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muriel_volestrangler

(101,320 posts)
Tue Oct 23, 2018, 10:13 AM Oct 2018

World's oldest intact shipwreck discovered in Black Sea

Archaeologists have found what they believe to be the world’s oldest intact shipwreck at the bottom of the Black Sea where it appears to have lain undisturbed for more than 2,400 years.

The 23-metre (75ft) vessel, thought to be ancient Greek, was discovered with its mast, rudders and rowing benches all present and correct just over a mile below the surface. A lack of oxygen at that depth preserved it, the researchers said.

“A ship surviving intact from the classical world, lying in over 2km of water, is something I would never have believed possible,” said Professor Jon Adams, the principal investigator with the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project (MAP), the team that made the find. “This will change our understanding of shipbuilding and seafaring in the ancient world.”
...
The team reportedly said they intended to leave the vessel where it was found, but added that a small piece had been carbon dated by the University of Southampton and claimed the results “confirmed [it] as the oldest intact shipwreck known to mankind”. The team said the data would be published at the Black Sea MAP conference at the Wellcome Collection in London later this week.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/oct/23/oldest-intact-shipwreck-thought-to-be-ancient-greek-discovered-at-bottom-of-black-sea
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World's oldest intact shipwreck discovered in Black Sea (Original Post) muriel_volestrangler Oct 2018 OP
Very interesting. Thanks. dameatball Oct 2018 #1
"Planning to leave it intact wher it lies"... good, but I hope they can keep the location secure hlthe2b Oct 2018 #2
Not many people can dive 6561' deep. JayhawkSD Oct 2018 #3
For now... hlthe2b Oct 2018 #4
At that depth, it's safe from divers. But not ROVs or submarines. LakeSuperiorView Oct 2018 #8
The Titanic wreck was completely plundered using Russian submersibles. LastLiberal in PalmSprings Oct 2018 #9
ancient greek captain: BigGermanGuy Oct 2018 #5
Oh God,.. was he drunk like the Exxon Valdez guy ? magicarpet Oct 2018 #10
Love stories like this. Thanks for posting! Mrs. Overall Oct 2018 #6
Here's a pic of it BumRushDaShow Oct 2018 #7
Jeez,.. it looks like it sank last week. magicarpet Oct 2018 #11
It's possible, like you see happening around the rest of the world BumRushDaShow Oct 2018 #12
Wow!!! BlancheSplanchnik Oct 2018 #13
Fantastic story, fantastic find! Nitram Oct 2018 #14
 

LakeSuperiorView

(1,533 posts)
8. At that depth, it's safe from divers. But not ROVs or submarines.
Tue Oct 23, 2018, 11:47 AM
Oct 2018

The deepest divers are military and it's classified how low the can go. The biggest danger to this wreck is well funded treasure hunters using ROVs to go after artifacts.

9. The Titanic wreck was completely plundered using Russian submersibles.
Tue Oct 23, 2018, 12:07 PM
Oct 2018

Thinking an object can't be salvaged (or destroyed, in this case, since the boat is intact and just exposing it to the air will start the decomposition process) just because it's deep underwater is underestimating the profit motive.

They're already planning to send tourists to see the Apollo 11 landing site, if not personally then by using virtual reality and a rover. Any bets on how long Armstrong's "First Step on the Moon" will last once tourists show up and want selfies next to it?

BumRushDaShow

(129,053 posts)
12. It's possible, like you see happening around the rest of the world
Tue Oct 23, 2018, 02:01 PM
Oct 2018

that storms coming across that area may have been more frequent and/or more intense in recent years, and that may have churned up the silt and uncovered some of these vessels.

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