera on its “open to public” weekend (6-7 April) ©Ministry of Culture and Sports- Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, photo by G. Issaris

The sites that will be accessible for visitors are: the wreck on the island of Peristera near Alonissos (5th century BC); the Byzantine wreck on the islet of Kikinthos (dating back to the 9th - 13th century); the shipwreck at Akra Glaros (Byzantine period) and the wreck at Telegraphos (4th century AD). Diving to a depth of up to 40 metres under the sea will be allowed in all underwater museums and visitors will be accompanied by divers and archaeologists. For those who do not wish to dive, they can visit the shipwrecks by boarding special boats. According to the information kindly provided to GNA by Dr Kalamara, which will also be available on the BLUEMED project website, the shipwrecks have the following characteristics:

Alonissos –Peristera

Peristera is an islet near Alonissos in the North Sporades, a cluster of islands in Greece on the central Aegean Sea.

The shipwreck was located at the north of Kokkalia bay near the west rocky coast of Peristera. It was discovered by the fisherman and inhabitant of the island Dimitris Maurikis, and brought to the attention of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities in 1985. The shipwreck was excavated by Dr Elpida Hadjidaki, archaeologist and Head of the Ephorate, during 1992-1993, 1999, 2000-2001.

Orthophotomosaic of the shipwreck of Peristera ©Ministry of Culture and Sports- Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, photo by Matteo Collina Univerità della Calabria –DIMEG

This large wooden merchant ship dates to the last quarter of the 5th century BC,on the basis of the artifacts and the transport amphorae recovered. This merchant ship of the classical period is considered to be one of the largest of that era and at the same time evidence of the importance of trade in the classical period. It is estimated that it was able to carry three to four thousand amphorae, which were one of the main trade products in antiquity. The cargo was mainly composed of transport amphorae (ceramic vessels used for the transportation and storage of foodstuffs), mostly the so called “Mendean” type transport amphorae, as well as the “Peparithian” type [probably produced in ancient Peparithos, now Skopelos]. Wine and oil were two of the chief products transported in ancient times, especially with transport amphorae, as well as other products such as pottery, grain, wood, etc. These precious products probably constituted the main cargo of the ship.

Kikinthos –West Pagasetic gulf

The islet of Kikinthos is a natural breakwater, lying at the east of Amaliapolis bay, on the west side of the Pagasetic gulf. In antiquity, Kikinthos was used as quarantine (like Spinalonga in Crete) for the seamen returning to Amaliapolis from their voyages. They stayed on Kikinthos for a month and if they survived they returned to their homes. The rest who didn’t make it were buried on the islet.

The shipwreck was located in the course of underwater survey conducted in 2005 at the northwestern end of Kikinthos islet, under the auspices of Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology and the direction of marine archaeologist Elias Spondylis.

Kikinthos –West Pagasetic gulf, fragments of pithoi ©Ministry of Culture and Sports- Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities

The remnants of a Byzantine shipwreck cargo of mainly pithoi (large storage containers) are located at around 3 to 11 metres from the seabed. An area of around 8 x 6 metres is covered by big pithos shards that can be attributed to at least three different types according to Elias Spondylis. Among the pithoi there are also shards of two types of amphorae, dating to the 12th – 13th centuries AD. The pithoi types are attributed to the 8th – 9th centuries AD, but it seems that they coexist with the later amphorae due to the fact that storage vessels were usually used for long periods of time.

Akra –Glaros

Akra Glaros Cape is located in an area opposite of Nies, a coastal village in the prefecture of Magnesia and close to the city of Amaliapolis. Amaliapolis or Mitzela (local name, which means Small Mountain in the woods) is located near Almiros and 54 kilometers from Volos, on the western coast of the Pagasetic Gulf.

Glaros, West Pagasetic gulf, archaic stone anchor stock ©Ministry of Culture and Sports- Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, photo by Matteo Collina Univerità della Calabria –DIMEG

According to the Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology that investigates the area from 2000 to the present under the direction of marine archaeologist Elias Spondylis, at least four shipwrecks were recognized: a Hellenistic one (3rd – 2nd century BC), an Early Roman one (1st – 2nd century AD) and two of Middle and Late Byzantine (12th – 13th century AD) where Late Roman pottery is also present. The finds related to the aforementioned shipwrecks are so dispersed and mixed that the description of the different shipwrecks is a really difficult and not yet concluded task. On the other hand, it is really worth visiting the site and diving among the plentiful and varying objects indicative of ancient cargoes and dangerous journeys.

Telegrafos

Telegrafos Bay is located in the prefecture of Magnesia and close to the city of Amaliapolis. Nowadays the town has turned into a holiday centre attracting many tourists, local and foreign. Visitors can admire the picturesque stores, visit the castle and walk the lovely paths.

The shipwreck was first located in 2000 by the team of the Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology which surveyed the area of the south-western coastof the Pagasetic Gulf, and it was later fully excavated from 2003 to 2008, also by HIMA, under the direction of marine archaeologist Elias Spondylis.

Visitors at the shipwreck of Peristera on its “open to public” weekend (6-7 April) ©Ministry of Culture and Sports- Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, photo by G. Issaris

The initial picture was of an intact shipwreck caused possibly by the ship’s crushing against the rocky coast and capsizing. Unfortunately, the site was looted before the excavation. Despite that, the excavation brought to light the rest of the cargo and a thorough study led to the recognition of three main types of Late Roman (4th century AD) amphorae for the main cargo that could be attributed northern Peloponnesian (Corinth) and Eastern Aegean (Samos) origin. Facts indicate a ship travelling along the sea routes of the Late Roman - newly established Byzantine Empire across and along the sides of the Aegean Sea. Moreover, together with the main cargo smaller amounts of amphorae of six different types point to probable stops at minor ports along the route connecting the western side of the Aegean or even different products from secondary landing points.

It is worth noting that the BLUEMED project aims to promote the “blue economy” of the Mediterranean and to identify best practices for the protection and promotion of underwater cultural heritage, the ultimate goal being making such sites accessible to the public.

Three-dimensional side-view of the shipwreck of Peristera ©Ministry of Culture and Sports- Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, photo by Matteo Collina Univerità della Calabria –DIMEG

Additionally, the Hellenic Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities is intensively working towards:

• The formation of an operative framework for the underwater museums
• Ensuring the means required for their operation, such as logistics, technological equipment, human resources, etc.
• The establishment of indicators for monitoring the status of archeological sites
• The introduction of a procedure for the approval of each study
• The local community’s access to information about the project in order to embrace it and the promotion of these sites to the diving community.

Marianna Varvarrigou (Intro photo: Glaros, West Pagasetic Gulf, Byzantine amphora ©Ministry of Culture and Sports- Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, photo by Matteo Collina Univerità della Calabria –DIMEG)

Read also via Greek News Agenda: Antony Gormley installation on the island of Delos; Professor Michael Scott: By studying the ancient Greeks we learn more about ourselves; Study Archaeology in Greece: English-taught Undergraduate and Postgraduate Courses; Greece among EU's “big five” in blue economy

The post Four shipwrecks to become underwater museums appeared first on Greek News Agenda.