Researchers Find World’s Oldest Intact Shipwreck in Black Sea

The world’s oldest intact shipwreck has been found in the Black Sea. 

The 75-ft long Greek merchant ship was found lying on its side on the sea floor about 50 miles off the coast of Bulgaria by a team of researchers working on the Black Sea Maritime Archeology Project. They say that the ship is more than 2,400 years old — dating to around 400 BC —  and closely matches designs found on ancient Greek wine vases.

According to the BBC, the ship is intact, including the rowing benches and the contents of its hold. The researchers sent a remote operated vehicle down to the wreck to film and explore it. 

“It’s like another world,” Dr. Helen Farr told the BBC.”When the ROV drops down through the water column and you see this ship appear in the light at the bottom so perfectly preserved it feels like you step back in time.”

The researchers don’t yet know where the wrecked ship hailed from. They believe that a closer look at the contents of the hold could reveal more about who piloted the ship, but since the ship is somewhat intact, its contents aren’t readily apparent. They are in need of more funding if they wish to do further exploration. 

“Normally we find [wine vases] and can guess where it’s come from, but with this it’s still in the hold,” Farr said. “As archeologists we’re interested in what it can tell us about technology, trade and movements in the area.”

All told, the researchers found 60 shipwrecks during their three-year mapping project, though none were as immediately significant as what is thought to be the oldest complete shipwreck ever found.  Take a look at it up top.