The movie "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" recently brought attention to the ruin of Antikythera. An multinational team of archaeologists, divers, engineers, and physical and natural scientists are actively exploring the renowned wreck, far from the fantasies of the movies.
The researchers' understanding of the site's structure, stratigraphy, the wreck itself, and its priceless cargo has advanced significantly this year. Additionally, previously uncharted territory has been painstakingly researched, allowing for a more clear-cut understanding of this fabled ship.
Dr. Angeliki G. Simosi, Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and the Islands, and Lorenz Baumer, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), directed the trip, which took place from May 19 to June 18, 2023.
It is a component of a five-year (2021-2025) UNIGE research program. By carefully investigating the wreck's preservation and location, its potential route, and its contents, these excavations are ultimately intended to help us better comprehend the circumstances that led to the sinking. To create a comprehensive understanding of this awful historical event, this season's discoveries are crucial.
Advanced technologies
Remote-controlled drones and digital photography taken by the divers were used to meticulously record the excavations' development. Using 3D modeling software, this data was processed daily, allowing for remarkably accurate visualization and analysis of the location. All archaeological discoveries were also meticulously recorded and regularly linked into a Geographic Information System (GIS), allowing for the analysis of the distribution of discoveries over time and space.
All information that is now known about the wreck of Antikythera, dating back to the initial digs in 1900–1901, is included in the database for this complex effort. With the aid of this all-encompassing strategy, the site may be thoroughly and in-depth analyzed while taking into consideration all previously gathered data.
A second ship was found
The easternmost portion of the shipwreck site, where gigantic marble statue pieces were discovered last year after a collection of sizable natural rocks were removed, was the focus of the excavations. This time, the team found the bone remains of at least one more person who tragically perished in the terrible catastrophe.
Objects resembling the Antikythera wreck, such as pieces of marble statues, pottery, glassware, and copper alloy, lead, and wooden ship parts, were also discovered. One of the marble shards found most likely came from the Herakles beard, which was previously located by the expedition in 2022. These discoveries attest to the Antikythera wreck's significance for culture and the arts.
A fascinating find was also made at a higher stratigraphic level. The discovery of many pieces of late pottery suggests that another, perhaps much smaller vessel met the same terrible demise during proto-Byzantine periods.
This new knowledge highlights the value of ongoing archaeological research in this area and brings up fascinating perspectives on the marine history of the area.
The richest ancient wreck ever found in Greece is the wreck of Antikythera, which dates to the first half of the first century BC. It was discovered by accident in 1900 off the coast of Antikythera, and it was later unearthed by Commander Cousteau in the 1970s by Greek archaeologists between 2012 and 2020. The project has being run under the auspices of the Swiss Archaeological School in Greece since 2021 by the University of Geneva.
