Greece has opened the world’s first underwater museum! The wreck of the Peristera, a cargo ship loaded with thousands of pottery amphorae, sank in the Agean Sea near Alonissos Island around 500 B.C.E. The find is important because it changed our understanding of ancient shipbuilding, as this cargo ship was much larger than any were thought to be at that time, carrying 4,000 vases, probably containing wine. It’s not clear why the vessel sank, though there are indications of fire. Piracy? An accidental blaze? The site is 92 feet deep, and there are virtual tours available for those unable to make the dives. The museum won first prize in all of Europe for “Innovation & Digitalization in Sustainable Cultural Tourism/Smart Destinations.”
The plans are to gradually open several more ancient shipwrecks to the public over the next few years.
The photo’s included because it reminds me of the Poseidon-vs-Zeus debate from Submerged Hopes, but it’s not at the site of the Peristera shipwreck, and this statue is clearly Poseidon, with his trident.
Here’s a link with some details: https://www.afar.com/magazine/long-off-limits-ancient-greek-shipwreck-opens-to-divers-as-underwater-museum
Looks like I have a new item on my bucket list!
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