Understanding a 2000 Year Old Shipwreck

16/09/2017

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The diving continues at Antikythera. We have had a run of exceptional weather with light winds from the west which allows the team to access the site under the protection of the island. Todays dives were focused on continued test excavations in known areas of the site that have yielded either diagnostic finds or metal detector signals. In addition, divers and archeologists worked to delineate the extent of the wreck site with the use of specially engineered metal detector capable of penetrating deep into the sediment or under rocks. Each “hit” is recorded on the GIS based high resolution map generated in 2014 with the use of a subsea tablet and will be investigated on subsequent dives. This growing database of artifacts, site diagnostics and surveyed areas aid the archeologists in understanding the position of the wreck and the 2000 year plus site formation process.

Upon completing the diving rotations the team was met back in Potamos Harbor by project supporters aboard the familiar M/V GLAROS. Those aboard included Panos Laskaridis and Dr. Ageliki Simosi, Director of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities.

The commute to work: waiting on the surface for the signal that the excavation pump is ready for the divers. (Photo by Brett Seymour EUA / ARGO NGO)
Alexandros Sotiriou metal detects over the steep slope. The one-of-a-kind detector built specifically to Alexandros’ specifications can “see” through more than two meters of rock to detect buried objects. (Photo by Brett Seymour EUA / ARGO NGO)
While Alexandros Sotiriou conducts the metal detector survey, each detector “hit” is entered into the GIS based site map via the underwater tablet by Dr Alex Tortuas. (Photo by Brett Seymour EUA / ARGO NGO)
Arrival of friends aboard M/V GLAROS (Seagull): Panos Laskaridis and Dr. Ageliki Simosi, Director of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities. (Photo by Brett Seymour EUA / ARGO NGO)
Dr. Brendan Foley, with appropriate field beard, discusses plans with Dr. Ageliki Simosi. (Photo by Brett Seymour EUA / ARGO NGO)
Discussion of the campaign’s successes, in a convivial setting aboard the yacht. (Photo by Brett Seymour EUA / ARGO NGO)

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