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All images courtesy Dr. George Papalambrou, Assistant Professor, School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens er supply and communication devices for Internet connection. cal period in ancient Greece. It is estimated that it could carry

On the occasion of the successful completion of the initial about 4,000 amphorae and had a displacement of 120 tons. operation phase of the “NOUS” system in Alonissos, more de- The pointed bottom (oxypythmenos in Greek) amphorae are tailed information and perspectives are presented in this article. the most common commercial transport vessels of antiquity,

The system was installed in February 2020, at the ancient weighing about 8-10 kg and having a capacity of 15-25 li- shipwreck of Peristera, at Alonissos island, Northern Spo- ters. They are perhaps one of the most ingeniously invented rades, Greece, providing for the ? rst time worldwide the and practical vessels of antiquity, having two handles to aid capability for continuous monitoring of an underwater mu- transportation, a narrow high neck and a sharp end to allow seum. The wreck is located 200 meters from the rocky islet them to be safely stowed in the hold. The spectacular ship- of Peristera and at a depth of 21 to 33 meters. It is a merchant wreck proved that large merchant ships of over 100 tons were ship loaded with thousands of amphorae from Mendi (the already sailing in the Mediterranean in the 5th century BC.

ancient city of Halkidiki) and Peparithos (today’s Skopelos), The prototype system in Peristera started its pilot operation areas known in antiquity for their wine. The pile of ampho- in March 2020. The project was commissioned and funded rae, which extends over a length of 25 meters, gives a sense by the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities / Ministry of Cul- of the contour and large dimensions of the ancient merchant ture & Sports under the European program “Bluemed MED ship. The ship is described as one of the largest of the classi- 2014-2020”.

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