RHODES Commercial harbour - 2007

A galley, shipwrecked just outside the commercial harbour of Rhodes, was excavated by the Ephoreia of Underwater Antiquities. The ship dates to the 13th Ct, likely to the period when the Knights of St John controlled the island. The presence outside the keel of a cannon, 3 swords and stone cannon balls is noted. Finds from the same area include anc. amphorae and pottery (some of Hel date), confirming that the harbour of anc. Rhodes was in the same position. The recent exposure of antiquities in the harbour is attributed to the effect of the propellors of large cruise ships in agitating the sand and thus increasing the d. of the harbour by 5−6m.

Reports also note the discovery by the EMA of a hoard of 3,000 gold coins, plus jewellery and other vessels, in a 17th−18th Ct AD shipwreck inside the commercial harbour of Rhodes, in the same general area as the 13th Ct wreck noted above. The quantity of antiquities in the area is noted.