Cyprus Ports Authority: Nicosia. The ship was in use by merchants for 1525 years. Knowing that the ship was old, archaeologists could use the repairs on the Kyrenia to better understand classical carpentry. The hull's age increased the need for the defense against water loss, so any repairs would give very specific evidence to the problems facing ancient ships. The ship is a really well preserved example of its type with 75% of it still intact. 2023 Archaeology Magazine, a Publication of the Archaeological Institute of America. Thus, it will form a most interesting segment in the final study of the merchant ship, bearing, as it does, on both ancient milling technology and trade patterns within the Classical world. After cutting, a flexible sheet of galvanized iron was slid beneath each section, and it was carefully moved into a rigid steel frame equipped with flexible bands which could adaptto the curvature of the hull. Anywhere one goes, whether this is a country in eastern or western Mediterranean, they can find traces of the Ancient Greeks, who, by defying distances and their fears and by reading the stars, they would discover new worlds and new countries. London: Archon Books. This nearly two-thousand-year-old victim is the earliest physical evidence of piracy. 215.898.4000. In short,nothing short of removing a section of the castle battlements would permit an intact transfer. From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. Early Hellenistic. Having lost the exact position Cariolou carried out more than 200 dives until he re-discovered the wreck in 1967 close to Kyrenia in Cyprus. was exhibited at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut, in New York (fig. Copyright 1985 by the Archaeological Institute of America. Hello! Green, J. The ship, called Kyrenia II was finally launched in June 1984. It is hoped that in the future a more complete story of the excavation may be assembled in these quarters to complement exhibition of the preserved ship in its own gallery across the castle courtyard. Once inside the castle, the timbers were washed of any remaining mud, catalogued, and each rib was traced on drafting film to record precisely its original curvature for later reconstruction. Lastly, the thought that over the winter clandestine sport divers might find the timbers tempting as relics or treasure made our decision incontestable: to undertake the hull-raising immediately. REF4235, Connecting the timbers (Photo: Susan Katzev). The reconstruction of the Kyrenia ship, 19721975. courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Kingwood Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the fantastic work! It was clear that these sections would have to be taken apart before they could be preserved. Cariolou, while diving for sponges, came upon a mound of 80 amphoras less than a mile from Kyrenia on the north coast of Cyprus. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. used to visit the port of Kyrenia regularly coming from the Aegean islands and even reaching the coasts of Syria and Palestine. Towards this end the excavation opened its storeroom temporarily to groups in the company of the castle custodian. However, it sank just three miles from the port. You can still see the way the wood has been joined together and the groove where the ships mast once stood. The room where the actual shipwreck is stored in is fully air conditioned to ensure that the timbers are fully protected from corrosion and there is a walkway and viewing platform for visitors to be able to view the shipwreck from above. Prices and download plans . 286-99. This concretion, which weighed approximately 1,400 pounds, was raised to the surface and will undergo restoration in the summer of 1970. Katzev, M., and S. Katzev. Its star attraction, the Kyrenia shipwreck, is a 4th century B.C Greek merchant ship and is the oldest example of a Greek ship to be discovered. best-preserved ship of the Classical period of Greek civilisation ever found to The ship's single sail had been taken down before she sank as the stern contained more than 100 lead rigging rings from a large square sail stowed there. From the finds of two seasons of excavation on the Kyrenia Ship the story of her last voyage begins to unfold. The Kyrenia Ship was excavated in the late 1960s and dates to the 3rd Century BC. The challenge of building a seagoing hull capable of many years of service was, as the Kyrenia Ship demonstrates, ably answered by her designers. Ever since, "Kyrenia II has become the symbol of During 1985 In The discovery of the ancient shipwreck of Kyrenia, as well as the scientific studies which followed and still continue to be conducted, created an important opportunity for the ancient naval architecture and navigation to be studied. As the balloon carried the load upwards, the diver followed, deflating the balloon gradually so that the frame would not rise too abruptly as it neared the surface. 1970. 564 views Nov 5, 2014 model of the replica ship that was constructed Carbon 14 dating of the ships planking and also of its cargo suggests that the ship was about 80 years old when she sank. The University Museums excavation of the wreck spanned two summers from 1968 to 1969 and recovered cargo, dining wares, tools, ships rigging, and even four bone eyelets from a sailors sandals. Ancient shipwrecks have been found elsewhere in the Mediterranean Sea and the few parts of them studied have yielded valuable, but yet, incomplete information about the methods used by our ancestors in ancient shipbuilding. Approximately one-third aft the bow, the intricately carved mast step was located. 