NEWS

Pagasitic Gulf wrecks offer valuable findings

During the 2004 research period, we raised one amphora of several kinds from the cargo discovered in the shipwreck. Types 1, 3 and 4 belong to a group of amphora findings which date to the fourth century AD. The Type 2 amphora belong to a well-known group, the spherical ones belonging to the Aegean region. By judging the characteristics of their morphology, we could also date them with some certainty to the fourth century AD. The shipwreck of the Pagasitic Gulf is a rare and especially important find. It’s the first shipwreck of this period which is being researched in Greece. There are at least five different amphorae in the ship’s cargo, but from at least five different regions of production. One type of amphora in the cargo is just now becoming well known in archaeological research. Advancing the study of the amphorae could also show the route of the ship. The IENAE research group will resume archaeological research into the shipwreck in fall 2005. This shipwreck will illuminate the study of trade on the Greek seas when the capital of the empire transferred from Rome to Constantinople and the foundations of the Byzantine Empire were laid. Also, this research will show the important role the ports of the Pagasitic Gulf played in cultural and trade exchanges when the ancient world was ending. (1) Ilias Spondilis is an archaeologist and leads the Pagasitic shipwreck research team.

Subscribe to our Newsletters

Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights, opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox.

By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.