The underwater world is mysterious and keeps many secrets in its depths. People will always strive to reveal them. The myth of Atlantis keeps dreamers and explorers awake. The lithosphere is in constant motion, with the fluctuations of the earth's crust, entire cities and islands can plunge into the seas. Underwater history is studied underwater archeology. The objectives of the underwater excavations are the same as those of any other archaeological excavations - this is the search for artifacts of antiquity that can give an idea of the culture, life, traditions, architecture of people who lived in a particular area.
What is underwater excavation?
Underwater archeology (hydroarchaeology) is a young science that studies underwater relics. The main difference from terrestrial archeology is the place of study: seas, oceans, lakes and rivers. The conditions in which archaeologists have to work are not only difficult, but also dangerous. In addition, the immersion of a person under water with scuba diving became possible just over half a century ago. Even with scuba gear, a person cannot dive deep enough and be under water for a long period of time. It is not uncommon to excavate in inaccessible places, performing complex dives.
Subject of study
During its existence in hydroarcheology, two main trends have formed:
- archeology of navigation, which deals with the problems of the study of sunken ships, their design, cultural cargo and human activities for the development of water open spaces;
- archeology of sunken cities; this branch is engaged in the study of the settlements of people sunk as a result of natural sinking or catastrophes, their culture, life, traditions.
Excavation Method Description
Underwater archaeological excavation consists of several stages:
- Intelligence service. This stage consists in collecting knowledge, concluded in written sources, which make it possible to make an assumption about the whereabouts of artifacts. This is followed by hydrological studies of the water area at the proposed site for the excavation and obtaining all necessary permits. A survey of local residents about the remains of cities or ancient ships. Underwater archeology begins with an analysis of all possible sources: oral, written, and the study of the area.
- Cartographic research. Used primarily for distant objects of study. If the excavation site is more than 200 meters away from the coast, it is necessary to conduct additional research of the area using optical underwater observation devices, laser or infrared monitoring of the seabed.
- The study. Earlier, at the time of the archeological excavations, objects and material and cultural values stored at the bottom were unsystematically raised to the shore, and their further study continued in laboratories. Today, the approach to excavation has changed. Before extracting artifacts, a detailed map of their location at the bottom is compiled. This may provide additional information to scientists.
- The rise of values. Above in the photo is underwater archeology in action: divers are raising from the bottom of artifacts.
History
The secrets of cities and ships, plunged into the depths of the sea, excite the minds of people for centuries. The first attempts to explore marine finds have been made for a long time. Mention of diving for underwater treasures can be found in the Renaissance. In this period, terrestrial archeology begins to emerge as a science, and the first attempts at underwater exploration appear with it. It is known that L. Alberti attracted divers in 1446 to raise valuables from wrecks of the Roman Empire from Lake Nemi (the vicinity of Rome) .
The history of modern hydroarchaeology began relatively recently. In fact, the first underwater archaeological excavations include studies by the Greek military of a ship that sank near the island of Andikitira in about the first century BC. In 1901, artifacts were raised to the surface, among them were priceless art objects. This event, the famous researcher Jacques Yves Cousteau called the origin of underwater archeology, and he cradled the Mediterranean cradle of science.
After the invention of scuba gear, the history of underwater research is developing rapidly. Today, there are several large museums of underwater research.
Finds
It is difficult to overestimate the contribution of underwater excavations to the study of the history of mankind, many finds are not only historical, but also cultural value for all mankind. Among the most famous finds of underwater archeology are:
- "Cleopatra's Palace" in Egypt. It is the ruins of an ancient building. According to scientists, this building was the palace of the famous Cleopatra, which went under water as a result of a powerful earthquake that occurred more than 1.5 thousand years ago. Two statues located in the palace (a statue of Ptolemy XII and the Sphinx) were raised to the surface for study, but later returned to the water at the insistence of the Egyptian authorities, who plan to create an underwater museum in this place.
- The bronze figure Apollo of Piombino discovered in Tuscany. It is a monument of late archaic culture, dates back to 500 BC. Exhibited at the Louvre Museum, Paris.
- A “statue of a bearded god” (presumably Poseidon or Zeus), found at Cape Artemision (Aegean Sea) by underwater divers. This bronze monument of ancient culture is perfectly preserved and dates back to 450 BC. The statue is on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
- "Apollon of Tiber" - a marble sculpture found in the Tiber River. Scientists agree that the figure of Apollo is the work of one of the famous ancient sculptors, however, the hand of which particular artist owns the work remains the subject of controversy.
The study of ancient cities
Underwater archeology of ancient settlements occupies a special place in hydroarchaeology. In book sources, it is sometimes possible to find references to entire cities that have gone to the seabed as a result of natural disasters. Based on these and other sources, scientists are able to suggest the possible location of ancient settlements, after which an underwater study of the area is carried out. And over the past hundred years, several large settlements have been discovered that have sunk to the bottom. Some finds can be found in this video.
