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2,300-year-old shipwreck discovered in Cyprus
2025-04-09 07:33:59 / MISTERE&KURIOZITETE
In 1965, a diving instructor, Andreas Cariolu, discovered a shipwreck off the coast of Cyprus that would later become one of the most important archaeological finds in history. The discovery, now known as the Kyrenia Shipwreck, has fascinated archaeologists for decades. Recently, a team of scientists has used advanced techniques to determine the exact age of the ship, revealing that it sank around 2,300 years ago, providing new insights into ancient seafaring and Mediterranean trade.
This exciting development was described in a study published in PLOS ONE, which used cutting-edge methods such as radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology. These techniques have not only confirmed the approximate date of the sinking, but have also overcome many challenges that had previously hindered accurate dating. The discovery of the ship and its contents give us a unique view of ancient maritime technology and the types of goods that were traded across the ancient Mediterranean.
The Kyrenia, which was originally 14 meters long, is believed to have been a merchant ship, carrying goods such as wine, olive oil and almonds – essential products for the daily life and trade of the Mediterranean world. Researchers found almost 400 amphorae – large storage jars used in ancient times to transport liquids and dry goods – on board the wreck. These everyday products tell a story of humble merchants, not royal elites, transporting goods over great distances.
The location of the shipwreck off the coast of Cyprus, combined with the types of cargo it was carrying, also provides valuable clues about ancient trade routes. Wine and olive oil, in particular, were major commodities of the time, suggesting that the Kyrenia ship was part of a thriving Mediterranean trade network.
The new study, which reexamined the age and contents of the wreck, used the latest scientific methods to refine the date of the shipwreck. While previous estimates placed the shipwreck around 300 BC, new techniques have narrowed the time frame, providing a more precise date.
“We are excited to apply scientific techniques to date the famous Kyrenia shipwreck to just over 2,300 years ago,” the authors said. “Central to the history of ship technology and maritime trade in the classical Mediterranean, the methods we used to date the ship – and the solutions to the various technical challenges we had to overcome – will now help date other shipwrecks and better inform the history of ancient seafaring.”
These advances in scientific dating provide not only a clearer picture of the Kyrenia sinking itself, but also open the door to further exploration of other ancient shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, helping to reconstruct the broader history of ancient maritime trade, technology and cultures.
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