An Ottoman period wreck with well-preserved, detailed wood carvings.
The Black Sea has long been important to the powerful empires which have occupied the region.
The researchers are studying changes in water levels and the effects on ancient humans in the area.
An Ottoman period wreck with well-preserved, detailed wood carvings. (Photo:Black Sea MAP/University of Southampton)
Discovering the wrecked vessels was incidental to their main mission.
However, the archeologists have fully embraced what the sunken ships can tell us.
Using remote-operated vehicles (ROVs), the team has explored the wrecks.
A medieval shipwreck in the Black Sea. (Photo:Black Sea MAP/University of Southampton)
The detail captured is remarkable and shows things like masts, bows, and engraved decorative wood.
The teams have surveyed about 60 wrecks and discovered vessels that are Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman.
How have these wrecks survived in such good condition?
The stern of an Ottoman shipwreck discovered under 900 feet of water. (Photo:Black Sea MAP/University of Southampton)
The answer to their incredible preservation lies in the chemistry of the Black Sea.
At about 500 feet deep, the water becomes anoxic or deficient in oxygen.
It is also very low light.
A Byzantine shipwreck is explored by the MMT Surveyor, a remote-operated vehicle (ROV). (Photo:Black Sea MAP/University of Southampton)
This is not conducive to the sort of sea life which would normally feed on sunken wood ships.
Black Sea MAP is bringing its amazing discoveries to the wider world.
Involving advisory schoolchildren in the research, the team has created educational resources for children and teens.
The MMT Surveyor interceptor ROV. (Photo:Black Sea MAP/University of Southampton)
A medieval shipwreck in the Black Sea.
The stern of an Ottoman shipwreck discovered under 900 feet of water.
A Byzantine shipwreck is explored by the MMT Surveyor, a remote-operated vehicle (ROV).
The MMT Surveyor interceptor ROV.
