Fournoi - 2021

Fourni. Giorgos Koutsouflakis (Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities) reports on discoveries made during the sixth research season at the Fournoi Archipelago.

A Byzantine period shipwreck was investigated near Cape Fygou (Aspros Kavos), north of the settlement of Kamari on the east coast of Fournoi, 43–48m below the surface. This area is affected by strong winds throughout the year.

Of 58 shipwrecks found at Fournoi, this ship was considered the most scientifically interesting, because of its near-complete condition and the variety of cargo it was carrying, including six different types of amphora from the Black Sea region. A large part of the cargo also comprised ceramics from Phokaia.

Investigation was conducted on the W part of the perimeter, the shallower side of the wreck. A test section was also opened in the NW corner to establish the stratigraphy of the wreck. Fifteen buried amphorae were found, including those attributed to Sinope, some other ceramics, soon wood, and part of a scaffold.

The ceramics helped to date the shipwreck between AD 480 and 520, probably during the reign of Anastasios I (AD 491–518), known from historiographical sources for tax and monetary reforms.

Research was conduct by a team of 25 divers, between them undertaking 292 dives and 220 working hours on the seabed.