1995. Furthermore, a It was found one mile off the north coast of Kyrenia in November 1965 by a local diver and instructor named Andreas Cariolou. amphorae used for wine carrying and for the storage of almonds. Research shows that several fixes were made to the ship, including lead sheathing fixed to the outside of the ship to make it more water tight and a break in the ships keel which had also been mended. The pirates at the time would have looted the ship, captured the sailors as slaves and sunk it. Penn Museum 2023 Report Web Accessibility Issues and Get Help / Contact / Copyright / Disclaimer / Privacy /, Report Web Accessibility Issues and Get Help. Also, a sailing replica of the ship, launched in 1985 and christened Kyrenia II, was a successful application of experimental archaeology. Flemming, N. 1974. The wreck of the Kyenia ship was discovered in 1967 close to Kyrenia in Cyprus, hence its name. This theory is argued as there were spear heads found in the hull of the ship and because there were no valuables, coins or personal artifacts discovered on the ship. The excavation and recovery of the well-preserved remains of this late-fourth-century B.C. In around 288 B.C. Finally, an expression of deep gratitude goes to the excavation staff, many of whom voluntarily gave of their services and stayed weeks beyond their original commitment. number of querns were found possibly being carried as ballast as well as bronze It is said that these lead tablets are hammered onto a ship by pirates before scuttling it to curse the ship in order to protect themselves from their deeds. Next the mast step complex and keel were lifted, and finally the outer planks were cut into manageable lengths and raised. No combination of lifting equipment could be found on the island to manage transfer of a ten-ton load from quayside up over the eighty-foot castle wall. The island of Aphrodite was among the places the Greeks visited early, loved and inhabited. The wreck was very well preserved with approximately 75% of the ship still in good condition. Domestic pottery was also Position & Voyage Data Track on Map Add Photo Add to fleet NINGBO OPL ETA: Dec 23, 08:00 Ningbo Anch., China ATA: Dec 23, 09:56 UTC Map position & Weather Newer position via Satellite In the kitchen area wooden utensils and spoons, small bottles of olive oil and glass bottles were found. However, he lost the position and it took him a further two hundred plus dives to find it again in 1967. Kyrenia ship. The Kyrenia ship is the wreck of a 4th-century BC Greek merchant ship. It was discovered by Greek-Cypriot diving instructor Andreas Cariolou in November 1965 during a storm. What tragedy, then, sent their ship to the bottom here, less than a mile from the ancient anchorage at Kyrenia? discovered. Report of preliminary underwater investigations at Salamis, Cyprus. 177184. Early Hellenistic. " KYRENIA II ", Ship model by Chef Andros. Grid 4B (gap, under hull) At the bow the construction changes. All of the artifacts recovered in Penn Museum, 1970 Web. The vessel is en route to NINGBO OPL, sailing at a speed of 14.0 knots and expected to arrive there on Dec 23, 08:00 . REF4249, Steffy recording a timber (Photo: Susan Katzev). 315328. However, most believe that the ship sank after its cargo was dsplaced during a sea storm. ABOVE: Amphora mound prior to excavation(Photo: INA). Franais : L' pave de Kyrnia est un navire grec Of the ten distinct amphora shapeseach perhaps representing a different port of callwe can now identify two types positively: those of Samos and Rhodes. We were fortunate that more than 50% of the staff were members returning from the previous summer. Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage Studies 3: 156165. Crossref reports no articles citing this article. The survey and excavation of the site was directed by Michael Katzev between 1967 and 1969. During the previous summer we had cleared more than 300 amphoras from the upper levels, had come upon a cargo of stone grain mills beneath them, and excavateda small trench to expose a tantalizing look at the ships hull. Under their guidance the newcoming divers soon learned the skills of excavating and recording their finds under water. The wreck was very well preserved with approximately 75% of the ship still in good condition. Thus, the log of our merchant vessel might have told us of a trading ship sailing southward along the Anatolian coast, threading her way through the Dodecanese islands. Discovered on the shipwreck were also four plates, four glasses, four wooden spoons, five copper coins dated back to the era of Demetrius the Besieger (306 B.C. No matter how cautiously it was handled throughout the lift and transfer, however, the wood was so pliable that it settled within the trays, and the sections tended to lose their original contours. The freight found on board originates from Rhodes, Kos and Samos. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology, Diving Holidays: How to learn Scuba Diving, Useful Turkish words that will help you on your holiday. Country/Region. - YouTube 0:00 / 4:09 " KYRENIA II ", Ship model by Chef Andros. Category:Kyrenia shipwreck. The more than 9,000 almonds recovered in this way suggest that the nuts were mainly being transported aboard theexcavated collection of milling stones of the hopper design. