Diving archaeologists have discovered a 2,400-year-old shipwreck off the Greek island of Andros that was carrying a cargo of hundreds of ancient artifacts. A “private individual” found the wreck at a depth of 128 to 144 feet and alerted officials, according to Greece’s Ministry of Culture. An initial count revealed about 600 to 650 amphoras, the ceramic storage jars that were used to transport wine, olive oil, and other goods throughout the ancient Mediterranean. The Andros wreck had three distinct types of amphoras dating to the late fifth and early fourth centuries B.C., along with a lead anchor stock and several stones that might have been used as ballast to help stabilize the vessel. Officials said one amphora of each type was recovered from the seafloor for sampling and study, though they haven’t yet revealed what the jars might have contained. Researchers are now working to learn more about the ship’s cargo and origins. The discovery “adds to our knowledge of trade and navigation during the Late Classical period,” the Ministry of Culture said in a statement.
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