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Sea ExplorationsAegean And Black Sea 2006
Aegean And Black Sea 2006
April 26 - June 16, 2006
 From
April to June 2006, scientists from the University of
Rhode Island lead an expedition to study the archaeology
and geology of the Aegean and Black Seas aboard two
research vessels, the Greek R/V AEGAEO and the University
of Rhode Island's R/V ENDEAVOR External Link. The
Institute for Exploration's (IFE) ROV's Hercules
and Argus were utilized, as well as IFE's side-scan sonar
ECHO. April 26 - June 16, 2006. From April to June
2006, scientists from the University of Rhode Island lead
an expedition to study the archaeology and geology of the
Aegean and Black Seas.
This
cruise was divided into three segments, each with different
research goals:
. A geophysical and archaeological survey in the Sea of Crete,
in the southern Aegean.
. An investigation of the distribution of volcanic sediments
from Thera (Santorini).
. An archaeological survey in the northern Black Sea,
off the shores of Ukraine.
The
Sea of Crete has been a crossroads of maritime activity
in the eastern Mediterranean region for thousands
of years. This is the first season of a multi-year geological
and archaeological study in the Sea of Crete. Our
interdisciplinary research team of archaeologists and oceanographers
will correlate geographic and cultural information as we consider
interactions between humans and the sea. We aim to describe
navigational routes and their hazards; to clarify questions
about the nature and organization of communications among
inhabitants of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas,
including trade and colonization; and, to correlate the archaeological
record with the geological stratigraphy of the Sea of Crete.
For
each segment of this mission, there were two survey phases.
We used side scan sonar and sub-bottom profiling to locate
archaeological targets; this was followed by closer investigation
of targets using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) Argus and
Hercules to photograph and collect high-definition video imagery
of each target. Still and visual imagery will be analysed
by scientists both at sea and on shore to determine if it
is geological or archaeological.This record of remains of
human activity will provide valuable information about travel
and commerce throughout the long history of this maritime
crossroads.
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