Archaeologists discover 58 shipwrecks in the Aegean

Archaeologists in Greece have discovered at least 58 shipwrecks, many laden with antiquities, in what they say may be the largest concentration of ancient wrecks ever found in the Aegean and possibly the whole of the Mediterranean, Reuters reports.

The wrecks lie in the small island archipelago of Fournoi, in the Eastern Aegean, and span a huge period from ancient Greece right through to the 20th century. Most are dated to the Greek, Roman and Byzantine eras.

When the international team began the underwater survey in 2015, they were astounded to find 22 shipwrecks that year. With their latest finds that number has climbed to 58, and the team believe there are even more secrets lying on the seabed below.

The team has raised more than 300 antiquities from the shipwrecks, particularly amphorae, used mainly for transporting wine, oil, fish sauces, or honey, said archaeologist and Fournoi survey project director Dr. George Koutsouflakis.

Bad weather is the most likely explanation for why the ships all sank in the same area, he said. The region experiences lots of sudden, fierce squalls and is surrounded by rocky shores.

Fournoi is made up of 20 small islands, islets and reefs between the larger Ikaria, Patmos and Samos islands.

shipwrecks in the Aegean

shipwrecks

Aegean