Maritime archaeology of the Mediterranean Sea

Maritime archaeology of the Mediterranean Sea studies ships, harbors, shipwrecks, and other material evidence of human interaction with the sea across history.

Connect

Underwater archaeology: The archaeological investigation of submerged sites, structures, and artifacts. Mediterranean maritime archaeology uses underwater methods to investigate wrecks and drowned coastal landscapes.
Uluburun shipwreck: A Late Bronze Age merchant shipwreck discovered off the coast of southern Turkey. Its cargo records long-distance exchange across the eastern Mediterranean around 1300 BCE.
George Bass: An American archaeologist who helped establish scientific underwater excavation. His work at Gelidonya and other sites demonstrated systematic excavation underwater.
Ancient Mediterranean trade: The exchange of goods among societies bordering the Mediterranean in antiquity. Wreck cargoes reveal routes and commodities often missing from written records.
Shipwreck looting: The unauthorized removal of artifacts from a shipwreck, usually destroying archaeological context. Commercial salvage can erase the contextual evidence maritime archaeology depends on.
Marine geophysics: The study of physical properties and processes beneath and across the seabed. Geophysical surveys locate buried wrecks and harbor structures without excavation.
Antikythera wreck: A Roman-era shipwreck near the Greek island of Antikythera, discovered in 1900. Its sculptures and Antikythera mechanism illustrate the varied cargo of ancient ships.
Institute of Nautical Archaeology: A research organization devoted to the discovery and study of submerged cultural heritage. Its Mediterranean projects helped develop long-term underwater archaeological research.
Ancient shipbuilding: The construction of vessels in the ancient world using regionally varied techniques and materials. Hull structure and fastenings expose technological choices and building traditions.
Marine protected area: A geographically defined marine area managed to conserve nature or cultural heritage. Protection can limit damage to archaeological sites from fishing, construction, and salvage.