Underwater Technology

Underwater archaeological salvage operations in Greece commenced with ‘nude diving’ in Lord Elgin’s wrecked ship Mentor in 1802 at Kythera, continued with hard helmet diving at the Salamis straits in 1877, at Antikythera in 1900 and Madhia in 1907, and advanced with the introduction of SCUBA diving in the late 1950s. First underwater excavation took place at Grand Congloué in 1950 and from then on, salvage was transformed and developed into a separate discipline of archaeology, progressing today in using Closed Circuit Rebreathers and Atmospheric Diving Systems, as in the recent Antikythera project (2012- 2014). Except for SCUBA diving gear
and visual observation, several other technological methods and equipment have been used after the mid-twentieth century, to locate and map submerged cultural remains, especially in deep waters. The article comprises an overview of innovative underwater archaeological research efforts in Greek territorial waters, distinct from the standard diving methods and technologies used in the field. The overview of the history of their use will lead, at the end,to the discussion of their efficiency and basic principles to be followed based on the experience acquired.

The discovery of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes shipwreck in 2007 sparked an unprecedented response in cultural heritage management by the Kingdom of Spain, strengthening the sense of an ethical approach in the fields of legality and archaeology. Experience in previous court cases won in U.S. Jurisdiction with El Juno and La Galga meant the participation, signature and ratification of 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. The project design included in its annexe made the internationalisation of the country a reality, helping to modernise intervention and contingency plans against plundering, whose amelioration experienced a boost by the illegal subtraction of an unknown colonial vessel, suspected to be a historical Spanish warship. Originally named The Black Swan project by Odyssey Marine Exploration, this case trespassed numerous legal and archaeological boundaries internationally, helping Spain to become the leading country in ethics worldwide. The regulation and renewal of national laws since then made PNPPAS and The Green Paper possible: coordination among local, regional and national administrations, the acquisition of new technology, the establishment of a strict code of ethics in archaeology and the prosecution of salvage as a decent job, launched the country’s image further beyond, thanks to the support of personal pride, robust documentation, great defence at court and coverage by the media. Treasure hunting activities under water thus began a decline that continues until today.

ABSTRACT In the Porto Cesareo (Lecce, Italy) coastal area, submerged and semi-submerged archaeological evidence has been uncovered by recent preliminary surveys carried out in close collaboration with the local marine protected area (MPA): (a) a navis lapidaria wreck of the Roman imperial age; (b) various scattered and decontextualised finds; (c) a beached wreck, probably medieval; (d) some submerged built-structures that are part of the Bronze Age Scalo di Furno settlement; and (e) remains of structures (walls, buildings, burial areas). The last three pieces of evidence allow for the hypothesis of a significantly different ancient coastal landscape than that of the present and a 'dynamic' scenario over the centuries

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The Pozzo del Merro (Merro sinkhole), a few kilometres away from Rome, Italy, is the deepest flooded karstic cavity known in the world. Over the last two years, a multi-disciplinary scientific research project studied the almost unknown aquatic ecosystem of the sinkhole while ...

ABSTRACT In the Porto Cesareo (Lecce, Italy) coastal area, submerged and semi-submerged archaeological evidence has been uncovered by recent preliminary surveys carried out in close collaboration with the local marine protected area (MPA): (a) a navis lapidaria wreck of the Roman imperial age; (b) various scattered and decontextualised finds; (c) a beached wreck, probably medieval; (d) some submerged built-structures that are part of the Bronze Age Scalo di Furno settlement; and (e) remains of structures (walls, buildings, burial areas). The last three pieces of evidence allow for the hypothesis of a significantly different ancient coastal landscape than that of the present and a 'dynamic' scenario over the centuries

The Pozzo del Merro (Merro sinkhole), a few kilometres away from Rome, Italy, is the deepest flooded karstic cavity known in the world. Over the last two years, a multi-disciplinary scientific research project studied the almost unknown aquatic ecosystem of the sinkhole while ...