Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – A team of underwater archaeologists has made a significant discovery in the Greek city of Asini, near Tolo, uncovering evidence of a submerged ancient port. This excavation has revealed structural remains that offer new insights into Mediterranean maritime history.
Credit: Ministry of Culture of Greece
The discovery is part of an ongoing underwater research project initiated in 2022, involving collaboration between Greece’s Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, the Swedish Institute at Athens, Stockholm University, the University of Gothenburg, and the Nordic Maritime Group.
From October 7 to 11, 2024, researchers documented substantial remains of ancient port infrastructure. Led by Greek archaeologist Dr. Panagiota Galiatsatou and Swedish experts Prof. Ann-Louise Schallin and Dr. Niklas Eriksson, the team conducted detailed studies on a key area of the ancient harbor’s seabed using advanced photography techniques. They confirmed a large stone foundation likely linked to ancient port structures and identified numerous stones and construction material fragments indicating gradual collapse over time.
Credit: Ministry of Culture of Greece
Noteworthy discoveries include ceramic fragments such as amphora pieces embedded in stone structures and a broken vessel found in “Sector 4A.” These artifacts could help determine when the port was operational and when it was abandoned.
Asini’s long history since prehistoric times complicates pinpointing the exact construction date for this port; however, evidence suggests its significant role in regional trade. Previous excavations in 2021 and 2022 revealed that this site is larger than initially thought with an artificial platform featuring potential rooms or buildings indicating complex usage.
Credit: Ministry of Culture of Greece
The team’s next steps involve further excavations on this platform’s upper section through additional archaeological interventions using careful sediment removal methods like hand excavation and controlled dredging. All findings will be documented using photogrammetry to create precise 3D models for analysis, the Ministry of Culture of Greece informs in a press release.
Results from this campaign will be published in Opuscula by the Swedish Institutes at Athens & Rome along with other specialized archaeology & maritime studies publications.
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The Asini discoveries offer vital insights into ancient sea trade and port construction, making them an invaluable resource for understanding our past. As researchers delve deeper into this site, there’s a strong possibility that it will uncover even more about the sophisticated ways in which ancient civilizations developed and utilized maritime infrastructure.
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
