Unveiling the Wonders of Underwater Archaeology

The depths of the underwater have always been a mystery to mankind, and subsequently have been a matter of conquest for explorers since times immemorial. With the emergence of an archaeological branch like underwater archaeology, the fascination with the mysteries of the waters has now become a scientific ordeal. From accidental discoveries to groundbreaking conquests, this industry has contributed immensely to unearthing hidden ancient treasures. 

The birth of underwater archaeology started with an accidental discovery in 1985 along the coast of Marseille. Henri Cosquer was on one of his routine diving sessions, completely oblivious to what he was about to uncover. Cosquer discovered a submerged cave entrance at a depth of 37 meters leading to a significant archaeological revelation. Finally in 1991, after months and numerous attempts, Cosquer and his companions successfully reached the main cave entrance. The cave was named Cosquer Cave in his honour.

 The cave revealed a narrow, stone-carved chamber with completely dry interiors. It was adorned with mysterious prehistoric paintings dating back to 19,000-27,000 years ago. These paintings depicted lifelike images of animals like seals, fish, horses, mountain goats and seabirds, resembling a time portal to the Stone Age. Fritz Jurgens, a marine archaeologist from the University of Kiel, pointed out that the conservation conditions in Cosquer Cave were marvelous. Organic materials like textiles, leather and wood were also preserved. Fascinating enough, this cave remains the only known underwater sanctuary that has defied the ravages of time. 

According to Fritz Jürgens, underwater environments provide exceptional conservation conditions that enable the preservation of artifacts in a condition that is frequently unattainable for archaeologists working on land. But the field is not without its difficulties: issues in accessing the underwater sites, logistics of transportation, weather, and the ever-changing nature of water present ongoing difficulties. Archaeologists employ a plethora of sophisticated tools and techniques to combat these challenges. Modern and historical nautical charts, side scans, multi beams etc are a few techniques which are indispensable in the field of underwater archaeology. The limitations that come with GPS at greater depths are resolved by technologies like LiDAR, advanced imaging tools, and submersibles. LiDAR, that is Light Detection And Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light to measure distances. LiDAR is one of the most pivotal technologies employed in the discovery and documentation of underwater archaeological sites. 

Underwater archaeology is undeniably an important factor when it comes to unravelling various parts of human history. It not only shows us the history of sailing and maritime, but also sheds light on the long lost civilisations. This discipline serves as a guardian for cultural heritage as it preserves ancient artifacts even in the face of decay and time. Underwater archaeology has also provided insights about the ancient ecosystems and their evolution through time, this giving us a unique perspective on climate change and its impact on our global ecology. This discipline holds narratives of lost cities and civilisations, offering a glimpse into the daily lives and traditions of a forgotten era.

The submerged ruins of Alexandria exemplify this phenomenon, with their story beginning with a lighthouse. The lighthouse of Alexandria, also known as the Pharos of Alexandria, was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It stood on the small island of Pharos, and is known to be a marvel of ancient engineering. The lighthouse was commissioned by Ptolemy II Philadelphus, the ruler of Egypt. The exact details and structure of the monument are still not well documented, but it is believed to be a three tiered structure, approximately 100-130 meters tall. The lower tier was a square shaped pedestal like building, with the middle tier being cylindrical and the top tier being a cylindrical tower with a statue that has popularly been interpreted as the Greek god Zeus or Poseidon. Over the years, there have been multiple efforts to locate the remains of the Mediterranean marvel. However, the exact location of the ruins of the lighthouse remain uncertain. In recent times, various underwater surveys and investigations using cutting edge equipment have been carried out in the waters off Alexandria. While these investigations have led to the discovery of artifacts of Alexandria, a conclusive discovery of the monument is yet to be made. 

Florian Huber, who is a seasoned research diver, reveals the coincidental nature of most underwater discoveries. The depths of the waters often conceal not only remains of ships but also ruins of settlements and other artifacts which are often uncovered during environmental work or sometimes even chance encounters by recreational divers. 

