World News
Divers locate 2,400-year-old shipwreck and ancient cargo off Greek island of Andros
Archaeologists are analyzing amphorae retrieved from a Classical-era vessel discovered in the Cyclades.
The short version
- Greek authorities announced the discovery of a roughly 2,400-year-old shipwreck carrying hundreds of ceramic storage jars off the island of Andros.
- The site, situated between 128 and 144 feet deep, contains an estimated 600 to 650 amphorae dating to the late fifth and early fourth centuries B.C.
- Archaeologists recovered samples of three jar types to determine the ship's cargo, route, and origin.
Key facts
- Greece's Ministry of Culture announced the find off the Cycladic island of Andros following an alert from a private individual.[Fox News]
- The wreck lies at an underwater depth ranging from 128 to 144 feet.[Fox News]
- Initial surveys documented an estimated 600 to 650 pointed-bottom commercial amphorae spanning Mende, Peparethos, and Solokha 2 types.[Fox News]
- Divers found a piece of a lead anchor stock and possible ballast stones alongside the cargo.[Fox News]
- Researchers retrieved one amphora of each identified type for laboratory testing and analysis.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- The specific goods transported inside the amphorae and the exact departure and destination points of the vessel remain undetermined pending further study.[Fox News]