News - Week 1

Aristea – unmasked

A streamlined set-up

Aristea – masked

Author: Bjoern Loven and Aristea Korre

Excavations began on the 2nd of October and by the end of week 2 we had opened three trenches: two trenches in presumed closed deposits which we hope will enable us to date two construction phases of the shipsheds, and one trench in an area between two shipshed complexes. The two deposits are very promising as they have already yielded lots of diagnostic ceramics.

Below, Aristea Korre reports on her first seven days at the ZHP. Aristea (and Dina, who is also working with us at Zea) is from the first batch of archaeologists out of the Maritime Archaeology Programme at South Danish University. My first impression: it makes a big difference that the students have been trained as commercial divers - this simply is a major step up in adding to the professionalism to our field.

Fresh out of South Danish University
(by Aristea Korre)

The first two days of the excavation were days of familiarization with the equipment, it was the first time for me to use surface supply, and with the working system. The older members of the Zea Harbour team explained everything thoroughly. In these days also the objectives and the organizing of the excavation were made clear.

By the end of the first day all the infrastructure (water pumps etc.) was set up and the first dive was carried out. In the second day four dives were realized. Every stage of the procedure was explained by the older members, concerning the techniques and methods.

The third day (Monday) was my first diving day. Under the guidance of Mads Moller Nielsen, who was diving with me, and the help of Chrysanthi Papadopoulou and Vasilis Tsiairis on land I was introduced in diving for the first time in contaminated water, I got an idea of the surroundings and started the excavation.

Tuesday didn’t involve diving for me but tendering and observing the methodology. Day by day and with the significant help of the older members of the project everything becomes clearer and easier. It was Dina’s first dive.

On Wednesday I dived and excavated for the second time. It was easier than the previous one, while on Thursday it was Andrew’s turn- the third new member of the team. Finally on Friday I had my third dive, when I took some pictures and I excavated.

In general the excavation is moving on quickly. Till now the older members are diving more and teaching a lot. There are many new things to learn that we didn’t have the chance to experience in the university, like diving in contaminated water, which make it really interesting, but I find the supreme quality of the project to be the very good team.