Date:

Underwater archaeologists excavate Byzantine shipwreck near Samos

Underwater archaeologists have excavated a Byzantine shipwreck near the Greek island of Samos in the East Aegean.

The shipwreck, one of 58 identified in the Fourni islands archipelago as part of the framework of the EU’s Interreg VA Greece-Cyprus 2014-2020 program, was selected for further study by the Culture Ministry of Greece due to the wrecks relatively high level of preservation.

- Advertisement -

The archipelago is famous for being a hub of the Ancient World and a major route for the transportation of goods across the Mediterranean.

The wreck is located off the Fygos promontory (Aspros Kavos) at a depth of 43-48 metres and dates from between AD 480 to AD 520. The shipwreck’s chronology range places it within the rule of Anastasius I (491-518 AD), a Byzantine Emperor whose reign was characterised by reforms to reinvigorate the monetary economy and leaving the empire with a stable government.

un2
Image Credit : AMNA

Excavations were led by underwater archaeologist Giorgos Koutsouflakis along with a team of specialist divers, who carried out 292 individual dives amounting to nearly 220 hours of underwater work.

After clearing sand from the surface and opening a trial trench, the team found six types of amphorae from Crimea and Heraclea Pontica on the Black Sea coast, and multiple pieces of ceramic tableware from Phocaea in NW Asia Minor.

- Advertisement -

AMNA

Header Image Credit : AMNA

- Advertisement -
spot_img
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan is multi-award-winning journalist and the Managing Editor at HeritageDaily. His background is in archaeology and computer science, having written over 8,000 articles across several online publications. Mark is a member of the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW), the World Federation of Science Journalists, and in 2023 was the recipient of the British Citizen Award for Education, the BCA Medal of Honour, and the UK Prime Minister's Points of Light Award.
spot_img
spot_img
spot_img

Mobile Application

spot_img

Related Articles

Face to face with royalty: Skull may belong to King Matthias Corvinus

A skull unearthed in the ruins of Hungary’s former royal coronation site may belong to King Matthias Corvinus.

Ancient Egyptian settlement discovered near Alexandria

Archaeologists excavating at Kom el-Nugus west of Alexandria have discovered the remains of a New Kingdom settlement.

Researchers uncover hidden inscriptions in Jerusalem’s Last Supper Room

An international team of researchers, including experts from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), have uncovered Medieval inscriptions hidden on the walls of the Cenacle – the traditional location of the Last Supper.

Thirty Years’ war camp excavation sheds light on military life

Archaeologists from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation (BLfD) have excavated one of the largest fortified military camps of the Thirty Years' War, located in Stein, Germany.

Macabre book discovery at Suffolk Museum

A macabre book bound in human skin has been rediscovered at Moyse's Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Homeowner discovers hidden tunnel beneath townhouse

A homeowner unexpectedly discovered a hidden tunnel during renovations of their townhouse in Tielt, Belgium.

Armed in death: swords reveal warrior graves

Archaeologists from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) have uncovered a necropolis with burials accompanied by richly adorned grave goods.

4,000 fragments of Roman wall paintings unearthed in Villajoyosa

Archaeologists excavating the Roman villa of Barberes Sud in Villajoyosa, Spain, have unearthed over 4,000 fragments of ornamental wall paintings.