Shipwrecks and Other Archaeological Finds Discovered off Delos

In May underwater archaeologists mapped an ancient breakwater and discovered several shipwrecks shedding new light on Delos' role in trade in the Mediterranean.


The remains of ancient coastal structures and a harbor, a large number of shipwrecks dating back to various eras and significant smaller finds were found in underwater archaeological research conducted by the relevant underwater antiquities service off the uninhabited islet of Delos earlier this month.

“The finds confirm that Delos was an important trading base and an important maritime trade route through the ages, linking the east and west Mediterranean,” the culture and sports ministry said in a press release detailing the finds.

 

Archaeologists carried out an in-depth investigation of the ancient breakwater that protected the island’s central port in antiquity from the strong northwestern winds, which is now underwater because the sea level has risen by two metres since that time.

According to the ministry, the breakwater was an “impressively strong structure, roughly 160 metres long and at least 40 metres wide, built on a pile of unshaped rocks, while its upper structure was mostly constructed of granite blocks of impressive size.” The date of its construction remains unknown and further archaeological and geological research will be needed to discover this, the press release added.

Other finds included the remains of walls and a fallen colonnade, the remains of a later Hellenistic-era shipwreck carrying amphoras of oil and wine from Italy and the western Mediterranean, as well as another two shipwrecks from the same era off the southern tip of Delos.

The mission also had the opportunity to photograph and map two more shipwrecks found in previous underwater explorations, at the site of Kato Kerenale and near the island of Fourni.

All of the shipwrecks aside from the one off Fourni date to the period between the end of the 2nd century and the 1st century B.C. when Delos was at the height of its prosperity, before it was sacked by Mithridates and Cilician pirates.

 

Archaeologists also stressed the discovery of amphorae dating to various periods and from a range of geographical regions, noting that these helped in the reconstruction of Delos’ history through the ages.

Finds from area outside the Aegean – such as Italy, Spain and North Africa – demonstrated that the isle had trade transactions throughout the Mediterranean during the Hellenistic period. Some of the finds date to the 5th century B.C. when little is known about the island’s trade and transactions.

Meanwhile other artifacts as well as the wreck off Fourni date to the 2nd – 4th c. A.D., a period following the sacking of the island, confirming that Delos continued to be inhabited and to play an important role in trade and shipping.

ANA/MPA



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