Archaeological sub-disciplines

Scientific research has been initiated on shipwrecks dating back to between the 2nd and 13th centuries discovered underwater in the Black Sea.

The small Fourni archipelago is just 17 square miles large but is hailed as the ancient shipwreck capital of the world thanks to the discovery of 22 shipwrecks in the area. Underwater archeologists are excited by the secrets hidden around the collection of 13 isllands and islets between the eastern Aegean Islands of Samos and Ikaria.

The mystery occupant of the Amphipolis tomb at Casta Hill dominated the international media a year ago, but now the site lies forgotten. The Central Archeological Council of the Greek Ministry of Culture will decide on the fate of the tomb on Tuesday after the results of the carbon-14 dating were publicised by the lead archeologist Katerina Peristeri on August 11.

The culture ministry’s underwater antiquities department in partnership with US-based  Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution recently completed a digital underwater survey and 3-dimensional display of the renowned Antikythera Shipwreck.

The development followed last year’s discovery of the exact spot of the shipwreck, which carried the Antikythera Mechanism during antiquity.

A University of Manchester project  revealed that one third of the animal mummies in the city’s museum had no trace of animal left, but were only pieces wrapped up in a way to make it look as such.

The project included 800 mummified animals from ancient Egypt, which were scanned with the help of technology.

By Costas Kantouris

A geologist who took part in the excavation of the ancient burial mound in Amphipolis in northern Greece says the ancient tomb found together with a series of vaulted rooms wasn't built at the same time, but somewhat later than the rooms themselves.

The conservation process of 37 sunken ships discovered during the Istanbul Marmaray excavations and removed from the area over eight years is nearing completion. The unearthed ships are set to be displayed when the works are completed by the end of this year.

The Istanbul Archaeology Museum has sent a team to inspect the route of Istanbul’s third bridge after reports that contractors have failed to inform museums regarding the myriad archaeological findings unearthed on the roads connecting to the new bridge crossing the Bosphorus.