Imagine it’s the middle of the night on September 16th, 2017. You’re 60 kilometers off the coast of Bulgaria, and two kilometers below the surface of the Black Sea. A remotely operated vehicle is exploring the seabed, sending live video footage to researchers above. Suddenly, it spots something extraordinary—a shipwreck from ancient times, astonishingly well-preserved with its mast, rowing benches, and parts of its upper deck still intact. Although it looks like a Roman ship, its features, especially the rudder, resemble those found on ancient Greek artifacts. To determine its true origins, researchers collect samples from the wreck, and radiocarbon dating reveals it dates back to between 350 and 410 BCE, making it the oldest intact shipwreck ever discovered.
This ancient Greek ship sailed the coasts of the Black Sea during the era of Aristotle and has remained untouched for nearly 2,500 years. It is just one of 65 shipwrecks found at the bottom of the Black Sea between 2015 and 2017, with others from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods. These shipwrecks are remarkably well-preserved, sparking curiosity about why the Black Sea is home to so many ancient treasures.
In prehistoric times, the lands around the Black Sea were inhabited by early human communities. Over the centuries, it became a hub for trade, conflict, and empire-building due to its strategic location between Eastern and Western Eurasian civilizations. Merchants, pirates, and warriors frequently sailed its waters, leading to numerous shipwrecks.
The Black Sea is a deep, semi-enclosed basin, unlike other bodies of water in the region. Typically, seasonal changes cause water layers to mix, oxygenating the entire body. However, the Black Sea receives fresh water from European rivers and saltwater from the Mediterranean Sea, creating two distinct layers. The denser saltwater settles below the freshwater and remains there permanently, making the Black Sea the world’s largest meromictic basin. This means oxygen does not reach the lower, saltier layer, creating an ideal environment for preservation. This unique condition has earned the Black Sea the nickname “the world’s biggest pickle jar.”
In most bodies of water, marine organisms break down materials over time. Had the ancient Greek ship sunk in the Mediterranean, it likely would have disintegrated by now. However, in the Black Sea’s depths, only anaerobic bacteria—those that survive without oxygen—can exist. This is why ancient ships can still be found with their original cargo, wood carvings, and rigging intact.
Among the recent discoveries was a medieval Italian merchant ship, dating back to when Italy was a major player in Black Sea trade. This type of vessel would have been familiar to Venetian explorer Marco Polo. Although ships like this played a crucial role in modernizing Europe, scholars had never seen such a complete example before. It was largely intact, with a ship’s boat still on its deck, despite being submerged for seven centuries.
Many of the 65 ships uncovered have retained their original forms. However, while the Black Sea’s depths protect them from many degradative forces, anaerobic bacteria gradually weaken organic materials. When researchers lifted a plank from the ancient Greek wreck for dating, it broke under its own weight. Although these ships are exceptionally well-preserved, they are also fragile, making it impossible to bring them to the surface intact. Scientists may carefully remove and study select objects from the wrecks, but the sunken ships will remain protected where they are, perhaps among thousands of others—deep beneath us, suspended in time, at the bottom of the Black Sea.
Engage in a virtual reality simulation that allows you to explore the depths of the Black Sea. Experience the unique environment that preserves ancient shipwrecks and observe the conditions that have kept these historical treasures intact for centuries.
Participate in a hands-on workshop where you will learn about the principles of radiocarbon dating. Apply these techniques to hypothetical samples from shipwrecks to determine their age and historical context, similar to the methods used by researchers in the article.
Join a debate on the ethical considerations of preserving ancient shipwrecks in situ versus recovering them for study. Discuss the implications of each approach on historical research and cultural heritage, using the Black Sea discoveries as a case study.
Conduct research on the ancient trade routes that passed through the Black Sea. Prepare a presentation that highlights the significance of these routes in historical trade and cultural exchange, and how the shipwrecks provide insights into these activities.
Work in groups to create a detailed report on meromictic basins like the Black Sea. Explore their unique ecological characteristics and their role in preserving historical artifacts. Present your findings to the class, emphasizing the scientific and historical importance of these environments.
It’s midnight on September 16th, 2017, 60 kilometers off the Bulgarian coast and 2 kilometers beneath the surface of the Black Sea. A remotely operated vehicle surveys the seabed, transmitting video to researchers above. Suddenly, it detects another vessel in the darkness. This is an ancient shipwreck, with its mast, rowing benches, and some of its upper deck remarkably intact. While it might resemble an ancient Roman ship, its features, particularly the splayed rudder blade, are more similar to those depicted on older Greek artifacts. To confirm its origins, the research team takes three samples from the wreck, and radiocarbon dating reveals it dates back to between 350 and 410 BCE. This ship is the oldest intact shipwreck ever found.