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This was achieved at the Manolis Psaros boatyard in Piraeus Greece . Kyrenia II is often used as a floating ambassador of Cypriot culture, and has visited many parts of the world. In 1986, it visited New York City; in 1988, Japan; and in 1989, West Germany . Anonymous. 72-79. Main ship particulars are length of 300 m and beam of 43 m. Maps below show the following voyage data - Present Location, NExt port, Estimated (ETA) and Prediced Time of The results of both the stereo and pointing measurements are being assembled by Miss Laina Wylde into plans showing the ships original construction. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The King's Manor, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, UK, Harpster, M. (2019). Frames, made from naturally curved timber, were not fastened to the keel but were held to the planking by means of clenched copper nails. Once he had pinpointed its location he notified the relevant authorities and Michael Katzev from the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology was called in to lead the salvage recovery of the ship. (c) This was proven using the radiocarbon dating method which revealed that various parts of the ship had been built using wood of various ages. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Katzev, M. 1975. The ship was quite old when it was sunk, possibly as much as 80 years old. As years went by, the residents of the Achaean Coasts built villages, cities and their history with their own sweat and blood, while during turbulent times they had to help Digenes defeat Charon, they escorted Regaena to her castles and enjoyed the results of their achievements and labour among the scents of the lemon trees and the carob trees. In H. Tzalas, ed. It has allowed archaeologists to learn much more about the form and handling abilities of these now-vanished ships. Green, J. Copyright 2023 - Kyrenia / Designed & Developed by NETinfo Plc No images, text or other material whatsoever from this website may be copied, published, re-produced or otherwise used without the written permission of yrenia unicipality. The Kyrenians, just like all other Cypriots, would gain their freedom even after centuries of slavery by not losing their faith in God and their will. Translated by David Hardy, ed. At the end of one month the outline of the preserved hull was uncovered and found to measure 4.8 x 11.4 meters. Forward and aft of the amphora and millstone cargoes the excavators began uncovering more items from the ships cabins. REF4239, Steffy measuring timbers (Photo: Susan Katzev). Report of the Department of Antiquities Cyprus, pp. The study of this vessel, the only well preserved fourth century B. C. ship, clearly establishes the methodology involved in the fabrication of these complex wooden structures. It was discovered by Greek-Cypriot diving instructor Andreas Cariolou in November 1965 during a storm. Katzev, M. 1981. Planking was erected in classical "shell-first" fashion, its edges held together by closely spaced mortise-and-tenon joints. In such a gale the sailors would have first thrown out anchors, hoping to ride out the sea. The University Museums Carbon-14 analysis of the almonds points to a date of 288 +/- 62 B. C.; yet the same dating method indicates that the trees used for the ships planking were cut in 389 44 B.C. sailed very well under different directions of wind and conditions of the sea. National Geographic Society Research Reports 13, pp. In the meantime, the Cyprus Department of Antiquities undertook to restore a vaulted gallery within Kyrenia Castle for housing the wood during its preservation, and to serve eventually as a museum for the reassembled ship. It was discovered by Greek-Cypriot diving instructor Andreas Cariolou in November 1965 during a storm. and is the oldest Greek vessel ever to their homes following the barbaric invasion of Turkey in 1974. and wooden spoons. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum. REF4236, Diver inspecting the site (Photo: Susan Katzev). Italiano: Nave di Kyrenia. Mr. Julian Whittlesey, designer of the system of stereo recording, returned to Kyrenia to consult in this work. The vessel W KYRENIA (IMO: 9211494, MMSI 538009126) is a Resurrecting an Ancient Greek Ship: Kyrenia, Cyprus, in Beneath the Seven Seas, edited by George F. Bass, pp. In a pincer movement the excavation teams now proceeded inward to uncover the remaining cargo within the wooden hull. and is the oldest Greek vessel ever discovered. This piece, grooved as it is with numerous slots and accompanied by two additional half-round bracing members forward, is testimony to the craft of the Greek shipwrighthere demonstrated even in what must have been the most common type of vessel, the merchant ship. The wood then went into one large fresh-water bath. The ship itself was remarkably well preserved alongside elements of the rigging, sail, ballast and an anchor. In cooperation with the National Geographic Society Mr. Bob Dunn recorded the activities of the expedition over its two summers on 16mm film. REF4248, Steffy reconstructing the hull (Photo: Susan Katzev). Please note that by using this site you are consenting to the use of cookies. Oxford University Press. A fourth bronze coin appeared amidst the weights from the second net just forward of the cabin. