The underwater world is mysterious and keeps many secrets in its depths. People will always strive to discover them. The myth of Atlantis keeps dreamers and explorers awake. The lithosphere is in constant motion, with fluctuations in the earth's crust, entire cities and islands can sink into the seas. Underwater archeology is the study of underwater history. The goals of underwater excavations are the same as those of any other archaeological excavations - this is the search for ancient artifacts that can give an idea of the culture, life, traditions, architecture of the people who lived in a particular area.
What is underwater excavation?
Underwater archeology (hydroarchaeology) is a young science that studies underwater relics. The main difference from terrestrial archeology is the place of study: seas, oceans, lakes and rivers. The conditions under which archaeologists have to work are not only difficult, but alsodangerous. In addition, immersion of a person under water with scuba gear became possible a little more than half a century ago. Even with scuba gear, a person cannot dive deep enough and stay under water for a long period of time. It is not uncommon to have to excavate in hard-to-reach places, performing the most difficult dives.
Subject of Study
During its existence, two main currents have formed in hydroarchaeology:
- archaeology of navigation, which deals with the problems of studying sunken ships, their design, cultural cargo and human activities in the development of water expanses;
- archeology of sunken cities; this branch is engaged in the study of people's settlements sunk as a result of natural sinking or disasters, their culture, life, traditions.
Description of the excavation technique
Carrying out underwater archaeological excavations consists of several stages:
- Intelligence. This stage consists in the collection of knowledge contained in written sources, which makes it possible to make an assumption about the location of the artifacts. This is followed by hydrological studies of the water area in the proposed excavation site and obtaining all necessary permits. Survey of local residents about the remains of cities or ancient ships. Underwater archeology begins with the analysis of all possible sources: oral, written, study of the area.
- Cartographic research. They are mainly used for distant objects of study. If the excavation sitemore than 200 meters from the coast, it is necessary to conduct additional studies of the area using optical observation devices under water, laser or infrared monitoring mechanisms of the seabed.
- Study. Previously, during the period of the birth of archaeological excavations, objects and material and cultural values stored at the bottom were randomly brought ashore, and their further study continued in laboratories. Today, the approach to excavation has changed. Before the extraction of artifacts, a detailed map of their location at the bottom is drawn up. This may give additional clues to scientists.
- The rise of values. Above in the photo is underwater archeology in action: divers are raising artifacts from the bottom.
History
The secrets of cities and ships that have sunk into the depths of the sea have been haunting the minds of people for centuries. The first attempts to explore marine finds were made a long time ago. Mentions of diving for underwater treasures can be found in the Renaissance. During this period, terrestrial archeology begins its formation as a science, along with it, the first attempts at underwater exploration appear. It is known that in 1446 L. Alberti attracted divers to raise valuables from sunken ships of the Roman Empire from Lake Nemi (near Rome).
The history of modern hydroarchaeology began relatively recently. In fact, the first underwater archaeological excavations can be considered the study by the Greek military of a ship that sank near the islandAntikythera around the first century BC. In 1901, the artifacts were raised to the surface, among them were priceless works of art. The famous explorer Jacques Yves Cousteau called this event the birth of underwater archeology, and he called the Mediterranean Sea the cradle of science.
After the invention of scuba gear, the history of underwater exploration has developed rapidly. Today, there are several major museums of underwater research.
Findings
It is difficult to overestimate the contribution of underwater excavations to the study of human history, many finds are not only of historical but also cultural value for all mankind. Among the most famous finds of underwater archeology are:
"Cleopatra's Palace" in Egypt. It is the ruins of an ancient building. According to scientists, this building was the palace of the famous Cleopatra, who went under water as a result of a powerful earthquake that occurred more than 1,5 thousand years ago. Two statues located in the palace (the statue of Ptolemy XII and the Sphinx) were brought to the surface for study, but later returned under the water at the urging of the Egyptian authorities, who plan to create an underwater museum on the site
- Bronze figure "Apollo from Piombino", discovered in Tuscany. It is a monument of late archaic culture, dating back to 500 BC. Exhibited at the Louvre Museum, Paris.
- "Statue of a bearded god" (presumably Poseidon or Zeus), found at Cape Artemision (Aegean Sea)underwater divers. This bronze monument of ancient culture is perfectly preserved and dates back to 450 BC. The statue is on display at the "National Archaeological Museum" in Athens.
"Tiber Apollo" - a marble sculpture found in the Tiber River. Scientists agree that the figure of Apollo is the work of one of the famous ancient sculptors, but the hand of which particular master the work belongs to remains a matter of controversy
Exploring Ancient Cities
Underwater archeology of ancient settlements occupies a special place in hydroarchaeology. In book sources, it is sometimes possible to find references to entire cities that have sunk to the seabed as a result of natural disasters. Based on these and other sources, scientists are able to suggest the possible location of the ancient settlements, after which an underwater study of the area is carried out. And over the past hundred years, several large settlements have been discovered that have sunk to the bottom. You can see some of the finds in this video.
