Greece’s Ministry of Culture announced on Tuesday the creation of two new underwater archaeological sites which will be accessible for diving in the North Aegean.
The sites will be established on Fourni and “Vathylakas” on Thymaina, within the Fourni Korseon archipelago. For each site, the Ministry is preparing a formal Operating Regulation to define the terms for the protection of antiquities and the safety protocols for recreational diving.
Minister Mendoni: “A sustainable model for maritime heritage”
Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated:
“The protection and promotion of our maritime cultural heritage—extraordinarily rich and diverse in both sites and shipwrecks—is a primary focus. The establishment of these two sites near Ikaria is a milestone for public access to the underwater history of the North Aegean. This initiative fits into a broader sustainable development model that combines scientific research with high-quality diving tourism.”
She further noted that Fourni is currently one of the most significant maritime archaeological fields in the Mediterranean. Systematic research has uncovered 62 shipwrecks dating from the 6th century BC to the early 20th century. “At Akra Fygou, we see a multi-layered archaeological complex reflecting trade networks spanning from the Aegean to the Black Sea,” Mendoni added.
A decade of discovery: 2014–2025
Systematic underwater exploration in Fourni began in 2014 as a joint project between the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities and the RPM Nautical Foundation, later supported by the “Korseai” Institute. Fieldwork covered the coastal zones of Fourni, Thymaina, and Agios Minas down to a depth of 50 meters (164 ft).
Highlights include the excavation of “Shipwreck 15,” a 5th–6th century AD vessel carrying amphorae from the Black Sea (Crimea, Sinope, and Heraclea Pontica). To safeguard these finds, the Ministry designated 24 protected underwater zones across the archipelago in 2025.
Ancient shipwrecks: New diving destinations in the Aegean
Site 1: Fourni (Aspros Kavos)
This site features seven shipwrecks organized into four distinct diving routes with maximum depths ranging from 23 meters (75 ft) to 41 meters (135 ft). The area is also rich in scattered finds, such as ancient anchors and ceramic deposits.
Key Shipwrecks:
- Shipwreck No. 3 (5th–6th c. AD): Features rare “carrot-shaped” amphorae from Sinope—the only known cargo of its kind in the Mediterranean
- Shipwreck No. 15 (5th–6th c. AD): A primary excavation site featuring eight types of amphorae and fine tableware
- Shipwreck No. 13 (6th c. BC): The oldest in the group, carrying an unprecedented cargo of Archaic Samian amphorae
- Shipwreck No. 55 (2nd–1st c. BC): A cargo of stamped Knidian amphorae, partially preserved under rockslides
Site 2: Vathylakas (Thymaina)
Located within the Vathylakas Bay, this site underscores the region’s maritime importance from the Hellenistic to the Roman periods. It features four diving routes with depths reaching up to 70 meters (almost 230 ft).
Key Shipwrecks:
- Shipwreck No. 45 (4th c. AD): One of the few “pristine” deep-water wrecks (54m–67m). Its cargo includes amphorae from Roman Tunisia, Southern Spain, Portugal, and Catalonia, proving the vast extent of Late Roman trade networks
- Shipwreck No. 28 (2nd c. BC): A vessel carrying amphorae from Kos and Ephesus, scattered across the rocky seabed
- Shipwreck No. 48 (1st–3rd c. BC): A large ceramic deposit featuring Cretan amphorae, lamps, and cooking vessels