Pavlopetri: The oldest known submerged town
The world's oldest known submerged town has been revealed after aquatic archaeologists were given special permission to dive there.Located off the southern Laconia coast of Greece the underwater city of Pavlopetri was discovered in 1967 -- but until now archaeologists have not been allowed to dive there.
But after seeking special permission from the Greek government, a team from the University of Nottingham have led an expedition to find out more about the sunken city.
They have already discovered examples of late Neolithic pottery proving that 6,000 years ago Pavlopetri was a thriving port city - that's 1,200 years earlier than previously known.
On hearing the odd news most people will think about one of two phrases 'lost city of Atlantis' or 'global warming' - which one were you?.
The total town area is about 100,000 square metres, about half of which has so far been mapped. Much is still covered by sand. The team has already found a new area of ruins, measuring about 100 by 100 metres.
Dr Nic Flemming of the NOC said: "The discovery of Neolithic pottery is incredible!
"It means that we are looking at a port city which may be 5000-6000 years old, with trade goods and wrecks nearby showing some of the very earliest days of seafaring trade in the Mediterranean.
"What we've got here is something which is two or even three thousand years older than most of the submerged cities which have been studied.
"And it is uniquely complete. We have almost the complete town plan, the main streets and all of the domestic buildings. We can study how it was used as a port, where ships came in and how trade was managed."
LINKS
National Oceanography Centre
Dr Nic Flemming of the NOC said: "The discovery of Neolithic pottery is incredible!
"It means that we are looking at a port city which may be 5000-6000 years old, with trade goods and wrecks nearby showing some of the very earliest days of seafaring trade in the Mediterranean.
"What we've got here is something which is two or even three thousand years older than most of the submerged cities which have been studied.
"And it is uniquely complete. We have almost the complete town plan, the main streets and all of the domestic buildings. We can study how it was used as a port, where ships came in and how trade was managed."
LINKS
National Oceanography Centre