- Port Royal. The former capital of Jamaica, known as the Sin City of the New World, sank to the bottom of Kingston Harbor in a matter of minutes in June 1692. The strongest earthquake literally broke off a huge piece of land, which went completely under water along with all its inhabitants and buildings. Underwater exploration of Port Royal began in 1981. As a result, unique data were obtained about the life of the colonial city of the 17th century, the life of its inhabitants. Scientists involved in the study of artifacts were surprised how well the organic finds were preserved.
- Temple complex in Mahabalipuram (India). According to legend, the complex of seven temples was built by the Paplava dynasty, but for some reason six and seven temples went under water. Only one remained on the beach. Until recently, there was no evidence for this. But as a result of underwater archaeological excavations carried out in 2002, ruins and ancient masonry were discovered under water, which makes it possible to assume that these are the ruins of the famous seven temples.
- Pavlopetri city in Greece. According to scientists, the city belongs to the Mycenaean period of history. At the bottom, not only architectural structures, such as houses or courtyards, were found, but also more than 35 burials. Despite the fact that the city was discovered in 1968, the Greek government granted permission to scientists only in 2008. As a result, it was possible to describe all the remains of the city. Thanks to this, scientists can take a fresh look at the life and life of people of that period.
List of museums
There are only a few underwater museums in the world so far. Since this science is young and is just beginning to develop, the number of finds does not always allow organizing full-fledged expositions. Many museums limit themselves to presenting underwater finds as part of other collections.
The largest and most interesting museums of underwater archeology to visit:
- Mizgaga Museum in Kibbutz Nakhsholim (Israel);
- National Museum ARQUA in Cartagena (Spain);
- Museum of Underwater Archeology of Feodosiya in Crimea (Russia);
- museum of shipwrecks in the city of Kronstadt (Russia);
- Bodrum Underwater Museum in Bodrum (Turkey).
In 2013, it became known that the Greek government approved the project to open a museum of underwater antiquities. The idea was initiated by the Council of Underwater Antiquities of Greece. It is assumed that on the territory of the former silo in the city of Piraeus (a building of about 6.5 thousand m22) about 2 thousand exhibits raised to the surface from the bottom of the Mediterranean, Ionian and Aegean seas will be exhibited.
Museum in Bodrum
The Museum of Underwater Archeology in Bodrum (Turkey) is internationally renowned for its vast display and cultural significance of the discovered items.
As part of the project, archaeological finds relating to different periods of the life of the settlement are exhibited, in addition, you can get acquainted with the remains of ancient ships and their contents. The museum itself is located in the building of St. Peter's Castle. There are six permanent exhibitions.
The first thing tourists need to visit is the Underwater Amphorae Park. It is hard to imagine, but some of these clay pots managed to survive the shipwreck and reach our days. In addition, you can find many positive user reviews about the exposition dedicated to the Carian princess Ada. The museum has a whole room for her jewelry and household items.
No less interestthe glass hall of shipwrecks also evokes, in which objects found at the bottom along with the remains of shipwrecked ships are presented. But the main attraction for tourists is the deck layout of a sunken ship, where you can walk and feel like an ancient inhabitant. If you wish, you can watch interactive materials and study the process of raising antiquities to the surface. In 2018, the museum can only be viewed from the outside, as it is closed for restoration.
Museum in Kronstadt
There are no analogues to the museum of underwater archeology in Kronstadt. This is the only shipwreck museum in the world. It is located in the former building of the water tower. Outwardly, this very beautiful building in the style of classicism resembles rather a Gothic cathedral.
The main exhibits of the exhibition were collected for the museum thanks to the Russian Underwater Heritage project. Visitors to the museum who left reviews on the Internet recommend it for visiting. There is a particularly large response around the remains of the Portsmouth, Svir, Archangel Raphael, Emblem and Gangut ships that sank in the B altic Sea. You can see not only the parts of the ships, but also their cargoes: guns, anchors, cannonballs and much more.
The museum opened its doors to visitors only in 2009, and its collection will continue to grow along with the development of underwater research in Russia.
Museum in Feodosia
One of the largest museums of underwater archeology is located in Feodosia, on the territory of the former dacha of Stamboli. It is also a branchBlack Sea Center for Underwater Research. Most of the exhibits of the museum were raised from the bottom of the Black Sea. Here you can learn about the life and life of the ancient city of Acre, called the Crimean Atlantis. The city went under water around the 4th century BC. But it was only possible to find it in 1982 thanks to the discovery of a schoolboy on the Black Sea coast.
In addition, in the museum you can see the exposition of sunken ships, learn the secret of the "Black Prince" and delve into the history of the development of underwater research in Russia. Reviews about visiting the museum are good, users note that the tour will be interesting for both children and adults. The time period that the exhibits cover varies from the ancient period to the finds from the Second World War.
Museum in Cartagena
The National Museum of Underwater Archeology in Cartagena is the most visited museum dedicated to underwater exploration in the world. Its doors opened in 1982, and since then the exhibition has been constantly updated with new exhibits raised from the bottom of the coast of Cartagena.
The most valuable exhibits are considered to be an ancient Phoenician ship and tusks recovered from a sunken merchant ship, and exhibits from the Mare Ibericum collection, which testify to the development of trade in this area.
