Exploring submerged prehistoric landscapes

This summer, a group of research scientists from Greece and Switzerland will take part in the TerraSubmersa expedition in the Argolic Gulf in Greece

Buoyed by the success of the DeepWater expedition carried out along the Gulf Stream in the spring of 2013, the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and PlanetSolar are launching TerraSubmersa this summer. This new expedition is the result of a close collaboration between the Laténium in Neuchâtel (Switzerland), the Greek Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, the Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece, and the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research. It aims to explore the prehistoric landscapes submerged in the Argolic Gulf in Greece, in an attempt to reconstitute them and perhaps to find traces of human activity.

At the end of the last ice age, around 20,000 years ago, sea level was considerably lower than it is today. By studying these submerged prehistoric landscapes, archaeologists can reconstitute the environments that have disappeared under water and comprehend the interactions between prehistoric man and the sea. These studies, which are likely to become one of the major archaeological challenges of the 21st century, will enable to identify the mechanisms of population settlement in coastal areas.

Investigations in Kiladha bay

Recent work has demonstrated that navigation in the Eastern Mediterranean started much earlier than experts have imagined up to now. Indeed, it would appear that man navigated on the seas for the first time more than 100,000 years ago. This discovery would lead us to suggest that Greece played a key role in the rise of the Neolithic way of life (around 7,000 B.C.) as it spread from the Middle East into Europe. [...] eurekalert.org/ / Link 2


Actualización 25-06-14: Excavación subacuática buscará en Grecia pueblo más antiguo de Europa
Atenas, 24 jun (PL) Un grupo de arqueólogos griegos y suizos anunciaron hoy en esta capital su programa de excavación submarina "Terra Submersa", con el que pretenden sacar a la luz el asentamiento humano más antiguo de Europa. Los trabajos tendrán lugar cerca de la cueva sumergida de Franchthi, en el golfo Argólico, y donde los investigadores esperan descubrir los restos de un emplazamiento del primer lugar en el continente donde vivieron los homo sapiens en el paleolítico y también durante el neolítico.

Los arqueólogos contarán con el apoyo de un catamarán solar "MS Turanor PlanetSolar", desde el que se realizarán los estudios geofísicos a fin de documentar con precisión la topografía, y comenzarán su tarea el próximo 1 de agosto, aunque el cuerpo principal de la exploración se realizará entre el 18 de ese mes y el 12 de septiembre.

La misión Terra Submersa está dirigida por la Universidad de Ginebra, la Escuela de Arqueología de Suiza en Grecia, el Departamento Helénico de Antigüedades Submarinas y el Centro Griego para la Investigación Marina.


Actualización 16-08-15: Ancient Greek Underwater Settlement Found in Peloponnese

3/4. The stone foundation of the outer defensive wall [Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture]

A large underwater ancient Greek settlement of the 3rd millennium BC was brought to light by the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities and the University of Geneva under the auspices of the Swiss School of Archaeology in Argolis, Peloponnese.

The research began in 2014 in a marine near Franchthi Cave with the Terra Submersa mission and the solar boat “Planet Solar.” The team looked for traces of prehistoric human activity on the eastern side of the Argolic Gulf. This year, the research began on July 13 and focused on Lambagiannas beach, where the team eventually located the prehistoric settlement.

The settlement, located at a depth of 1m up to 3m, covers an area of around 3 acres. It used to be fortified and located by the seaside. Archaeologists found rectangular and circular building foundations as well as paved streets.

Furthermore, they have located part of the settlement’s fortification and at least three large horseshoe-shaped foundations attached to the wall line (possibly part of the fortification that may have been towers). They also found numerous stone tools, obsidian blades and other artifacts. The investigation will continue until August 14, 2015, with geophysical research in the maritime area. In order to raise awareness in the local community, the research team will present its preliminary findings to the public on site, on August 16 and 17.   / Link 2 (Photos)


Actualización 30-08-15: Descubren una antigua ciudad griega de la Edad del Bronce bajo el Mediterráneo 
Grecia anunció un importante descubrimiento arqueológico. En la Bahía de Kiladha, en la península del Peloponeso, se han encontrado los restos de un antiguo pueblo griego que data el tercer milenio a.C. 

Un equipo de arqueólogos griegos y suizos descubrió lo que parece ser un importante asentamiento costero, pero que ahora está cubierto por las aguas del mar Mediterráneo. El pueblo encontrado pertenecía a la Edad del Bronce, entre 2.000 y 3000 años a.C.

"La importancia de nuestro descubrimiento consiste en el gran tamaño del pueblo: fueron preservadas al menos 1,2 hectáreas", según el profesor de la Universidad de Ginebra, Julien Beck. Asimismo, el científico señaló que el descubrimiento es importante por la cantidad y calidad de los elementos que fueron recogidos allí.

El equipo de arqueólogos subacuáticos descubrió estructuras defensivas de piedra de "carácter masivo y desconocido en Grecia hasta ahora", afirmó Beck, según el portal Spero News...