An international group of scientists made an exciting discovery recently: while exploring underwater in the Mediterranean they found three shipwrecks which have been lying at the bottom of the sea for a very long time.
Detailed Analysis
The scientists also took detailed pictures of three other ships that were discovered many years ago by two experts named Robert Ballard and Anna Marguerite McCann. These ships belonged to the ancient Roman civilization. They studied these pictures and shared their findings with the public in a press conference organized by UNESCO in Paris on Thursday.
The team of scientists consisted of twenty individuals from Algeria, Croatia, Egypt, France, Italy, Morocco, Spain, and Tunisia. They embarked on a 14-day journey on a research vessel called the Alfred Merlin, which belongs to France. They conducted their exploration between August and September last year. Using special underwater vehicles called ROVs, which can be controlled from a distance, the researchers explored two specific areas: the Skerki Bank near Tunisia and the Sicilian Channel in Italy.
Details Of ROV’s
One of the ROVs, called Arthur, impressively reached depths ranging from 2,296 to 2,952 feet (700 to 900 meters). The Skerki Bank, situated in the Strait of Sicily, is an area in the Mediterranean that sees significant maritime traffic. However, it is also known for being extremely hazardous. The waters in this region are quite shallow, and the seabed is filled with rocky formations. In fact, some of these rocky areas are located less than 3.2 feet (1 meter) below the water’s surface. The significance of this region lies in its historical importance as a meeting point for different cultures traveling across the Mediterranean.
Among them was a notable “large motorized metal wreck” that did not show any signs of cargo. The researchers observed that the davits, which are used to lower lifeboats, were facing outward on this wreck. This suggests that the crew might have been able to leave the ship. The second shipwreck was likely a wooden fishing boat.
Artifacts Discovered
During the exploration, the ROV captured images of intriguing artifacts that resembled amphoras. These tall jars with narrow necks were commonly used by Greeks and Romans for storing wine and other goods. To gain further insights, the team aims to delve into historical archives in the hopes of finding specific names associated with these sunken ships. Since none of the wrecks could be easily identified, archival research may provide valuable information regarding the individual identities of these vessels.
In a separate exploration conducted along the Italian continental shelf, the three Roman shipwrecks were revisited. These wrecks were estimated to date back to the period between the first century BC and the first century AD. Among them, two were merchant vessels, while the other was a cargo ship. The seafloor surrounding these wrecks was scattered with a variety of artifacts, including amphoras, ceramics, building materials, jugs, pots, and lamps.
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Source: Greekreporter
