By
John Fardoulis
The underwater shipwreck excavation on the Mentor shipwreck
was really successful this year, at lot new items were found, particularly
personal items from the passengers and crew.
A greater number of coins were also found, at
least two ancient silver coins which were antiquities acquired by Lord Elgin,
passengers or the crew. Plus two gold coins, used as currency at the time, from
the late 1700’s.
Other coins were also recovered but require
conservation before they can be identified. Some of these may also be ancient.
Finding three ancient coins on the wreck last
year created international news, prompting a question about what other
antiquities Lord Elgin was transporting, in addition to crates of Parthenon
marbles/sculptures. There may be even more questions from this year’s finds,
after conservation of currently unidentified coins is completed.
Another pistol was recovered, a fob (pocket)
watch, personal seal with a cannon on it and gold chain, a pipe, ring, part of
navigation instruments, bottles, musket balls, cannon balls, crockery and
ceramics possibly from the galley (kitchen) area.
Some people believe that cannons in the small
fortress in Avlemonas were from the Mentor.
We took two cannon balls raised from the wreck this year and placed them in the
cannons, which revealed that the four cannons on the Mentor would have been smaller.
Brief History
The Mentor was a
small Brig, carrying 16 crates of Parthenon sculptures and a marble throne, en-route
to Malta for the United Kingdom,
which sank off Avlemonas in Kythera in September 1802.
Diaries from the time tell us that the 16 crates
of Parthenon sculptures and marble throne were recovered by sponge divers from
Simi and Kalymnos in 1802-1804. We don’t yet know what else remains, buried on
the bottom of the sea, near Avlemonas.
This is a project of international significance,
putting Kythera in the news around the world last year, with many stories
written in national Greek newspapers, television and radio coverage, plus
features in magazines in many different countries.
Uncovering
the Ship
A lot more of the hull was uncovered this year,
revealing much more wood that was buried (and preserved) under the sand. Many
small objects have also been preserved under the sand, which is promising for
future excavation seasons.
Our team has re-covered exposed wood on the
bottom of the sea for now, so that marine organisms don’t attack parts of the
hull that have survived.
Display
So far we have found enough material for an
excellent museum display. Plus, parts of the wooden hull are still buried in
the sand, which could be raised at some stage. Promising new finds – of
international significance because of ties this wreck has with the Parthenon,
which will hopefully increase awareness regarding the need to reopen the archaeological
museum in Chora.
A small exhibit might also be possible in the new
Acropolis museum in Athens,
perhaps a cabinet or two with artefacts from the shipwreck, photos and video,
explaining Kythera’s link to the modern history of the Parthenon.
Protection
Many people ask us about how the wreck will be
protected when the team from the Ephorate of Maritime Antiquities isn’t in
Kythera, and the answer contains three elements.
a.
It is illegal to dive with tanks (Scuba) in that
area without a permit, so the law already protects the wreck. The coast guard
has been asked to monitor the area.
b.
The local fishermen pass by the area all the
time and will keep a look out for strangers anchoring near the wreck.
c.
Most of the finds have been located beneath the
sand, which requires a lot of equipment – a noisy compressor, hoses etc. to
clear the sand away. So nature is also protecting the wreck, as it would be
obvious if strangers tried to use heavy machinery to try and excavate.
Thanks &
Acknowledgements
The major sponsor in 2012 was the Stavros
Niarchos Foundation (snf.org), supported by my foundation, the Kytherian
Research Group with help from the Kytherian Association of Australia and
Nicholas Anthony Aroney trust.
Dr. Dimitris Kourkoumelis is the archaeologist
in charge from the Ephorate of Marine Antiquities and deserves a lot of thanks
for adding this project to the 2012 Ephorate research program. The team from
the Ephorate brought a lot of equipment this year, including an 8.5m RIB (dive
boat), a truck, many compressors and a lot of other diving-related machinery.
Team members from the Ephorate included; Louis
Mercenier, Manolis Tzefronis, Petros Tsampourakis and Themistocles Troupakis,
highly experienced government divers and engineers. Plus archaeologist
Alexander C. Tourtas, Dimitris J. Dimitriou and Manouil Kourkoumelis.
Myself and Scott Leimroth came from Australia for the project and Cosmos Coroneos
supported from back in Australia
this year.
Adonis Kyrou also deserves thanks, he’s had an
inspiring influence on the project.
More
Information
We have taken a lot of underwater video and
photos, which may be used in producing a documentary at some stage. In the
meantime, more will be added to the web site: www.krg.org.au/mentor over the next few
months.
