Fig. 1 Shipshed η, submerged southern part of the ramp and the southern side-passage can be seen inside the Mark I version of the Enclosure System. The ramp structure of shipshed χ is visible in the background. Photographer: Karen Lovén/© ZHP 2002

Fig. 2 Basement of Sirangiou 1, the colonnade dividing shipsheds η and χ. Shipshed η’s side-passage (the working area of the hauling crew) is visible in the left half. Photographer: Karen Lovén/© ZHP 2002

Fig. 3 Section of the Olympias reconstruction of the Athenian trireme. Colonnade based on the investigated column drums at the Hellenic Maritime Museum Illustrators: J. F. Coates, I. Nakas, B. Lovén.

The excavation in the basement was carried out with the kind permission, and in cooperation with Dr. Steinhauer, Ephor of the Second Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. The underwater investigation was carried out with the kind permission of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities and was supervised by Dr. Kourkoumelis. The column drums were catalogued with the kind permission of the Hellenic Maritime Museum.

Approximately 40 square meters of shipshed η were excavated under water, and the exposed part of the rock-cut ramp is very well preserved (fig. 1). Evidence of the wooden ramp construction was discovered during the excavation: we found postholes running in a line in the middle of the ramp. These postholes most likely fastened a keel slot that guided the warship into the shed.

Furthermore, we exposed cuttings for substantial transverse timbers on the ramp. The foundation trenches of the colonnades continue into the sea. They provide evidence for the length of the superstructure, and thus, the free space under the roof, which represents the best basis for reconstructing the total length of the warship housed in the building. In addition, evidence of the parallel working areas of the hauling crew has been discovered on both sides of the ramp. The marine archaeological excavation of shipshed η will be concluded in 2003.

The excavation of shipshed η in the basement has fully brought to light the monumentality of the Zea shipshed (fig. 2). The masonry work and the foundation cuttings are of a very high quality. The blocks in the back wall are so well dressed that it is not possible to put a razor blade in between the joints and the foundation cuttings for the column bases are smooth to the touch.

One undisturbed context in the basement was excavated and the material from this deposit makes it possible to date the shipshed more precisely than previously thought. A substantial number of tile fragments were exposed in the context together with a black-glazed sherd with an inscription. Similar tiles were found in other contexts in the basement and in the sea, and they present important new evidence of the superstructure of the shipsheds.

The column drums stored at the Hellenic Maritime Museum were catalogued. They were found in 1964 in the northern part of the Zea Harbour basin during dredging for the construction of the marina. The three first column drums in a shipshed column have been identified, and the superstructure can now be reconstructed with certainty to a height of c. 4.026 m, and will make it possible to reconstruct the total height of the columns more accurately. From the dimensions of the columns it is also possible to establish the free space between the colonnades at the reconstructed height of the outrigger, where the beam dimension of the trireme was widest (fig. 3). This will provide the best empirical material for reconstructing the greatest possible width of the Athenian trireme.