Kasos: 10 shipwrecks dating back to 3000 BC discovered.

An archaeological survey carried out in the offshore area of ​​Kasos Island revealed ten shipwrecks and important individual finds dating back to the prehistoric period (3000 BC), the classical period (460 BC), the Hellenistic period period (100 BC – 100 AD), Roman period (200 BC – 300 AD) and Byzantine period (800-900 AD .e.).

The research team of the National Foundation for Hellenic Research, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, carried out four research expeditions to areas of special interest, using archaeological and historical evidence, sources, testimonies and reports on the island of Kasos, starting with Homer’s Iliad and ending with the modern period.

The finds have been recorded and documented using modern scientific methods, and samples of archaeological objects have been selected, the study of which offers new information and archaeological data, aspects of the history of Kasos and the rich cultural heritage of the Mediterranean. The sunken remains of ancient ships carrying goods from Spain, Italy, Africa and the coast of Asia Minor were discovered by an interdisciplinary team of Greek and foreign researchers and professors, diving archaeologists, historians, architects, surveyors, conservators, geologists, biologists, artisans, graduate students, doctoral students, postdocs and other specialists.

The research culminated in 2023 with a fourth scientific expedition between 10 and 26 October, which focused on documenting archaeological material. Using state-of-the-art technology, more than 20,000 underwater photographs have been taken and used to study and compile digital images of wrecks and finds, providing a wealth of primary data to the international scientific community. A thorough study of the material at a depth of 20 to 47 meters made it possible to discover unique finds, including:

• Spanish Dressel 20 type amphora with a seal on the handle, dating from 150-170. AD,
• drinking vessels,
• flasks from terra sigillatadating back to the Roman period and of African origin,
• archaic period stone anchor
• other important archaeological finds.

At the same time, mapping and bathymetry of the Kasos-Karpathos reef and the Karpatholimnion area using side-scan sonar was carried out for the first time. Finally, the remains of a modern shipwreck, probably from World War II, were discovered. This is a wooden boat with metal elements, the size of which is 25-30 m.

Underwater exploration in Kasos is the subject of an original film produced by AORI FILMS entitled “Dive into the History of the Aegean Sea”. The film has already been selected for competition at leading international archaeological film festivals, including The Archaeology Channel International Film Festival in America and the Firenze Archeofilm Festival in Europe.

An assessment of the research, supplemented by original research by historians, archaeologists, conservationists and other scholars, will be the subject of a foreign language volume that the National Research Foundation plans to publish in late 2024. In June, it is planned to extend the study to the Karpathos marine area, which is a single geographical entity with Kasos.

The research project (2019-2023) is funded by the Municipality of the Heroic Island of Kasos, TERNA ENERGY, Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, Cassian Brotherhood of America, MaP Ltd, Hellenic Supermarkets Sklavenitis SA, Carton Hoye, Baltic Exchange Charitable Foundation, TEKAL SA, REVOIL SA, Trip Tailors SA and private individuals.

The study was supported by the Municipality of Heroes Kasos Island, Asso.subsea, HELLENiQ ENERGY, Blue Star Ferries, Apnea, MaP, Hellenic Cables, Aquatec, Eurobrokers and the environment and climate change organization OFYPEKA.

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