- Port Royal. The former capital of Jamaica, known as the New World Sin City, sank to the bottom of Kingston Harbor within a few minutes in June 1692. The strongest earthquake literally broke off a huge piece of land, which went entirely under water along with all its inhabitants and buildings. An underwater exploration of the Port Royal was launched in 1981. As a result, unique data were obtained on the life of the colonial city of the 17th century, the life of its inhabitants. Artifact researchers were surprised at how well preserved organic finds were.
- Temple complex in Mahabalipuram (India). According to legend, a complex of seven temples was built by the Paplav Dynasty, but for some reason six and seven temples went under water. Only one remained on the shore. Until recently, no evidence of this existed. But as a result of underwater archaeological excavations conducted in 2002 under the water, ruins and ancient masonry were discovered, which suggests that these are the ruins of the famous seven temples.
- The city of Pavlopetri in Greece. According to scientists, the city belongs to the Mycenaean period of history. At the bottom were discovered not only architectural structures, such as houses or courtyards, but also more than 35 graves. Despite the fact that the city was discovered in 1968, the Greek government granted access to scientists only in 2008. As a result, it was possible to describe all the remains of the city. Thanks to this, scientists can take a fresh look at the life and life of people of that period.
List of museums
In the world there are only a few underwater museums. Since this science is young and just beginning to develop, the number of finds does not always allow us to organize full-fledged expositions. Many museums are limited to the presentation of underwater finds in other collections.
The largest and most interesting museums for underwater archeology to visit:
- Mizgaga Museum at Kibbutz Nakhsholim (Israel);
- National Museum of ARQUA in Cartagena (Spain);
- Museum of Underwater Archeology of Feodosia in Crimea (Russia);
- Shipwreck Museum in the city of Kronstadt (Russia);
- Bodrum Museum of underwater finds in the city of Bodrum (Turkey).
In 2013, it became known that the Greek government approved the project to open a museum of underwater antiquities. The initiator of the idea was the Council on the underwater antiquities of Greece. It is assumed that in the territory of the former silo in the city of Piraeus (building about 6.5 thousand square meters), about 2 thousand raised to the surface of exhibits from the bottom of the Mediterranean, Ionian and Aegean seas will be exhibited.
Museum in Bodrum
The Museum of Underwater Archeology in Bodrum (Turkey) is internationally renowned for its huge exposure and cultural significance of the objects found.
Within the framework of the project, archaeological finds relating to different periods of the settlement’s life are exhibited, in addition, you can get acquainted with the remains of ancient ships and their contents. The museum itself is located in the building of St. Peter's Castle. There are six permanent exhibitions.
The first thing that tourists need to visit is the Amphora Underwater Park. It is difficult to imagine, but parts of these clay pots managed to survive the wreck of the ship and reach our days. In addition, you can find many positive user reviews about the exposition dedicated to the Carian princess Ada. The museum has a whole hall for its decorations and household items.
Of no less interest is the glass shipwreck hall, which displays objects found at the bottom along with the remains of ships that were shipwrecked. But the main attraction for tourists is the model of the deck of the sunken ship, on which you can go and feel like an ancient resident. If you wish, you can watch interactive materials and study the process of raising antiquities to the surface. In 2018, the museum can only be viewed from the outside, as it is closed for restoration.
Museum in Kronstadt
There are no analogues to the Museum of Underwater Archeology in Kronstadt. This is the only shipwreck museum in the world. It is located in the former building of the water tower. Outwardly, this very beautiful building in the style of classicism resembles a Gothic cathedral rather.
The main exhibits of the exhibition were collected for the museum thanks to the project “Underwater Heritage of Russia”. Visitors to the museum who have left reviews on the Internet recommend it for visiting. Particularly great response around the remains of the wrecks of the Portsmouth, Svir, Archangel Raphael, Emblem and Gangut ships in the Baltic Sea. You can consider not only parts of the ships, but also their cargoes: guns, anchors, cores and much more.
The museum opened its doors to visitors only in 2009, and its collection will continue to grow with the development of underwater research in Russia.
Museum in Feodosia
One of the largest museums of underwater archeology is located in Feodosia, on the territory of the former summer residence of Stamboli. It is also a branch of the Black Sea Center for Underwater Research. Most of the museum exhibits are raised from the bottom of the Black Sea. Here you can learn about the life and life of the ancient city of Acre, called the Crimean Atlantis. The city went under water around the 4th century BC. But it was possible to find him only in 1982 due to the finding of a schoolboy on the Black Sea.
In addition, the museum can see the exposition of sunken ships, learn the secret of the "Black Prince" and delve into the history of the development of underwater research in Russia. Reviews about visiting the museum are good, users say that the tour will be interesting for both children and adults. The time period covered by the exhibits varies from the ancient period to finds from the Second World War.
Museum in Cartagena
The National Museum of Underwater Archeology in Cartagena is the most visited museum dedicated to underwater exploration in the world. Its doors opened in 1982, from that moment the exhibition is constantly replenished with new exhibits raised from the bottom of the coast of Cartagena.
The most valuable exhibits are the ancient Phoenician ship and tusks extracted from the sunken merchant ship, and exhibits from the Mare Iberikum collection, which testify to the development of trade in this area.