Normally stories about the ocean absolutely terrify us, but this time a new discovery deep below the surface has left us absolutely awed. Researchers have found a never-before-seen shipwreck of an Ancient Greek vessel that dates back a whopping 2,500 years.
The world’s oldest intact shipwreck has been pulled from the depths of the Black Sea. Archaeologists say it dates back to 500 BC.
For more on this discovery, head here: https://t.co/WQ7G2ComNc pic.twitter.com/hU9zXjFYra
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 23, 2018
In a truly remarkable story we came across at Sky News, after years of investigation, the Black Sea Maritime Archaeological Project found a bevy of 72 sunken ships off the shore of Bulgaria, and carbon dating has placed the oldest one among them all the way back to roughly 500 B.C. That first-of-its-kind find would be remarkable enough, but not only has the oxygen-free water left the 75-foot trading vessel nearly completely intact—with its rudders, mast, rowing benches, rope, and even monkfish bones from an onboard meal visible to the point it looks like it only recently went under—but no one has ever seen one of these boats before outside of ancient drawings.
Incredible shipwreck find off Bulgarian shore, complete with rowing benches! Euripides speaks of sailors’ terror of the coast of what was then Salmydessus in Thrace. https://t.co/T8kbVAgToC? pic.twitter.com/RaE1XW08Ln
— Edith Hall (@edithmayhall) October 23, 2018
This is like seeing Odysseus’ ship from The Odyssey. It’s possible vital goods were transported to Athens on this ship during the Persian War.
So cool. Ancient shipwreck discovered in the Black Sea. Similar in design to the Odysseus ship on the famous Siren Vase. It’s also 50 miles off shore: they were not just coast-huggers.https://t.co/KJOz1iGVD7 pic.twitter.com/GGywpcnfvq
— Peter Sandham (@HKSandham) October 23, 2018
No surprise the find has already begun to offer all new insights into ancient shipbuilding.
“It gives us completely new insight into the shipbuilding and seafaring of the ancient world.”
Jon Adams, from the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project, on the discovery of the world’s oldest intact shipwreck.
Find out more about the discovery here: https://t.co/yGklInqDf0 pic.twitter.com/lIPPmoKOHr
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 23, 2018
The world’s oldest intact shipwreck has been pulled from the depths of the Black Sea. Archaeologists say it dates back to 500 BC.
For more on this discovery, head here: https://t.co/WQ7G2ComNc pic.twitter.com/hU9zXjFYra
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 23, 2018
We’re so excited by this we’re not even going to make a joke about how this could turn into a real horror story due to the fact that ancient bacteria in the ship’s wood have also survived thanks to the Black Sea’s waters. This is one time the ocean is too awesome to terrify us.
Is this the coolest thing ever found in the ocean? Share your favorite deep sea discoveries with us in the comments below.
Featured Image: Black Sea Maritime Archaeological Project
