An international team of underwater archaeologists uncovered remains of a submerged port structure near the ancient city of Asini in Argolis, Greece. The discoveries provide insights into the port's infrastructure, including a large artificial plateau that has retained its original shape, as well as numerous amphorae fragments and assorted artifacts.
Under the leadership of Dr. Panagiota Galiatsatou, who coordinated the Greek side of the project, the team examined a key area of the submerged harbor off the shores of Kastraki beach. Their exploration revealed remains of a large port facility, as reported by The National Herald.
The latest excavation campaign focused on a 16-square-meter section of the northwestern edge of the submerged artificial plateau. Architectural remains indicative of the ancient port's infrastructure were uncovered, including "rooms and building structures" that appear to be parts of houses, according to Finestre sull'Arte.
Notable finds include fragments of amphorae, ceramic pieces, and a broken vessel discovered in excavation sector 4A. Ostraca from amphorae were found embedded within the stone structures.
Analysis of the recovered finds could provide key elements for understanding the period of use and eventual abandonment of the site. Archaeologists are hopeful that these ancient fragments can help determine the age of the port.
The team documented the site through high-resolution photogrammetry, allowing for detailed three-dimensional models of the submerged structures. This technique enables more accurate reconstruction of the structure's original appearance.
Researchers have been exploring the waters just east of Tolo since 2021, with initial surveying followed by a five-year program that began in 2022. This program includes ongoing excavations on the artificial plateau.
The amphorae fragments were likely left while the port was still in use or at the time it was abandoned, suggesting they were deposited during the use phase of the port or during its decline.
Each find will be documented in situ by photogrammetry and advanced 3D imaging techniques. This allows scholars to more accurately reconstruct the structure's original appearance and create high-precision models that facilitate further analysis without disturbing the original context of the artifacts.
The next phase of the research involves careful sediment removal, both by hand and through controlled dredging, to uncover additional structural elements.
Early studies conducted in 2021 and 2022 revealed the presence of a large artificial harbor near the site of Kastraki, located a short distance from the present village of Tolo. The main structure consists of a vast artificial plateau, now submerged, which shows signs of buildings that can be traced back to rooms or dwellings.
The research will continue with additional excavations on the artificial plateau to obtain more precise data on the site's chronology, according to Finestre sull'Arte.
Greek myth states that the region near Asini was first populated by the Dryopes, an ancient tribe driven out by Hercules.
Asini and the surrounding archaeological settlement were inhabited as far back as the prehistoric era, before ancient Greece as we know it.
Greek myth states that the region near Asini was first populated by the Dryopes, an ancient tribe driven out by Hercules.
It has been difficult for researchers to determine when the port facility was constructed and used, as many questions remain about the port and the larger ancient city of Asini.
The team investigating the submerged structures included underwater architect Ekaterini Tagonidou, underwater engineer Themistoklis Troupakis, Jens Lindström of the Nordic Maritime Group, and Staffan von Arbin of the University of Gothenburg, as reported by Finestre sull'Arte. Ann-Louise Schallin, scientific director of Stockholm University, and Niklas Eriksson, field director of Stockholm University, provided scientific direction for the Swedish side. The mission is a collaboration between the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, the Swedish Institute in Athens, Stockholm University, the University of Gothenburg, and the Nordic Maritime Group.
The results of the study will be published in the scientific journal Opuscula, edited by the Swedish Institutes in Athens and Rome, as well as in other international academic publications focused on archaeology and maritime studies.
Asini was an important city during the Mycenaean era (1750-1050 BCE) and continued to flourish as other Bronze Age settlements collapsed. Archaeologists believe that humans first settled in the area around the sixth millennium BCE.
Asini eventually recovered and was occupied during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Many of the ancient ruins at the site were destroyed by Italian forces during World War II.
Future operations will involve manual incisions at the top of the structure, with sediment removal through dredging. The area was chosen because of the excellent state of preservation of the structure, which appears to have retained much of its original conformation, as reported by Finestre sull'Arte.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
