Shipwreck’s treasures see light of day

[half greek]

PROFESSIONAL and amateur divers yesterday began the process of hauling up ancient urns buried onboard the Mazotos shipwreck.

The shipwreck, possibly the largest commercial ship located in open Cypriot waters, sank in 350 BC en route from the Greek island of Chios carrying around 1,000 urns filled with wine. Today it is buried 45 metres below sea level and is the oldest shipwreck found off the coast of Cyprus to date. The Kyrenia II shipwreck, found almost 50 years ago, dates back to 300 BC.

The Antiquities Department said last year it was one of the very few shipwrecks of the Classical period found in such a good state of preservation.

Around 500 urns are visible while the remainder are believed to be buried under one or two layers of sand.

The shipwreck is guarded by the competent security services 24 hours around the clock and no one is allowed near it without permission.

Dr Stella Demesticha, Visiting Lecturer of Underwater Archaeology at the University of Cyprus who is carrying out the research, said the find was an important event for Cyprus’ history.

The project was undertaken by the Research Unit of Archaeology of the University of Cyprus in agreement with the Department of Antiquities and with funding and logistical support from the Thetis Foundation. It is the first time a project of this kind has been exclusively undertaking by Cypriot institutions.

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Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008

[half greek]

Ancient ship was carrying the finest wine By Jean Christou Saturday, June 7, 2008

ARCHAEOLOGISTS working on recovering amphorae from the 2,350-year-old Mazotos shipwreck have completed their work for the moment and will resume in October, expedition leader Dr Stella Demesticha said yesterday.

“We brought up some pieces but I don’t know at the moment if we will bring up more because the expedition has ended for the time being,” Demesticha said.

Work was due to resume in October, she added.

Demesticha said six whole amphorae and three partly preserved ones were recovered by divers from the mid-4th century BC commercial ship, which lies at a depth of 45 metres in the area of the village Mazotos, about 2.5 kilometres from the shore.

The Greek researcher said last week they believe the hull of the ship, which is buried in the sand, is also in good condition but only seawater and sand remain in the amphorae, their cargo long spilled into the sea.

The ship is said to the most important underwater find in Cyprus since the Kyrenia ship was discovered and salvaged in the late sixties. The Mazotos wreck is estimated to be 50 years older than the Kyrenia, which sank in 300 BC.

The expedition to the Mazotos shipwreck is being led by the Research Unit of Archaeology at the University of Cyprus.

The Antiquities Department said yesterday the ship was carrying the renowned red wine of Chios, “perhaps the most expensive Greek wine of the Classical period”, in the amphorae, which were the vessels used exclusively for the sea transport of wine.
“About 500 amphorae are now visible on the surface but there may be many more buried below the sand,” a statement from the Department said yesterday.

Apart from the Chian amphorae, which form the overwhelming majority, there are also other types from islands of the North Aegean.

During this, the second season of survey from May 20-31, the shipwreck was photographed and drawn and a small sample of the various types of amphora was salvaged for the purposes of study and further research. The Department said that conservation of the amphorae, has already begun in the Larnaca Museum. The marine biodiversity of the area of the shipwreck is also under study.

“The research is of great importance to the nautical and economic history of the Eastern Mediterranean, because the shipwreck of Mazotos is one of few finds dating to the Classical period in the Eastern Mediterranean and in addition its state of preservation is excellent,” the statement said.

It said the results of the study would shed light on many problems of nautical and economic history which concern not only Cypriots but also the international archaeological research community.

The Mazotos shipwreck could offer more information on the commercial relations between the northern Aegean and the southeastern Mediterranean, the role of Cyprus in the trade routes in the final phases of the Cypriot Kingdoms, the manner in which sea trade was organised, and the types and sizes of commercial ships of the period.

“Another important aspect is that this project is the first marine archaeology research carried out in Cyprus exclusively by Cypriot institutions,” the Department said.

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Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008