Because of its rich history and being one of the bedrocks of civilization, Greece has had a thriving world of archeology over the years. Because of the devastating economic crisis of recent times, Greece has been collaborating with archeological organizations from other countries to (literally) dive into their underwater treasure troves to explore their history in more detail, preserve precious artifacts, and use them as opportunities for more tourism.
Here, we can see a trove of antiquities that were discovered not too far from the island of Makronisos. This is just one of many of its kind and researchers are still finding more like it until this very day.
This Dornier 17 Bomber
During the Second World War when bombing raids were regularly conducted, the main challenge had always been to outwit or outrun defending fighter aircraft. This prompted the Germans to invent the Dornier Do 17 “fast bomber” in the mid-1930s.
It was faster and also easier to maneuver. Because of its “shoulder wing” design, the aircraft was difficult to hit, and it was capable of running reconnaissance missions as well. This photograph shows a wreck of the aircraft hauled out from the Goodwin Sands in 2013 after it was discovered in 2008. It was reportedly shot down by enemy fire on August 28, 1940.
The Antikythera Mechanism
This mechanism was found inside a box at a wreck off the coast of the Greek island of Antikythera. After its discovery in 1902, scientists declared, after careful examination and restoration, that it had a gear inside it.
They say this mechanism, invented by early Greek scientists, can predict eclipses, and astronomical positions for decades in advance. This “analog computer” is said to date back to about 87 BC. It was discovered along with other artifacts such as statues, pottery, and jewelry, and it wasn’t noticed within two years of their possession.
Underwater Statues, Cancun
Jason DeCaires Taylor wanted to combine his many skills and talents to produce a new art that was both useful and unique. He integrated his skills as a sculptor, photographer, marine conservationist, and licensed diving instructor, and he came up with works that are considered among the 25 wonders of the world.
The underwater statues in Cancun serve both as an art, which would, later on, develop into a coral reef. It has also become a popular tourist destination, like most of his other projects in the first public sculpture park in the Caribbean Sea.
The Titanic
The tragedy of the RMS Titanic may have later on inspired Hollywood producers to create films surrounding its failed maiden voyage, but the subject remained a taboo for most of the twentieth century. Its accidental collision with an iceberg in 1912 caused more than 1,500 people dead, and British citizens rather avoided talking about it as if hastening to overcome the grief associated with it.
It took many decades to discover the wreck, and it wasn’t an easy undertaking. Robert Ballard and his team of explorers finally found its phantom 12,000 feet underwater, but only after so many attempts had failed, costing millions of dollars. It still remains at the bottom of the ocean albeit split in two; its bow and stern about a third of a mile apart.