A “shipwreck graveyard” spanning more than 2,600 years has been discovered off the coast of a historic island.
Archaeologists uncovered multiple ancient wrecks along with dozens of anchors and harbour remains during a major underwater survey.
The discovery was made off Karpathos in the south-eastern Aegean Sea.
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Researchers carried out more than 120 dives at depths of between three and 45 metres across northern Karpathos and the nearby island of Saria.
The project, led by Greece’s Ministry of Culture through the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, forms part of an ongoing programme to map underwater heritage in the region.
In a statement, the Ministry said the team identified remains spanning over 26 centuries, from the late 7th century BC through to the early 19th century.
Among the most significant finds were five shipwrecks – four ancient and one modern, as reported by Need To Know.
The earliest dates back to the Archaic period.
The vessels are believed to have been commercial ships, with numerous amphorae also discovered, once used to transport goods such as oil and wine.
Researchers also identified remains of ancient port infrastructure and more than 20 Byzantine anchors.
Officials said these findings highlight the area’s importance as a major maritime hub in antiquity.
The survey focused on areas linked to the ancient settlements of Vrykountos and Nisyros, which formed part of the “Karpathian tetrapolis” – a network of four city-states described by ancient geographer Strabo.
In a statement, the Ministry of Culture said the discoveries “illuminate the importance of the area during Late Antiquity”.
The expedition involved more than 40 specialists from across the world, including archaeologists from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropological Research and experts from the Norwegian Maritime Museum.
The project has been running since 2019 and is supported by a range of public and private organisations.
Alongside the survey, researchers also completed a separate initiative focused on protecting underwater heritage from the effects of climate change, including conservation work in the waters around Kasos.
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