What is the mission of the international team led by John Adams?

To uncover ancient shipwrecks in the Black Sea.

What technology does the team use to explore the Black Sea's depths?

State-of-the-art imaging systems and photogrammetry.

Discovery of the oldest wreck, a Byzantine merchant ship.

Evidence of the prehistoric Black Sea shoreline.

Struggles to find shipwrecks older than Ottoman ones.

The Black Sea, once hidden behind the Iron Curtain, is now a treasure trove of ancient shipwrecks being explored by an international team led by maritime archaeologist John Adams.
The team's innovative use of cutting-edge technology like 3D photogrammetry and sediment core analysis is uncovering invaluable evidence of lost civilizations, with the discovery of a Byzantine merchant ship marking a groundbreaking achievement in maritime archaeology.

What is the mission of the international team led by John Adams?
To uncover ancient shipwrecks in the Black Sea.
What technology does the team use to explore the Black Sea's depths?
State-of-the-art imaging systems and photogrammetry.
What significant milestone did the team achieve in maritime archaeology?
Discovery of the oldest wreck, a Byzantine merchant ship.
What evidence did the team find in the sediment cores extracted from the seabed?
Evidence of the prehistoric Black Sea shoreline.
What challenges did the team face during their expedition in the Black Sea?
Struggles to find shipwrecks older than Ottoman ones.

00:00

The depth of the sea is 261 meters, with excitement in finding shipwrecks.
The exploration vessel, Strill Explorer, sails at 6 knots towards the Black Sea.
An international team led by maritime archaeologist John Adams is on a mission to uncover shipwrecks.
The Black Sea was once a prehistoric lake, now believed to hold ancient shipwrecks.
The Black Sea was hidden behind the Iron Curtain for much of the 20th century.
The team aims to find evidence of lost civilizations and ancient peoples in the Black Sea.
The team includes maritime archaeologist KR Bachvarov and prehistory specialist Helen Farr.
The team uses state-of-the-art imaging systems to explore the Black Sea's depths.
The team discovers a well-preserved Ottoman shipwreck at a depth of 261 meters.
The team uses advanced technology like photogrammetry to survey and retrieve artifacts from shipwrecks.

28:34

Seeing the ship for the first time felt like a religious experience, akin to entering a medieval Gothic cathedral.
The team starts operations after being in position for over two weeks at sea, with scientists, surveyors, and ROV pilots working tirelessly day and night.
The team struggles to find shipwrecks older than Ottoman ones, leading to disappointment and frustration.
Each inspection of wrecks takes up to 6 hours, eating into the schedule and causing stress due to the high stakes involved.
A new wreck is finally discovered, older than Ottomans, likely a merchant ship built in Italy around 1200-1400.
The team uses 3D photogrammetry to explore wrecks digitally, providing insights into history without raising the wrecks.
The team extracts cores of sediment from the seabed, hoping to find evidence of the prehistoric Black Sea shoreline.
Evidence of the prehistoric shoreline is found in the cores, indicating a vast area of dry land now submerged.
The team faces a critical situation when the ROV loses positioning, risking the expedition's progress.
The discovery of the oldest wreck, a Byzantine merchant ship, marks a significant milestone in maritime archaeology, opening a new chapter in history.

55:05

The wreck, potentially a thousand years old, cannot be precisely dated; diving to inspect it firsthand could provide more accurate dating. Safety concerns arise due to the risky 95m dive, with plans in place for medical assistance and safety divers, emphasizing the importance of proper procedures to avoid jeopardizing the entire expedition.