In this episode, we look back to Honor Frost's first dive in a well in Wimbledon 70 years ago this week, a pivotal moment for the field of maritime archaeology. We also speak with Claire Calcagno about her discovery of an unknown and unfinished book in Honor's archive, the Second Life of a Phoenix, all about her work on the 3rd Century BC Punic Shipwreck off Sicily. 

We head back 8,000 years this week! Agios Petros is the earliest submerged site in the Aegean. This Neolithic site is 8000 years old and reveals astonishing insights into how the farmers, fishermen and seafarers that lived there, were part of an expansive Neolithic network connected by sailing ships – far more sophisticated than ever imagined. The team even found remains of tuna bones and specialized fishing equipment, indicating that they were capable of deep sea fishing. Domesticated animal remains also suggest that these Neolithic farmers were transporting cows and other livestock by boat! Bettany talks to the site director about the discoveries and Lucy delves into ancient seafaring to uncover evidence of how people were crossing the Aegean thousands of years ago. We also learn about obsidian, a rare volcanic glass which gives insights into ancient trade. 

In this episode, Bettany heads to Turkey. The site of Yenikapi, in Istanbul, is home to one of the largest archaeological digs in the world, covering over 58,000 square metres, discovered during development work. Most of the remains relate to the artificial Theodosian Harbour from the Byzantine period including over 37 remarkably well-preserved shipwrecks, the largest group of Byzantine shipwrecks ever found. The site is a treasure trove of finds, from preserved camel skeletons to a container of cherries. Bettany heads to the conservation lab to see some of these remarkable finds first-hand, and Lucy speaks to one of the archaeologists working on the shipwreck remains. 

Welcome to Episode 3 of our Ancient World series, in this episode Bettany heads to the Bay of Naples, where in the middle of a volcanic landscape a Roman city now lies underwater. The Roman city at Baia is now submerged due to volcanic movement, the site has become a vast archaeological marine park, with statues, villas and mosaics visible underwater. Often referred to as the Las Vegas of the Roman world, it was the playground of the Roman elite. Bettany heads to Baia to see the site and Lucy finds out more about how it has become an archaeological park, allowing visitors to explore the remains by diving or snorkelling in the clear waters of the bay. 

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Dive & Dig Ancient World Series. In this episode, finds from two key 4th century BC shipwreck sites in Cyprus at Mazotos and Kyrenia tell us about trade and connectivity in Classical Greece.  Olive stones, amphorae and small vessels bring the crews of one ancient ship back to life and the art of ancient seafaring and navigation is revealed through a series of ship replicas. Bettany visits the conservation lab in Cyprus to see some of the remarkable finds from the Mazotos shipwreck, including evidence of a sailor’s packed lunch! And Lucy speaks to Glavkos, who helped to build and sail a reconstruction of the Kyrenia, a 4th Century BC ancient Greek merchant ship. 

Welcome to the first episode of our new series! Presented by historian, Professor Bettany Hughes, and maritime archaeologist, Dr Lucy Blue who journey across the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. In this episode we explore Wadi El Jarf, the site of the oldest known artificial sea harbour in the world. Located on the Red Sea of Egypt, it was built about 4500 years ago.  It reveals around 30 caves housing finds including amazingly preserved dismantled wooden boats, rigging material, and a papyrus archive, consisting of the oldest known papyrus in the world, that tells the story of the site. The site was built during the 4th Dynasty, around the time of the Pharaoh Khufu, who built the Great Pyramid of Giza. The papyri found on the site contain daily logbooks and for the first time ever, allow us to hear from individual workers. Bettany speaks to the site director to find out more about what they found and what this can tell us about the ancient Egyptians and Lucy chats with the lead underwater archaeologist to discover more about the ancient artificial harbour.

#WorldArchaeologyDay 

Lucy Blue talks to the team behind a new smartphone app, allowing users to explore the ancient harbour of Amathus off the coast of Cyprus. This EU-funded project allows visitors to explore the site with both walking and swimming tours, and for those unable to visit you can use the app to explore the site through immersive photos, videos, 3D models and an interactive map. 

In this episode, we speak to Tom Cousins and Dave Parham from Bournemouth University about a recently discovered 13th Century shipwreck off the Dorset Coast. The team were surprised to discover ship timbers surviving after 700 years, and the site, which contains a rather unusual cargo, is now the oldest protected wreck in the UK.

#maritime #archaeology #shipwreck #dorset #newdiscovery 

In the third and final part of our special IKUWA conference series, we hear about initiatives to protect and promote our underwater heritage at risk from looting, climate change and a multitude of other threats.

#underwater #archaeology #shipwrecks #treasurehunters #looting #protection #heritage 

In part II of our special IKUWA conference series, we reveal that maritime archaeology is not just about shipwrecks, exploring Neolithic lake settlements, ancient fishing and boats in bogs, as well as the first project of its kind in Pakistan. 

#underwater #archaeology #neolithic #prehisoric #pakistan #norway #logboats #bogs #fishing #cyprus