More artefacts recovered from Greek shipwreck near Kythera carrying parts of the Parthenon

·

The latest expedition by divers to the wreck of the Mentor, which sank just off the island of Kythera in 1802, has recovered several new artefacts. This includes the ship’s rigging, coins, the leather sole of a shoe, a metal buckle, a token for playing cards, two chess pieces and fragments of cooking utensils.

When Mentor sank, the ship was carrying marble sculptures chipped from the badly damaged Parthenon in Athens — later known as the Parthenon Marbles. These spectacular sculptures — which depict Greek gods, heroes and animals — are now on display at the British Museum in London.

READ MORE: Parthenon Marbles among artefacts being examined by British Museum’s new curator.

But according to marine archaeologist, Dimitris Kourkoumelis, of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities in Greece, these small objects recovered from the wreck reveal intriguing aspects of the lives of the people onboard the ship when it sank.

Divers on the latest archaeological expedition to the shipwreck of the Mentor, which sank in 1802 with valuable sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens on board. Image credit: Yiannis Issaris.

“The target is to understand how people were living and how life was onboard, not only for the passengers but also for the crew,” Kourkoumelis told Live Science.

“We’ve found gold coins from Utrecht in Holland, as well as from Spain, and also coins from the Ottoman Empire — so it was really a cosmopolitan group [of people] on the Mentor.” 

READ MORE: On this day in 1801, Lord Elgin removed and stole the Parthenon Marbles from Greece.

Kourkoumelis has led diving expeditions to the wreck of the Mentor every summer since 2009, after the Greek government enacted legislation to protect the shipwreck and formally ordered state archaeologists to excavate it. 

The Mentor managed to stay afloat until its crew and passengers scrambled onto the rocks at Kythera, but it sank quickly after that; much of the wooden hull is now surrounded by rocks. Image credit: V. Tsiairis.

The construction of the Mentor is very different from that of similar ships built in the Mediterranean, Kourkoumelis says.

“The American ships were built to travel in the open ocean and so they were much stronger — it’s very interesting to work on a ship like that,” he said.

READ MORE: Australia takes the lead in demanding the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

The wooden vessel is now rotting away after more than 200 years under the waves, and only a few more years of excavations will be possible, he added.

The wreck of the Mentor is most famous for the statues from the Parthenon that it carried when it sank, but the Greek excavations have focused on recovering much smaller objects. Image credit: V. Tsiairis.

Besides the Parthenon Marbles, no more items from Elgin’s collection have ever been found. However, Kourkoumelis told Live Science that the wreck has yielded numerous other small objects over the years, including gold jewelry, ancient coins and Greek pottery that probably came from the private collections of some of the passengers onboard when it sank.

The most recent finds last year included two wooden chess pieces — another six pieces from the same set were found in previous years — and a metal token or coin that was probably used in a card game. 

The artefacts recovered from the Mentor shipwreck by the Greek government excavations include several pieces of gold jewelry and gold coins, such as this Spanish coin from 1756. Image credit: Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities.

Archaeologists plan to scientifically examine all of the items, many of which will be displayed at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Kourkoumelis said. The museum already displays about half of the Parthenon sculptures that remain, and it has space reserved for the remaining Parthenon Marbles if they are ever returned to Greece.

READ MORE: An architectural story worth knowing: The Acropolis museum.

“We are excavating the ship that is associated with one of the most painful episodes of the recent history of Greece,” Kourkoumelis told Live Science.

“I think it is very important to show that we are not only asking for things, but we are working for the protection of everything that is involved.”

Source: Live Science.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Kalymnian Brotherhood of Darwin threatens legal action over octopus dispute

The Kalymnian Brotherhood of Darwin is threatening legal action against the NT Government following a food safety dispute over octopus.

Meet the Greek sisters behind Adora: A 30-year legacy of handmade chocolate and heart

If you’re looking for a new spot in Sydney to satisfy your sweet cravings, Adora Handmade Chocolates is the place to be.

Young artists shine in ‘First Light’ exhibition at opening of That Art Place in Carlton

More than 65 young artists from the St George area in Sydney had their creative moment in the spotlight on Saturday, July 12.

Peter Tsolakides leads Australia’s first cryonics facility amid scientific doubts

Peter Tsolakides, founder of Southern Cryonics, is leading Australia's venture into cryonic preservation with a facility near Holbrook, NSW.

Kazzi Beach Greek owner Peter Papas criticises proposed RBA surcharge ban

Sydney restaurateur Peter Papas has raised concerns over the Reserve Bank of Australia’s proposal to ban credit and debit card surcharges.

You May Also Like

Insight or Perspective: “Greek films are a good way for children to learn the language”

"Who doesn't love a film full of songs, dance and fun with the all-time favourite Greek star, Aliki Vougiouklaki," writes Eleni Elefterias.

Greek President expresses support for Greek diaspora and American Archbishop Elpidophoros

Newly elected President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou expressed her support for the Greek diaspora and the Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.

Australia’s new fleet of nuclear submarines to cost up to $368 billion

Australia will build a new fleet of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines under a national defence program that will cost up to $368 billion.