Since 2019, the research team of the National Research Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture have carried out four research missions in areas of special interest, utilizing archaeological and historical evidence, sources, testimonies and references on the island of Kasos, from Homer’s Iliad to the latest years.
UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE SEA AREA OF KASSOS
During the research, a total of ten shipwrecks were discovered as well as important individual finds, which date indicatively from prehistory (3000 BC), the Classical period (460 BC), the Hellenistic period (100 BC to 100 AD) and the Roman years (200 BC – 300 AD), the Byzantine period (800 – 900 AD), even finds from the medieval and Ottoman periods.
The findings were recorded and documented with modern scientific methods, while sample lifts of archaeological objects were carried out, the study of which offers new information and archaeological data, aspects of the history of Kasos as well as the rich cultural heritage of the Mediterranean. Sunken remains of ancient ships with goods from Spain, Italy, Africa and the coasts of Asia Minor were brought to light by an interdisciplinary team of Greek and foreign researchers and professors, diving archaeologists, historians, architects, surveyors, conservators, geologists, biologists, artisans, postgraduate students, PhD candidates, post-doctoral researchers and other specialists.
UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE SEA AREA OF KASSOS
The survey was completed in 2023 with the implementation of the fourth research mission between October 10 and 26, which focused on documenting the archaeological material. With modern technological equipment, more than 20,000 underwater photographs were taken, which were used to study and synthesize digital images of the wrecks and finds, providing a wealth of primary data to the international scientific community.
The thorough study of the material at depths of -20m. up to -47m brought to light unique finds, including: a Spanish Dressel 20 amphora with a seal on its handle dated between 150-170 AD, drinking vessels, terra sigillata flasks, which belong to the Roman period of African origin, stone anchor of the Archaic period, as well as other important archaeological evidence. At the same time, the mapping and bathymetry of the Kasos-Karpathos reef and the Karpatholimnion area was carried out for the first time, with the use of a side scanning sonar machine. Finally, the remains of a shipwreck from the latest period, possibly from the World War II era, were identified. It is a wooden boat with metal elements, the size of which is estimated at 25m.-30m.
UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE SEA AREA OF KASSOS
It is worth mentioning that the underwater research in Kasos was the subject of an original film production by AORI FILMS entitled “Diving into the History of the Aegean”, available in Greek and English version in The film has already been selected for participation in the competition section of leading international archaeological festivals films, including The Archeology Channel International Film Festival in America and Firenze Archeofilm Festival in Europe.
The assessment of the overall research, enriched with original studies by historians, archaeologists, conservators and other scientists will be the subject of a foreign language collective volume planned to be published in late 2024 by the National Research Foundation. In June 2024, it is planned to expand the research to the marine area of Karpathos, which forms a single geographical entity with Kasos.
The research project (2019-2023) was funded by the Municipality of Iroiki Nisos Kasos, TERNA ENERGY, Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, Kasian Brotherhood of America, MaP Ltd, Hellenic Hypermarkets Sklavenitis AEE, Carton Hoye, Baltic Exchange Charitable Foundation, TEKAL SA, REVOIL SA, Trip Tailors OE and also private individuals.
At the same time, the research was supported by the Municipality of Heroic Island Kasos, the companies Asso.subsea, HELLENiQ ENERGY, Blue Star Ferries, Apnea, MaP, Hellenic Cables, Aquatec, Eurobrokers, as well as the Natural Environment & Climate Change Organization OFYPEKA and the Maritime Museum of Norway (Norwegian Maritime Museum).
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