An underwater archaeological survey conducted by the Greek Ministry of Culture with the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities and the National Hellenic Research Foundation has identified wrecks, Byzantine anchors, and harbor remains between Karpathos and Kasos, with artifacts dating from the Archaic Age to the 19th century.
A series of wrecks, commercial amphorae, Byzantine anchors and remnants of port infrastructure have been identified in the seabed between the islands of Kasos (Caso) and Karpathos (Scarpanto), in the Dodecanese (archipelago of Greece), during an underwater archaeological survey conducted by the Greek Ministry of Culture through theEphorate of Underwater Antiquities in collaboration with the National Hellenic Research Foundation. The systematic survey, of a reconnaissance nature, has taken place since October 2025 in the waters around Karpathos and has led to the identification and documentation of numerous material evidence distributed over a very wide chronological span, ranging from the late 7th century B.C. to the first half of the 19th century.
Among the most relevant finds are five wrecks, four of which are from ancient times and one more recent. Surveys have also identified commercial vessels and traces of ancient port infrastructure, which help delineate the strategic role this area played in maritime traffic networks.
More than 20 anchors from the Byzantine period found in the seabed have attracted particular attention. Their discovery, put in relation to the rich remains of settlements and ecclesiastical structures in the Tristome area, offers new elements for understanding the importance of the area during late antiquity. Indeed, the totality of the data collected suggests an intense frequentation of the area in different historical periods, linked to the commercial dynamics and maritime connections that crossed the Dodecanese.
Parallel to the archaeological reconnaissance activities, an initiative dedicated to the protection of submerged artifacts in relation to the effects of climate change was also concluded. The project, entitled Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage from the Impacts of Climate Change, involved conservation work directly at sea on a number of historical artifacts located in the waters of Kasos. The project was funded by the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation under the initiative called 21.
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| Greece, discoveries between Kasos and Karpathos: five Byzantine wrecks and anchors identified |
The author of this article: Noemi Capoccia
Originaria di Lecce, classe 1995, ha conseguito la laurea presso l’Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara nel 2021. Le sue passioni sono l’arte antica e l’archeologia. Dal 2024 lavora in Finestre sull’Arte.
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