Shipwreck Free-Diving

Around 1920, local fishermen discovered archaeological items, including marble fragments, in shallow water off Cape Karsi, north of Methoni, opposite Sapienza. In 1925, lawyer/historian Dionisios Potaris (1860-1932) discovered and documented the ‘marbles’ after following the indications of local fishermen. These ‘marbles’ are found in a location 50-60 m from the northern coast of Sapienza in depths of 6-7 m and 10 m from Cape Spitha. The ‘shipwreck of columns’ includes a scattering of various segments from columns that are aligned and situated on the seabed. Only one of the 34 marble fragments is intact, with a height of 8 m and a diameter of 0.90 m. The other 28 are grouped together, and the other six are spread over a distance of 60 m. This shipwreck site will be the initial archaeological site that may be explored under water. The second shipwreck has been found near the shipwreck of columns in the northern part of Sapienza Island at a depth of 15 m. The shipwreck is lying on the ocean floor. Sarcophagi containing stone coffins are among the ship’s cargo. One sarcophagus is broken, most likely as a result of the shipwreck. The sarcophagi measure 2.20 x 0.80 m and bear reliefs and simple, linear decorations. The shipwreck dates to the third century AD. In 1970, EUA conducted an archaeological study of the shipwreck. The shipwreck of sarcophagi and the shipwreck of columns were studied as part of an educational programme which was initiated by EUA and the University of Bologna in collaboration with Prof. A. Nanneti.