By John Fardoulis
Antikythera is one of the last frontiers
of the Mediterranean. In winter only about twenty people permanently live
on the island.
However this week, some of the most advanced
technology to date has arrived, together with experts from around the
globe, as part of the “Return to
Antikythera” project that will explore a shipwreck on which the
world’s oldest computing device was found. The latest from 2014, searching for
clues about ancient science and technology from over 2000 years ago.
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Sirius, an underwater robot that can
autonomously map the bottom of the sea.
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Underwater Robots
Over the last two days, a team from the Australian Centre for Field Robotics has been preparing to map the
deep blue waters around the wreck, using Sirius, an Autonomous Underwater
Vehicle (AUV) capable of detailed survey work. Hence, the first phase of
the project is to set a baseline by conducting a high resolution survey,
to provide a detailed map of the area.
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Advanced Diving Operations
Then, the latest in diving technology will be
used to physically examine the area, digging into sand and sediment which
could have preserved material for more than two millennia.
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Phil Short, rebreather instructor trainer,
preparing diving equipment.
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Closed circuit rebreathers will be used for
divers to closely examine the terrain around the wreck, not just
breathing normal air but using helium enriched gasses to minimise narcotic
effects of air at depth.
And the Exosuit will arrive next week. More
about that shortly.
Advanced Communication
The latest technology is also being used to
provide insight into such an exciting project. Greek national mobile carrier Cosmote has installed a 4G network overlooking
the wreck and in the main harbour of the island, allowing the team to share the
excitement with the outside world.
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The Cosmote team: Nikos Zafiropoulos, Giannis
Kritsiotalakis, Giorgos Zannos,
Giannis Makridis, Alkis Froutzos, with
Thanasios Chronopoulos & Alexander Sotiriou.
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Probably the fastest mobile broadband speed in
Greece is currently available over the wreck site (we achieved a 96
Mbs download speed), ironic, as it’s a place where one of Greece’s most
advanced technological devices from more than 2000 years ago was taken by the
sea at approximately 60BC.
Excellent Support
A number of key sponsors have made the project
possible, assisting both financially and operationally.
Hublot provides the official diving watch, the
King Power Oceanographic 4000 and substantial financial support.
Operationally, the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation has graciously provided a well
appointed research vessel, the yacht GLAROS which will remain in
Antikythera for the entire four week duration of the field work.
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GLAROS, the yacht provided by the Aikaterini
Laskaridis foundation
as a research vessel for the expedition. Note Sirius,
located on the top deck.
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We had the pleasure of a visit by Mr & Mrs
Laskaridis for the first few days
of of the project, pictured with Dimitri
& Alexander Sotiriou.
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antikythera.whoi.edu