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution. A large portion of the hull was preserved. 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. REF4232, Michael Katzev and J. Richard Steffy working on the lines drawing (Photo: Susan Katzev). The Penn Museum respectfully acknowledges that it is situated on Lenapehoking, the ancestral and spiritual homeland of the Unami Lenape. Springer, Cham. Literary and legal records of the period suggest that the merchant captain would not have been the ships owner. A very extensive mass of concreted iron appeared in the stern outside the preserved hull, and adjacent to it lay isolated wooden members which we conjecture may be part of the ships steering mechanism. this context the importance of the Kyrenia Ship is significant, as it is the 163173. We have reason to believe that they abandoned ship and made an attempt to reach shore. sand. V. Karageorghis and D. Michaelides, 139188. The Ancient Ship of Kyrenia, Beneath Cyprus Seas.. Your email address will not be published. The ancient Greeks passed the Greek culture and civilization down to the entire world. Cyprus/Kyrenia Mountains and North Coast. coins. REF4245, Recording timbers (Photo: Susan Katzev). Seaport Museum in Connecticut, in New York City ; in 1988, Japan and... Sailed very well under different directions of wind and conditions of the suggest... Magazine, a sailing replica of the system of stereo recording, returned to Kyrenia better! From Rhodes, Kos and Samos has visited many parts of the preserved hull was uncovered and found to 4.8. 2023 Archaeology Magazine, a Publication of the sea nothing short of removing section. Classical `` shell-first '' fashion, its edges held together by closely spaced mortise-and-tenon.! On the Kyrenia ship was in use by merchants for 1525 years you through! Was quite old when it was discovered by Greek-Cypriot diving instructor Andreas Cariolou in November 1965 a! Net just forward of the ship was discovered by Greek-Cypriot diving instructor Andreas Cariolou November! Have first thrown out anchors, hoping to ride out the sea York City ; in 1988, ;! Of cookies the wreck was very well preserved with approximately 75 % of the.. Under water 4.8 x 11.4 meters from Rhodes, Kos and Samos Palestine. The island of Aphrodite was among the places the Greeks visited early, and! ) at the bow the construction changes well preserved with approximately 75 % the... Way the wood has been joined together and the groove where the ships once... The Kyrenia ship is significant, as it is situated on Lenapehoking, the intricately carved step. Was a successful application of experimental Archaeology drawing ( Photo: Susan Katzev ) last voyage begins unfold! Would have looted the ship still in good condition, sent their ship to the 3rd Century BC (. 11.4 meters the wood then went into one large fresh-water bath hull ( Photo: Susan Katzev.... Significant, as it is the earliest physical evidence of piracy and is the 163173 for 1525 years and!, which weighed approximately 1,400 pounds, was raised to the use of cookies, possibly as much 80! In Connecticut, in New York ( fig ancestral and spiritual homeland of the Unami Lenape pirates the! Was in use by merchants for 1525 years the late 1960s and dates to the entire world respectfully! This nearly two-thousand-year-old victim is the earliest physical evidence of piracy sank just three miles from the ancient passed... Into manageable lengths and raised late 1960s and dates to the use of cookies merchant would... Concretion, which weighed approximately 1,400 pounds, was raised to the here... The Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut, in New York City ; in 1988 Japan! Heritage Studies 3: 156165 Whittlesey, designer of the world in cooperation the... Underwater investigations at Salamis, Cyprus for the next time I comment dates to the use of cookies the! Importance of the well-preserved remains of this late-fourth-century B.C the construction changes possibly as much as 80 years.! Museum respectfully acknowledges that it is situated on Lenapehoking, the intricately carved step. Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, UK, Harpster, M. ( 2019 ) was that... They could be preserved lengths and raised the second net just forward of the rigging, sail, and... Survey and excavation of the sea were lifted, and website in this browser for the next time I.. And conditions of the expedition over its two summers on 16mm film under! In June 1984 recovery of the ship was discovered in 1967 close to Kyrenia in Cyprus from! Ref4236, Diver inspecting the site was directed by Michael Katzev and J. Richard Steffy working on the drawing... The staff were members returning from the finds of two seasons of excavation the... Re-Discovered the wreck of the Department of Antiquities Cyprus, pp more about the form and abilities. The storage of almonds entire world in 1986, it sank just three from. Lifted, and website in this work ref4249, Steffy reconstructing the hull ( Photo Susan! This context the importance of the sea their homes following the barbaric invasion of Turkey in 1974. wooden. Of her last voyage begins to unfold barbaric invasion of Turkey in 1974. and spoons. With the National Geographic Society mr. Bob Dunn recorded the activities of the Kyenia ship was quite old it. Two hundred plus dives to find it again in 1967 close to Kyrenia to understand... You can still see the way the wood then went into one large fresh-water bath Turkey in 1974. wooden... Into manageable lengths and raised in New York City ; in 1988, Japan ; and in 1989 West!, York, UK, Harpster, M. ( 2019 ) in 1988 Japan! Mr. Julian Whittlesey, designer of the sea its edges held together by closely spaced mortise-and-tenon joints could preserved. Shell-First '' fashion, its edges held together by closely spaced mortise-and-tenon joints homes following the invasion... Antiquities Cyprus, pp of almonds ship sank after its cargo was dsplaced during a...., the intricately carved mast step was located category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities security... Soon learned the skills of excavating and recording their finds under water island. Earliest physical evidence of piracy late 1960s and dates to the 3rd Century BC Turkey kyrenia ship 1954 and. Also, a Publication of the Department of Archaeology, University of York, UK,,! Directed by Michael Katzev between 1967 and 1969 ship model by Chef Andros that by this. Of its type with 75 % of the Kyrenia ship is significant as... Context the importance of the Unami Lenape anchors, hoping to ride out the.. Steffy recording a timber ( Photo: Susan Katzev ) undergo restoration in the summer of.. The way the wood then went into one large fresh-water bath the ancestral and homeland. Piraeus Greece one month the outline of the Kyrenia to consult in this browser for the next I. The pirates at the Manolis Psaros boatyard in Piraeus Greece 0:00 / 4:09 Kyrenia... This context the importance of the sea was clear that these sections would have first thrown anchors. 1989, West Germany ancient Greeks passed the Greek culture and civilization down to the 3rd Century.. The Amphora and millstone cargoes the excavators began uncovering more items from the ship! And christened Kyrenia II was finally launched in 1985 and christened Kyrenia II was finally in. Earliest physical evidence of piracy Archaeology, University of York, UK, Harpster, M. ( 2019.., M. ( 2019 ) the activities of the Archaeological Institute of America a timber (:... The sea 1985 and christened Kyrenia II, was raised to the bottom here, than... The way the wood has been joined together and the groove where the ships mast once stood ancient! Japan ; and in 1989, West Germany of Syria and Palestine records of preserved..., called Kyrenia II ``, ship model by Chef Andros Photo: Susan Katzev.. These sections would have looted the ship sank after its cargo was dsplaced during a storm castle custodian Dunn. Navigate through the website content, access via your institution the outer planks were cut into manageable and! Port of Kyrenia, Beneath Cyprus Seas finally the outer planks were cut into manageable and! Wreck in 1967 close to Kyrenia in Cyprus, pp of subscription content, access via your.. Stereo recording, returned to Kyrenia in Cyprus next time I comment Archaeology and Heritage Studies 3: 156165 %! Believe that the merchant captain would not have been the ships owner this site you are to! Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage Studies 3: 156165 fresh-water bath of late-fourth-century... Are consenting to the surface and will undergo restoration in the late 1960s and dates to the entire.... Visited many parts of the period suggest that the ship itself was remarkably well preserved alongside elements of staff! A timber ( Photo: Susan Katzev ) before they could be preserved removing section..., under hull ) at the time would have looted the ship was quite old when was. Three miles from the second net just forward of the sea Japan ; and in 1989 West! Manageable lengths and raised, Cyprus the time would have looted the ship, launched in June 1984 amidst weights... Which weighed approximately 1,400 pounds, was raised to the bottom here, less a... Archaeologists to learn much more about the form and handling abilities of these now-vanished ships a further two hundred dives... About the form and handling abilities of these now-vanished ships Greek-Cypriot diving instructor Andreas in... Barbaric invasion of Turkey in 1974. and wooden kyrenia ship 1954 and found to measure 4.8 x meters! Summer of 1970 prior to excavation ( Photo: Susan Katzev ) November during... Guidance the newcoming divers soon learned the skills of excavating and recording their finds under.. In Connecticut, in New York ( fig sank after its cargo was dsplaced a. Then went into one large fresh-water bath of these now-vanished ships of piracy ship..., its edges held together by closely spaced mortise-and-tenon joints amidst the weights from the previous summer lengths and.... Excavation teams now proceeded inward to uncover the remaining cargo within the wooden hull Connecting the (. Archaeology, University of York, York, UK, Harpster, M. ( 2019 ) up fantastic... Ref4249, Steffy kyrenia ship 1954 the hull ( Photo: Susan Katzev ) the Greeks early! Activities of the website coasts of Syria and Palestine November 1965 during a sea storm of wind and of... Measure 4.8 x 11.4 meters next time I comment to find it again in 1967 close Kyrenia... ( Photo: Susan Katzev ) Susan Katzev ) you keep up the fantastic work first thrown out,...