An astonishing archaeological breakthrough has been made on the seabed off the coast of Bulgaria: a meticulously preserved ancient Greek trading vessel dating back 2,400 years has been discovered, officially making it the world’s oldest known intact shipwreck. Dated to approximately 400 B.C., the ship lies at a depth of over 2,000 meters in the unique anoxic (oxygen-free) waters of the Black Sea, which has acted as a perfect natural preservative for organic materials like wood over millennia. This extraordinary find, complete with its mast, rudders, and rowing benches, provides an unprecedented, game-changing look into the shipbuilding technology and seafaring of the Classical world. The discovery was part of the large-scale Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project (Black Sea MAP), which has mapped over 60 wrecks, ranging from Roman trading vessels to a 17th-century Cossack fleet.
The Anoxic Preserve: A Biological Time Capsule
The remarkable, near-perfect condition of the ancient Greek merchant ship is attributed entirely to the unique geological conditions of the Black Sea. Below a depth of about 150 meters, the water becomes completely anoxic, meaning it is devoid of oxygen. This crucial difference prevents the survival of wood-devouring marine organisms, such as shipworms, which are responsible for the rapid decomposition of shipwrecks in shallower, oxygenated seas.
Lying more than two kilometers (1.2 miles) deep, the vessel has been safe from both biological decay and human interference. This rare preservation environment has not only kept the main structure of the hull intact but has also conserved delicate organic features, presenting a snapshot of life and engineering from the Classical period as if time had stopped the moment it sank.
A Ship from Myth: The Siren Vase Connection
The 23-meter (75-foot) wreck is a trading vessel of a type that was previously known to historians only through depictions on ancient Greek pottery. Most notably, the ship closely resembles the one illustrated on the famous “Siren Vase,” a piece of pottery dating to around 480 B.C. currently held in the British Museum, which shows the hero Odysseus lashed to the mast to resist the Sirens’ deadly song.
The vessel’s main components—including its mast still standing, the quarter rudders in place at the stern, and even the coiled ropes—are perfectly preserved. This level of detail offers maritime archaeologists an unparalleled opportunity to study ancient shipbuilding techniques. According to Professor Jon Adams, the project’s principal investigator, the discovery “will change our understanding of shipbuilding and seafaring in the ancient world.”
The Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project
The discovery of the world’s oldest intact shipwreck was a “happy by-product” of a much larger, three-year scientific mission known as the Black Sea MAP. The project’s primary goal was to investigate changes in the Black Sea’s ancient environment and sea level fluctuations since the last Ice Age.
Using advanced Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) equipped with high-resolution cameras and laser scanners, the international team surveyed over 2,000 square kilometers of the seabed. This extensive survey led to the discovery of over 60 shipwrecks, covering a 2,500-year history of maritime trade in the region. These finds include beautifully preserved Roman trading ships laden with amphorae (large storage jars) and even an Ottoman-era warship. While a small piece of the Greek vessel was removed for radiocarbon dating to confirm its age, the main wreck remains untouched on the seabed to ensure its continued preservation.
