The Department of Antiquities announced the discovery of an ancient shipwreck in the sea area of Protaras yesterday, Thursday, June 27, 2019.
This is a major archaeological discovery after a Roman shipwreck was discovered, loaded with commercial amphorae, most likely from Syria and Cilicia, and is the first Roman shipwreck in good condition in Cyprus and the results of the investigation are expected to shed new light on the scale and scale of the island's trade relations with the rest of the Roman provinces of the eastern Mediterranean.
The importance of the finding is great for Cypriot archeology, as it is the first time that underwater archeological research is carried out at the expense of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works.
What the research team says
In her statements to Famagusta.News The Deputy Professor of Marine Archeology at the University of Cyprus, Dr. Stella Demestiha, said she was clearly excited that the estimate was that it was a large merchant ship. His significance, he said, is that no well-preserved shipwreck of this period has been found again, the Roman one in Cyprus, and so the research of this shipwreck will give a lot of information about the scale and scope of Cyprus' trade relations with the rest. Roman provinces of the Eastern Mediterranean.
The discovery by volunteer divers
The position was announced by Mr. Spyros Spyrou and Mr. Andreas Kritiotis, volunteers - divers of the research team of underwater archeology of the Laboratory of Marine Archaeological Research (EPENAE), of the Research Archeology Unit of the University of Cyprus. The Department of Antiquities immediately mobilized to find the necessary resources to conduct a preliminary on-site investigation as soon as possible.
Archaeologists, students and volunteers of EPENAE are already in Protaras and are working to document and protect the position, under the direction of Associate Professor of Marine Archeology Dr. Stella Demestihas, in collaboration with the Deputy Professor of Engineering and Engineering at the Department of Politics. Dr. Dimitris Skarlatos and the Conservator of the Department of Antiquities Mrs. Eleni Loizidou.
The Department of Antiquities and the Research Unit of Archeology of the University of Cyprus expressed their gratitude and congratulations to Mr. Spyros and Mr. Kritiotis for informing the authorities immediately after the discovery of the new location. Warm thanks are also due to all the volunteers and supporters of the research, which was organized in a very short time as a result of the generosity and cooperation of various agencies and individuals. The enthusiastic mobilization of citizens and the good cooperation of institutions around an important archeological site sends optimistic messages about the high position of the protection of cultural heritage in Cypriot society, it is reported.
Famagusta.News