2,300-year-old wine ship found under Cyprus sands

The sand-buried hull of a 2,300 year-old cargo ship thought to have been ferrying wine from the Aegean island of Chios when it sank off Cyprus is to be excavated.

The vessel, dating from the mid-fourth century BC is one of only a few such ships to have been found so well-preserved, said University of Cyprus marine archaeologist Stella Demesticha.

Initial surveying dives found a jumble of dozens of clay urns used to carry wine and other liquids and solid foodstuffs lying on the seabed in the shape of the ship.

Ms Demesticha said researchers believe the ship’s hull is buried under tons of sand.

Divers will start the next surveying phase in early June, followed by another in October.

The ship appears to be a contemporary of the famed Kyrenia, a 50ft merchant vessel that another Greek Cypriot diver accidentally discovered off the island’s northern coast more than 40 years ago.