Scientists have discovered underwater artifacts from the 2,500-year-old wreck of the Great Aegean Sea, which could provide new insights into ancient Greece, which colonized the Mediterranean island for hundreds of years. The underwater artifacts were discovered during a three-week project south of Sicily. They were buried under 20 feet of sand and rock, according to a news release from the Sicilian Maritime Authority.

Over the centuries, mollusks have eaten away at the ship's hull, which was               constructed using the "on the shell" technique. University of Udine

Experts believe the ruins probably date back to the 5th or 6th century BC, during the period of Greek colonization. The ship's hull was built using the "on-the shell" technique, a method of connecting beams to create a self-supporting structure.

Over the centuries, mollusks have eaten the hull, making it extremely fragile, according to a press release from the University of Udine in Italy.

Using photogrammetry techniques, the researchers were able to create a 3D model of the delicate wreck. They also plan to study samples collected from the site to determine the materials used for shipbuilding.Nearby, divers also discovered several anchors. Two of them are made of iron and are shaped like an inverted "t" and probably date back to the 7th century AD. Four of the anchors are made of stone and probably date back to prehistoric times. One of the stone anchors is broken, but it appears to have been outfitted with two wooden legs.

The discovery of artifacts from such different periods in history highlights the region’s robust seafaring heritage, as the Greek Reporter’s Abdul Moeed writes.


     The team also found anchors from several different time periods, including           two made of iron and shaped like an upside-down "T." University of Udine

Together, these discoveries could contribute to a better understanding of the maritime history of the Mediterranean, including the relationship between the ancient Greeks and the Carthaginians, according to CBS News' Emily Mae Czachor. For many years, the two groups, along with the Romans, fought for control of the central Mediterranean.The Romans took control of Sicily in 241 BC at the end of the First Punic War with the Carthaginians.

The underwater excavations are part of the Kaukana project, launched in 2017 and aimed at exploring the waters off the coast of Sicily. The project is led by the University of Udine in partnership with several other research institutions.

“The discovery of this ruin highlights the importance of Sicily as a strategic point on trade routes with ancient Greece,” writes Guillermo Carvajal of La Brújula Verde. “The materials and techniques found not only provide insight into the maritime skills of the period, but also highlight the intense commercial and cultural activity that flourished in the Mediterranean.”It is not the only shipwreck discovered in the Mediterranean in recent years. In 2021, archaeologists near Palermo, Sicily, reported the discovery of a Roman shipwreck filled with jars used to transport wine and olive oil. The following year, an international team of researchers documented Roman shipwrecks in the Skerki Banks, a channel between Sicily and Tunisia.