A large ancient shipwreck from classical times with a load of hundreds of pottery jars that would have contained wine or oil has been located off the Aegean Sea island of Andros, authorities said.
The Culture Ministry said in a statement that the wreck of the cargo ship, dated by its pottery to the late 5th and early 4th centuries BC, was discovered following a tip-off from a member of the public.
It lies at a depth of up to 44 meters and carried three different types of undecorated, two-handled jars used to transport liquids, known as amphoras.
According to initial estimates, the ship was carrying 600-650 amphoras.
“This particularly interesting find enriches our knowledge of trade and seafaring during late classical times,” the ministry statement said. “Its further study is expected to provide further interesting information on the cargo and its provenance.”
