One would expect that few discoveries remain to be made in the Mediterranean, since for years divers, now aided by robots, have repeatedly combed virtually every corner of this sea in search of traces of the past. But technology and human capabilities have limits that, fortunately, rapid development and evolution can overcome. An example of this is the discovery made by a group of French researchers in one of the deepest and therefore unexplored areas of the Mediterranean.
At a depth of about 2,750 metres, they found a ship, trapped in a kind of natural time capsule, as it was in surprising condition due to the fact that there were almost no currents in the area where it was found, the temperature was close to freezing and the peculiar chemistry of the water acted as a natural preservative. But it was not only the exterior of the ship that was in very good condition, as around 200 decorated ceramic jars were found inside, leading archaeologists to conclude that it was a 16th-century Renaissance treasure.
Cutting-edge technology to reach the bottom
Although this is a fascinating discovery from a historical point of view, the technology used to descend was also fascinating. The researchers used French army equipment, specifically remotely controlled submersible vehicles with articulated arms, 4K cameras and mapping systems. The level of precision of these arms is remarkable, as despite being controlled thousands of metres below the sea, they can operate with millimetre precision, preserving the objects found. And that’s not all: to prevent these objects from being damaged when they return to the surface, they undergo desalination and stabilisation processes in specialised laboratories. With this discovery, it is becoming increasingly clear that archaeology is transforming and that robotics, data science and advanced conservation will be fundamental in the future in helping us to understand the past even better.
