Another
cycle of underwater excavation around the “Mentor” shipwreck near
Kythira island has been concluded yielding evidence that the ship that
carried other antiquities besides what has already been discovered so
far. Excavations took place in June 26-July 12 and focused on the
western boundary of the shipwreck.
cycle of underwater excavation around the “Mentor” shipwreck near
Kythira island has been concluded yielding evidence that the ship that
carried other antiquities besides what has already been discovered so
far. Excavations took place in June 26-July 12 and focused on the
western boundary of the shipwreck.
 |
| Underwater excavations at section 1 with closed circuit equipment [Credit: G. Fardoulis] |
The Mentor had set to travel to England but
in September 1802 sunk at the entrance of the port of Avlemonas,
Kythira. It probably carried antiquities collected by Earl of Elgin
team, besides the Parthenon sculptures destined to Britain. Since
underwater excavations started at the site, various fragments have been
discovered indicating that other antiquities were carried.
in September 1802 sunk at the entrance of the port of Avlemonas,
Kythira. It probably carried antiquities collected by Earl of Elgin
team, besides the Parthenon sculptures destined to Britain. Since
underwater excavations started at the site, various fragments have been
discovered indicating that other antiquities were carried.
 |
| The area of the section excavated [Credit: G. Fardoulis] |
This year’s excavations focused on the
western boundaries of the surviving part of the shipwreck towards its
bow, where fragments of Egyptian sculptures had been discovered in 2013.
In the defined section parts of wooden structure were found,
potentially associated with the ship itself, but not very well
preserved.
western boundaries of the surviving part of the shipwreck towards its
bow, where fragments of Egyptian sculptures had been discovered in 2013.
In the defined section parts of wooden structure were found,
potentially associated with the ship itself, but not very well
preserved.
 |
| Small stone vase found at the site [Credit: Dim. Kourkoumelis] |
Other objects related to the ship were also found, such as an
hourglass, several plate fragments and a disc, part of a pulley, but
also personal items such as a seal bearing the letter “B” or a bone
chess piece and fragmetns of a bone comb. Of particular interest were
three handles of amphorae from Rhodes, dated to about 3rd century BC, as
well as an intact stone vase.
hourglass, several plate fragments and a disc, part of a pulley, but
also personal items such as a seal bearing the letter “B” or a bone
chess piece and fragmetns of a bone comb. Of particular interest were
three handles of amphorae from Rhodes, dated to about 3rd century BC, as
well as an intact stone vase.
 |
| Inscribed handle of Rhodes amphora [Credit: A. Tourtas] |
Research has been exclusively supported
by the Kytherian Research Group, with participation from the Ephorate of
Underwater Antiquities. Members from the Antikythera Shipwreck Research
Group also participated in the excavations helping with the progress of
the excavation due to their high technology diving equipment.
by the Kytherian Research Group, with participation from the Ephorate of
Underwater Antiquities. Members from the Antikythera Shipwreck Research
Group also participated in the excavations helping with the progress of
the excavation due to their high technology diving equipment.
Source: Archaiologia Online [July 28, 2015]
