New Study Reveals Precise Timeline Of The Sinking Of Ancient Greek Shipwreck Kyrenia

A new study published in the journal PLOS One provides a more precise timeframe for the sinking of the Kyrenia shipwreck, which was discovered off the north coast of Cyprus about 60 years ago.

According to the study, the ship most likely sank between 296 and 271 BC, with a strong probability of sinking between 286 and 272 BC.

This new timeline is based on newly cleaned wood pieces from the ship, as well as clues found in a twig, an animal bone, and an ancient almond cache.

The Kyrenia shipwreck, discovered in 1965, was the first major Greek Hellenistic-period ship found with a largely intact hull.

It was discovered between 1967 and 1969, along with its cargo of hundreds of ceramic vessels, before being rebuilt and analyzed.

Stuart Manning, the lead author and Professor of Classical Archaeology at Cornell University, emphasized the importance of the Kyrenia discovery.

According to Manning, the Kyrenia was one of the first times it became clear that this type of valuable proof from the ancient world could be discovered mostly unharmed more than 2,000 years later on the bottom of the ocean if one could find it.

Shipwrecks serve as time capsules, so you can get amazing preservation.

For six decades, the Kyrenia has given archaeologists and historians valuable insights into ancient ship technology, construction techniques, and maritime trade.

Three replicas of the Kyrenia have been built, providing significant information on ancient ships and their sailing capabilities.

Previously, the timeline for the Kyrenia’s sinking was unclear, relying mostly on items such as pottery and coins discovered on board, which suggested the ship sank in the late 300s BC.

The most recent study, however, used radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology to obtain a more specific date.

The presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG), a wood preservation compound, posed a major challenge to dating the Kyrenia.

Manning and his team developed a cleaning technique that removes PEG, allowing for precise radiocarbon dating.

The cleaned wood samples revealed that the most recent intact tree rings grew in the mid-late fourth century BC.

The researchers also examined the ship’s artefacts, including pottery, coins, an astragalus, and thousands of fresh green almonds discovered in amphorae.

These organic components revealed more details about the ship’s final voyage.

Using statistical modelling and dendrochronology, the scientists determined that the ship’s sinking occurred between 305 and 271 BC, with a higher probability of 286 to 272 BC.

The revised timeline, although slightly more recent than prior estimates, is backed up by scientific data and includes new methodologies and a revised radiocarbon calibration that can assist date other ancient structures and shipwrecks.

Local diver Andreas Cariolou discovered the Kyrenia shipwreck in 1965, and marine archaeologist Michael Katzev examined it in the late 1960s.

The new study provides a more precise timeframe for the ship’s sinking, providing new insights into ancient maritime history and the interconnection of the Mediterranean region.

Mark Lawall, a professor of classics at the University of Manitoba, stressed the significance of the Kyrenia shipwreck in comprehending former lives and the intricate networks of the ancient Mediterranean.

Lawall added that the Kyrenia crew may have been a group of more marginal traders, grabbing up what they could, when and where they could, and looking for a small profit at the end of the day.

The Kyrenia shipwreck continues to provide a window into ancient maritime operations, demonstrating the practicality and complexities of early maritime trade and connections across the Mediterranean.

Reference: Greek Reporter, CNN

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