The shipwreck of Antikythera is considered the “Titanic” of antiquity because of its size and rich finds. Underwater archaeologists have now made new discoveries on the famous wreck. Among them is a component of the ship’s hull that reveals the construction of the ancient freighter. In addition, investigations into another site around 200 meters away suggest that the ship was traveling with a second freighter that also sank.
As early as 1900, sponge divers discovered the first remains of a sunken ship off the coast of the small Greek island of Antikythera, including some wooden beams, remains of nautical utensils, but also objects made of ceramics, bronze and marble. A short time later, initial archaeological investigations revealed that the wreck was an ancient freighter that must have sunk off Antikythera around 60 to 70 BC. With a length of almost 55 meters, this is one of the largest shipwrecks ever discovered in antiquity. But the wreck became famous for another reason: on board was a unique object – the Antikythera mechanism, a kind of ancient “celestial computer”.
Marble, amphorae and ship components
Although the wreck of Antikythera has been known for more than 124 years, it has not yet revealed all its secrets. It is not yet clear where the ancient freighter and its luxurious cargo originally came from. It is also not known why the ship sank – not least because not all of the remains of the ship and its cargo have been excavated and found. This is one of the reasons why underwater archaeologists have been conducting investigations on the shipwreck for several years in order to map and research it using modern means. The current project is led by Lorenz Baumer from the University of Geneva and the Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece (ESAG). It is co-led by Angeliki G. Simosi from the Department of Underwater Antiquities of the Greek Ministry of Culture.
From May 17 to June 20, 2024, the underwater archaeologists again dived to the wreck of Antikythera. The excavation and mapping work was coordinated in real time with remote-controlled underwater drones, and digital 3D models of the explored areas were created. Thanks to exceptionally favorable weather conditions, the team was able to make some significant discoveries, as ESAG reports in a press release. The new finds include a total of more than 300 objects, including 21 pieces of marble and fragments made of other materials, as well as components of the ship and over 200 ceramic shards. As the archaeologists explain, the marble fragments discovered probably come from several statues, and the amphorae found on the seabed belong to a variety of different types. These provide initial clues as to their origin, including from Chios and Rhodes.
Evidence of ship construction and a second wreck
The most remarkable discovery of this year’s excavations, however, is an important structural element of the ship. It comes from a section of the ship’s hull, the original components of which, together with the external protective coating, have been preserved in excellent condition. The hull section consists of planks and frames that are still connected to one another. “This structure allows us to better understand the previously elusive structural features of the ship and to determine the exact location and orientation of the wreck,” explains Baumer. Based on the find, scientists suspect that the ancient ship was built using the “shell first” construction method that was common at the time. The hull was assembled with the planks first, and only then were the frames installed inside. Today, however, this is done in the opposite order.
The new investigations also revealed something else: the underwater archaeologists also examined a second site, which is only around 200 meters away from the first. Numerous ceramics were also discovered there during previous dives, but it remained unclear whether this cargo came from the same wreck and was only moved by ocean currents. The team has now been able to provide more clarity: based on new finds, they have determined that a second ancient shipwreck lies at this location. The similarity of the cargo suggests that both freighters may have sailed this coastal route together a good 2000 years ago, as Baumer and his team report. The ships could therefore also have sunk together – but why is still unclear. The archaeologists hope that the samples they have now taken from the seabed can provide more information about the fate of the two ancient freighters.
Source: Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece