The sunlit waters of the Mediterranean Sea with their gentle breezes have long been a paradise for tourists, a stark contrast to the potential for violent storms feared by ancient mariners navigating its expanse. Historically, these sailors were believed to stick to coastlines, navigating by terrestrial landmarks due to the unpredictable nature of the sea. However, the recent shipwreck discoveries made by UNESCO’s multi-year mission in the Mediterranean have challenged the long-standing perception that ancient seafarers only relied on coastal navigation.
During the Open Seas
These discoveries attest to the daring ventures of early merchants who braved the open seas, hoping to make profits from trading goods like wine and olive oil. The expedition, comprised of scientists from Algeria, Croatia, Egypt, France, Italy, Morocco, Spain, and Tunisia, explored the Sicilian Channel onboard the research vessel Alfred Merlin, operated by the Department of Underwater and Submarine Archaeological Research (DRASSM) of the French Ministry of Culture. Their mission revealed that early mariners frequently sailed beyond sight of land, illustrating that such ventures were routine in ancient times.
Technological Aids in Discoveries
Utilizing advanced technologies like remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) and multibeam sonar, the underwater archaeologists have been able to explore and map seafloors, discovering shipwrecks that date from antiquity to modern times in places like the treacherous Skerki Banks off Tunisia. These new-age tools allow researchers to go beyond the limitations of scuba diving, enabling the exploration of deeper and more perilous underwater terrains that were previously inaccessible.
Unraveling Ancient Economies
The locations and cargoes of the discovered shipwrecks indicate a preference for direct, open-sea routes between Italy and North Africa over the presumed safer coastal routes, offering insights into the bold economic strategies of ancient merchants. This newfound knowledge sheds light on the workings of ancient economies, revealing the extent to which merchants were willing to risk in pursuit of profit.
Diverse Finds in Skerki Banks
The Skerki Banks, a notably dangerous yet largely unexplored area filled with rocks, hidden reefs, and shallow seafloors, presented potential for little finds. However, the researchers were pleasantly surprised to identify 24 new shipwrecks, ranging in dates and types, among hundreds that lie on the seafloor. These include a partially intact 60-foot-long Roman merchant ship, believed to have sunk over 2,000 years ago, and a 250-foot-long metal ship possibly dating from the late 19th or early 20th centuries, each offering their distinct pieces to the historical puzzle.
Protection and Preservation
The discovered shipwrecks and their cargo have mostly remained undisturbed over centuries, allowing a detailed and untainted look into maritime history. The regions around the wrecks will now fall under the protection of UNESCO’s 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, preventing any unauthorized interventions and looting, ensuring the preservation of these underwater relics for future research and study.
These discoveries, bolstered by advanced technological aids, are rewriting the perceived maritime practices of ancient civilizations, showcasing their audacity to traverse open seas for trade. The collaborative efforts under UNESCO not only emphasize the value of unified international research endeavors in underwater archaeology but also accentuate the vast, untapped historical wealth residing beneath the waters. These explorations are instrumental in shaping our understanding of ancient economies, trade routes, and cultural exchanges, and the preservation and continued exploration of such underwater sites will be paramount in unraveling more about our shared heritage.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media