The underwater excavation (2019–2021) of three shipwrecks from the traditional and medieval instances, which had been positioned off the island of Kasos – have unlocked a treasure trove of historical past, setting the stage for additional groundbreaking revelations.
As the primary chapter of underwater exploration which was carried out throughout the pandemic concluded, a brand new journey started. The present odyssey, spanning from 2022 to 2024, teems with the promise of unearthing secrets and techniques lengthy buried beneath the waves.
As soon as extra, the enchanting island reveals its deep-rooted significance within the Aegean tapestry by means of the ages, as latest analysis discoveries convey to gentle. Amongst these revelations, a fascinating Roman shipwreck relationship again to the 2nd-Third century AD emerges, marking the tenth treasure unearthed by the exploratory group in Kasos.
The waters round Kasos, silent witnesses to centuries of historical past, are slowly yielding their tales, promising a future brilliant with discovery.
We’ve not too long ago sat down with Xanthie Argiris Director, NHRC of The Kasos Maritime Archaeological Project to be taught extra about these groundbreaking discoveries.
FMTTM: How was the primary part of the mission initiated and the way lengthy did it take to convey the mission to life? (Right here you may point out something vital about why your group particularly went to that place to start out excavations, and the way lengthy it took to get the funding to start out the mission.)
XA: Our mission underwent rigorous planning and strategic decision-making in its first part. After intensive analysis, we selected Kasos as the place to begin for our survey attributable to its strategic location alongside historical maritime routes and its potential to yield beneficial insights into maritime historical past.
Bringing the mission to life was a fancy endeavour that required securing funding and assets. It took appreciable effort and time to acquire the required monetary help, interact stakeholders, and assemble a multidisciplinary group geared up for underwater excavations. Regardless of the challenges, our group remained devoted, pushed by a shared ardour for maritime archaeology. After a lot perseverance, we had been in a position to efficiently convey this mission to fruition.
FMTTM: Are there plans to proceed with stage three of the mission within the close to future or is it too quickly to inform?
XA: In 2024, our mission will transition to the neighbouring island of Karpathos, marking a brand new part of exploration and discovery. Constructing on the insights gained from our work in Kasos, we’re desirous to develop our analysis to Karpathos, one other essential node alongside historical maritime routes. This transfer represents a pure development in our quest to unravel the area’s maritime historical past. Collaborating with the scholarly group stays paramount as we proceed to analyse information and disseminate our outcomes. Moreover, we’re planning to publish the information collected in Kasos in an edited quantity entitled “Kasos: Crusing within the Southeastern Aegean”.
© Kasos Venture/NHRF-EUA, picture by Nikos Koukoulas
FMTTM: What did you discover on the seabed of Kasos and from these discoveries what will we be taught concerning the historical past of Kasos?
XA: Throughout our underwater survey, we discovered ten shipwrecks spanning from the Hellenistic interval to the early twentieth century. These wrecks yielded various cargoes, resembling pottery, amphorae, anchors, and cannons, offering tangible proof of the island’s lively commerce networks and cultural exchanges. Curiously, regardless of Kasos’s difficult geography, we’ve recognized short-term anchorages, highlighting its strategic significance as a shelter alongside historical maritime routes. The distribution of finds additionally tells an interesting story—whereas some durations are nicely represented, just like the Classical period, others, such because the Late Roman and early Byzantine durations, are conspicuously scarce, suggesting shifting maritime dynamics over time. Moreover, discoveries dated between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries underscore Kasos’s continued engagement in maritime actions, providing a glimpse into its fashionable maritime heritage. The underwater finds paint a vivid image of Kasos’s pivotal position as a maritime crossroads contributing to the trade of products and cultures all through the ages.
© Kasos Venture/NHRF-EUA, picture by Nikos Koukoulas
FMTTM: One of the crucial outstanding discoveries from the 2022 interval of excavations is an remoted artifact relationship again to the Third millennium BC. The hand-made utilitarian vessel is the oldest recorded discover ever retrieved from the depths of the Dodecanese. Will these discoveries be accessible to the general public?
XA: We’re at the moment working with the Municipality of Kasos to establish an acceptable location for storing the artifacts that had been uncovered throughout our underwater mission on the island of Kasos. I strongly consider that it’s essential to maintain artifacts within the place the place they had been found to protect their historic context. Nonetheless, the artifacts from K3, which is a Byzantine shipwreck relationship again to the Eighth-Ninth centuries, have been chosen to be displayed within the upcoming Nationwide Museum of Maritime Archaeology in Piraeus.
This choice ensures that the artifacts found in Kasos stay accessible to the general public, enriching their understanding and appreciation of the island’s historical past and cultural heritage. Furthermore, showcasing the finds from the Byzantine shipwreck on the Museum of Maritime Archaeology in Piraeus won’t solely contribute to the broader promotion and preservation of Greece’s maritime heritage but additionally present a central location for guests to discover and be taught concerning the area’s seafaring historical past.
© Kasos Venture/NHRF-EUA, picture by L.Tsetkov
FMTTM: Has this necessary discovery contributed to the promotion of Kasos island internationally? Do you see a rise in guests drawn to go to the island following these necessary excavations?
XA: The underwater survey performed on Kasos island has gained worldwide consideration and helped promote the island’s historic and cultural significance. Our efforts to advertise Kasos island by means of varied channels, together with social media, educational conferences, publications, collaborations, and European and nationwide packages, have resulted not directly, maybe, in a rise in tourism. This inflow of tourists not solely advantages the local people economically but additionally helps unfold consciousness of the island’s wealthy historical past and heritage to a world viewers.
To be taught extra about this distinctive mission you may go to the official web site: https://kasosproject.com/en/
Cowl picture © Kasos Venture/NHRF-EUA, picture by Nikos Koukoulas.
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