UK University Surveys Ancient Greek City

To view underwater antiquities researchers from Plymouth University in the United Kingdom conducted a marine geoarchaeological survey in Methoni Greece with the Kongsberg GeoAcoustics Dual Frequency Side Scan Sonar and GeoPulse Pinger Sub-Bottom Profiler.

For artifact detection and seabed feature mapping researchers used the sonar transceiver installed in a portable canopy and combined with the Model 159D towfish. The sub-bottom profiler mounted flexibly over the side of the inflatable boat was used for investigation of sub-seabed artifacts.

The survey results from the side scan survey present digital sonograph records and geo-referenced mosaics of the submerged prehistoric settlement ruins the ancient harbor and its submerged breakwater as well as records of historic shipwrecks cannons and artifacts over the site. The results from the shallow seismic survey highlight profiles of semi-buried historic shipwrecks and the existence of a dip slip fault along the bay approaches which potentially poses evidence of the geological process that caused the settlement submersion.