This ancient Greek vessel navigated the Black Sea’s coasts during the time of Aristotle and has remained undisturbed for nearly 2,500 years. It is one of 65 shipwrecks discovered at the bottom of the Black Sea between 2015 and 2017, with others dating from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Remarkably, these shipwrecks have survived in excellent condition.
So, why are there so many well-preserved shipwrecks in the Black Sea? In prehistoric times, the land surrounding the Black Sea was home to early human settlements. Over time, it became a center for trade, conflict, and empire-building due to its strategic location between eastern and western Eurasian civilizations. For thousands of years, it was traversed by merchants, pirates, and warriors, leading to inevitable losses at sea.
Unlike other bodies of water in the region, the Black Sea is a deep, semi-enclosed basin. Seasonal changes typically cause the layers within a contained body of water to mix, oxygenating it. However, the Black Sea is fed by fresh water from European rivers and saltwater from the Mediterranean Sea, resulting in two distinct layers. The denser saltwater flows beneath the freshwater and remains permanently, making the Black Sea the world’s largest meromictic basin. Oxygen does not reach the lower, saltier zone, creating an ideal environment for preservation, which is why the Black Sea is often referred to as “the world’s biggest pickle jar.”
In other bodies of water, marine organisms decompose materials over time. If the ancient Greek ship had sunk in the Mediterranean, for instance, it likely would have left no organic material today. However, in the depths of the Black Sea, only anaerobic bacteria—those that do not require oxygen—can survive. This is why ancient ships can still be found with their original cargo, carvings in their wood, and rigging still assembled.
Among the recent discoveries was a medieval Italian merchant ship, likely from the time when Italy had a significant presence in Black Sea trade. Venetian traveler Marco Polo would have been familiar with this type of vessel. Although ships like this helped modernize Europe, contemporary scholars had never seen such a complete example before. It was largely intact, with a ship’s boat still on its deck, despite the passage of seven centuries.
Many of the 65 ships uncovered have retained their original forms. However, while there are fewer degradative forces in the Black Sea’s depths, anaerobic bacteria do gradually weaken organic materials. When researchers lifted a plank from the ancient Greek wreck for dating, it broke under its own weight. While the ships are exceptionally well-preserved, they are also fragile, making it impossible to bring them to the surface intact. Scientists may carefully remove and study select objects from the wrecks, but the sunken ships will remain protected where they are, perhaps among thousands of others—deep beneath us, suspended in time, at the bottom of the Black Sea.
Black Sea – A large inland sea bordered by Eastern Europe and Western Asia, known for its historical significance as a trade route and its unique ecological characteristics. – The Black Sea has been a crucial maritime route for ancient civilizations, facilitating trade and cultural exchanges between Europe and Asia.
Shipwreck – The remains of a ship that has been destroyed or sunk, often studied by archaeologists to understand historical maritime activities. – The discovery of a well-preserved shipwreck in the Black Sea provided valuable insights into ancient Greek trading practices.
Ancient – Belonging to the very distant past, often referring to the period before the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. – Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Mesopotamians made significant contributions to the development of writing and mathematics.
Preservation – The act of maintaining or protecting something from decay or destruction, often applied to historical artifacts and sites. – The preservation of ancient manuscripts in the dry climate of the Egyptian desert has allowed historians to study early human writing systems.
Archaeology – The scientific study of human history and prehistory through the excavation and analysis of artifacts, structures, and other physical remains. – Archaeology has revealed much about the daily lives of ancient peoples through the excavation of settlements and burial sites.
Meromictic – Referring to a body of water, such as a lake or sea, that has layers of water that do not intermix, often leading to unique ecological conditions. – The meromictic nature of the Black Sea contributes to the preservation of shipwrecks by creating an oxygen-deprived environment that slows decay.
Anaerobic – Relating to or requiring an absence of free oxygen, often used to describe environments or processes that occur without oxygen. – Anaerobic conditions in the deep layers of the Black Sea have helped preserve organic materials from ancient shipwrecks.
Trade – The exchange of goods and services, which has been a fundamental aspect of human societies and economies throughout history. – The Silk Road was a major trade route that connected the East and West, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture.
Civilization – A complex society characterized by urban development, social stratification, cultural and technological advancements, and a recognized form of governance. – The Indus Valley Civilization is noted for its advanced urban planning and sophisticated drainage systems.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often involving the analysis of written records, artifacts, and other sources. – Understanding history allows us to learn from past societies and apply those lessons to contemporary challenges.
