A diving robot from the Energean company has discovered a perfectly preserved Bronze Age shipwreck at a depth of 1,800 meters deep in the Mediterranean Sea.
An Ancient Time Capsule
During a routine drilling operation, Energean, a natural gas company off the northern coast of Israel, found the 3,300-year-old shipwreck 1,800 meters below the surface of the Mediterranean Sea, Interesting Engineering reported on June 21. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) declared it to be the oldest intact shipwreck ever found in such deep water. The discovery also marks one of the earliest examples of long-distance seafaring and challenges earlier assumptions about ancient seafaring prowess.
Exceptional Preservation
The significance of the find lies not only in its age but also in its location. According to Jacob Sharvit, the IAA's director of marine archaeology, the vessel's considerable distance from land indicates that ancient mariners were more advanced navigators than previously thought. Before this discovery, scholars believed that during the late Bronze Age, sailors mainly stuck to coastal waters, where land was always within sight. This allowed them to navigate between ports based on visual landmarks.
The ship, which measures between 12 and 14 meters in length, is surrounded by dozens of ancient amphorae. It sank about 90 kilometers from the Israeli coast. The vessel and its cargo have been remarkably well-preserved in the deep sea, protected from the waves and currents that often destroy shipwrecks closer to the surface.
Underwater Exploration
Energean stumbled upon the ship using a diving robot. The company employed a high-tech device called a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with cameras and bright lights to peer into the漆黑一片的 deep, dark waters. Controlled from a ship on the surface, the ROV carefully maneuvered around the wreck, capturing video footage for archaeologists to study.
Last year, while conducting a routine survey, the ROV sent the IAA images of a cluster of amphorae. These late Bronze Age jars, which likely held honey, olive oil, and resin, provided vital clues about the ship's cargo. Using its robotic arm, the ROV retrieved two amphorae, one from each end of the vessel, both of which were filled with sediment.
Understanding the Past
According to the IAA, ancient Egyptians also used resin to seal wine, perfume, and varnishes. The IAA and Energean will continue to study the wreck, including extracting and examining the sediment inside the amphorae, to learn more about ancient Mediterranean trade routes and seafaring practices.
Summary
The discovery of the oldest intact shipwreck in the deep sea challenges previous assumptions about ancient seafaring capabilities. The vessel and its cargo, remarkably preserved in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, provide a unique glimpse into long-distance trade and navigation practices during the late Bronze Age.