Greece Unveils Ancient Shipwrecks as New Diving Destinations in the Aegean

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Greece’s Ministry of Culture announced connected Tuesday the instauration of 2 caller underwater archaeological sites which volition beryllium accessible for diving successful North Aegean.

The sites volition beryllium established connected Fourni and “Vathylakas” connected Thymaina, wrong the Fourni Korseon archipelago. For each site, the Ministry is preparing a ceremonial Operating Regulation to specify the presumption for the extortion of antiquities and the information protocols for recreational diving.

Minister Mendoni: “A sustainable exemplary for maritime heritage”

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated: “The extortion and promotion of our maritime taste heritage—extraordinarily affluent and divers successful some sites and shipwrecks—is a superior focus. The constitution of these 2 sites adjacent Ikaria is simply a milestone for nationalist entree to the underwater past of the North Aegean. This inaugural fits into a broader sustainable improvement exemplary that combines technological probe with high-quality diving tourism.”

She further noted that Fourni is presently 1 of the astir important maritime archaeological fields successful the Mediterranean. Systematic probe has uncovered 62 shipwrecks dating from the 6th period BC to the aboriginal 20th century. “At Akra Fygou, we spot a multi-layered archaeological analyzable reflecting commercialized networks spanning from the Aegean to the Black Sea,” Mendoni added.

A decennary of discovery: 2014–2025

Systematic underwater exploration successful Fourni began successful 2014 arsenic a associated task betwixt the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities and the RPM Nautical Foundation, aboriginal supported by the “Korseai” Institute. Fieldwork covered the coastal zones of Fourni, Thymaina, and Agios Minas down to a extent of 50 meters.

Highlights see the excavation of “Shipwreck 15,” a 5th–6th period AD vas carrying amphorae from the Black Sea (Crimea, Sinope, and Heraclea Pontica). To safeguard these finds, the Ministry designated 24 protected underwater zones crossed the archipelago successful 2025.

Ancient shipwrecks: New diving destinations successful the Aegean

Site 1: Fourni (Aspros Kavos)

This tract features 7 shipwrecks organized into 4 chiseled diving routes with maximum depths ranging from 23m to 41m. The country is besides affluent successful scattered finds, specified arsenic past anchors and ceramic deposits.

Key Shipwrecks:

Shipwreck No. 3 (5th–6th c. AD): Features uncommon “carrot-shaped” amphorae from Sinope—the lone known cargo of its benignant successful the Mediterranean.
Shipwreck No. 15 (5th–6th c. AD): A superior excavation tract featuring 8 types of amphorae and good tableware.
Shipwreck No. 13 (6th c. BC): The oldest successful the group, carrying an unprecedented cargo of Archaic Samian amphorae.
Shipwreck No. 55 (2nd–1st c. BC): A cargo of stamped Knidian amphorae, partially preserved nether rockslides.

Site 2: Vathylakas (Thymaina)

Located wrong the Vathylakas Bay, this tract underscores the region’s maritime value from the Hellenistic to the Roman periods. It features 4 diving routes with depths reaching up to 70m.

Key Shipwrecks:

Shipwreck No. 45 (4th c. AD): One of the fewer “pristine” deep-water wrecks (54m–67m). Its cargo includes amphorae from Roman Tunisia, Southern Spain, Portugal, and Catalonia, proving the immense grade of Late Roman commercialized networks.
Shipwreck No. 28 (2nd c. BC): A vas carrying amphorae from Kos and Ephesus, scattered crossed the rocky seabed.
Shipwreck No. 48 (1st–3rd c. BC): A ample ceramic deposit featuring Cretan amphorae, lamps, and cooking vessels.

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