Ενάλια αρχαιολογική έρευνα στον Αργοσαρωνικό, 2006-2007 (Underwater Archaeological Research in the Argosaronic Gulf, 2006-2007)

Χρήστος Σ. Αγουρίδης Enalia. The journal of the Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology XI (2012): 70-85.

Abstract

During the previous research campaigns (2003 and 2005), the cargo of a Late Bronze shipwreck was located and documented on the north steep bottom of the islet of Modi (Poros). It consists mainly of large transport vessels (pithoi and jars), some of them intact and most of them in fragmentary condition.

During the underwater research of the years 2006 and 2007 a variety of methods was used in order to document all the finds exposed on the seabed more thoroughly. An overview of the whole site of the wreck was created using both conventional multi-tape trilateration methods combined with depth measurements, as well as the SHARPS (Sonic High Accuracy Ranging and Positioning System) after improvements on its software and hardware by Bruce Hartzler and MarkosGarras. Furthermore, a photomosaic of the site was created in order to have a general overview of the site. A parallelogram perimeter was created around the main finds with the use of iron rods and rope. All surface finds were documented with reference to the fixed points of that original perimeter named “Α. Β, Γ. Δ. Ε. Ζ. Η. Θ”. Results were exported on Autocad 3D environment. These two methods of recording were overlaid, in order to acquire a complete site plan of the wreck, as well as to compare the results for research purposes. The positioning of the wreck was also geo-referenced through the fixed points of the perimeter using global GIS referencing system.

Exposed finds were raised to surface and stored to the conservation laboratory of the Department of Underwater Antiquities, where desalination and conservation process has immediately started. Moreover, measures were taken to protect the finds that remained on the sea bed as they were partly buried and concreted to the bed rock. Preliminary study verified that the finds (mainly pithoi and jars) constitute the cargo of a ship dated to LH III B-C period (13th-12th c. BC). It is chronologically connected with the LBA settlement excavated on the slopes of Modi. The wreck is of great importance and a full scale underwater excavation planned by HIMA will bring more light on a very important period for Aegean prehistory.

South east from the location of the wreck, where access to the island is easier, u/w survey revealed many scattered finds from different periods, such as pottery fragments, stone anchors of various types, a led anchor stock and a pile of ballast stones In the pottery assemblage located in this area Late Bronze Age and Early Byzantine sherds predominate.