UNDERWATER DISCOVERIES 

Over the years, there have been many discoveries shedding light on mankind’s history. Here are some of the most significant underwater discoveries in mankind. 

In 2000, the IEASM, led by Franck Goddio, discovered the ancient city of Thonis-Heracleion after his team identified a series of artifacts and ruins in the Aboukir Bay in Egypt. The investigation was a collective effort between IEASM and the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. The existence of this city was known primarily from textual sources that mentioned it as a significant trade hub. The submersion of this city was only known as a legend or tale before this groundbreaking discovery occurred. Through the excavation, a variety of artifacts were uncovered, like colossal statues, granite sphinxes, jewelry, pottery and ruins of temples and grand structures. One of the most iconic retrievals from the excavation was a huge stone slab, called a stele, which was inscribed with hieroglyphics. This structure mentioned both, Thonis and Heracleion, throwing light on the dual nature of the city. This excavation also showed us a glimpse of the grand architecture of the ancient city. A temple adorned with ceremonial sculptures was uncovered during this investigation. This temple was dedicated to the god Amun-Gereb, depicting the cultural and spiritual significance of that city. 

The Yonaguni monument, or the Yonaguni Submarine Ruins is an underwater rock formation off the coast of Yonaguni which is an island in the Okinawa archipelago of Japan. This formation was discovered in 1986 by Kihachiro Aratake. The monument is primarily made of large, flat slabs of rocks. Some parts of this formation resembled terraces, while others seem to be carvings and pillars. There is a longstanding debate regarding this rock formation, about whether this is a natural geological formation or if it is an artificially made monument. Researchers have argued that this is a naturally occurring formation, formed through geological processes like tectonic activity and erosion. Other researchers believe that this is a manmade formation due to its carvings which are rather unusual for naturally occurring patterns. The investigation of this monument involved technology like sonar mapping, geological analysis and underwater photography. Despite many efforts, the exact age of this monument has yet not been traced. Analyzing the age of an underwater relic can be rather complex. Some researchers have tried to trace back the monument's age to when the region was above sea level, which could be around thousands of years ago. 

The Antikythera Mechanism is a remarkable ancient Greek relic that was discovered in 1901 off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera. It was first discovered by Greek sponge divers, who were investigating a nearby shipwreck. The artifact has been dated back to the 1st century, approximately around 150-100 BCE. Among the findings of these relics, a corroded lump of bronze and wood was found which was initially disregarded as unimportant. Upon close inspection and analysis of this lump, it was found that this artifact was actually a very intricate and sophisticated system of gears and dials. The mechanism contains around 30 bronze gears and dials of various sizes with precision teeth that were designed to interact with one another to perform calculations. This sophisticated system of dials and gears put this artifact far ahead in terms of progress for the era that it is speculated to originate from. After a thorough analysis, the function of this artifact was deduced to be for calculating and displaying astronomical information. It is believed that this was a type of an analog computer that predicted the positions of celestial bodies and other astronomical events. Hence, this artifact is also known as the first analog computer. The Antikythera mechanism also has various inscriptions in Greek letters and numbers on its surface, many of which provide information about the workings of the system to calculate the celestial cycles and workings etc. 

Researchers have used and continue to use advanced imaging technologies like 3D X RAY scanning and Computer Modeling to study the workings of this mechanism further. 

The future of Underwater Archaeology

Underwater Archaeology, like any scientific discipline, faces numerous challenges. The preservation of the environment and cultural heritage is further complicated by ethical considerations, which go beyond practical difficulties. Underwater archaeology's constantly developing technology and methods push boundaries of discovery. Important aspects of the discipline include developing reliable connections with local communities, abiding by international law, and accepting responsibility for protecting underwater cultural heritage.

The lure of unearthing hidden riches remains, tempting archaeologists to delve into the secrets that lie beneath the waves and add to our understanding of history even as technology develops and new difficulties appear. Once a mute spectator of history, the underwater world is now alive with stories of long-gone civilizations, just waiting to be discovered by those who are brave enough to descend into its depths.