The systematic underwater excavation conducted by the general secretariat of antiquities and cultural heritage on the a 16th century Spanish wreck wound up for the season.
The excavation, this season was conducted towards the center of the ship, at its widest point. The bracing of the east and west sides, the keelson, and the part of the mid deck were uncovered. The skeleton survives to a large extent allowing the study of the transition of shipbuilding techniques of the 15th and 16th centuries.
The ship is dated a little after the battle of Lepanto and is the only shipwreck of Spanish dominance of the seas during the reign of Philip II, in Greek seas, as shown by the silver coins found and markings on a pistol butt.
Apart from the structural elements of the ship (keel, skeleton, braces, etc) the rest of the findings are pieces of the ship's equipment, as well as everyday objects like plates and chinaware, and a great number of hazelnuts that are still remarkably preserved.
Because of the cost and the technology involved in preservation, an emphasis is given, globally on in situ preservation, as foreseen by the UMESCo charter for the protection of underwater heritage sites.
Therefore, it was decided to cover the site in geotextile, as was first applied to the shipwreck in the mid 1990s.
A pilot method of 3D prototype profiling for a 3D rendering of the seabed was applied to the wreck.
The latest season of work at the wreck was funded by the Piraeus Port Authority and was supported by personnel from the municipality of Piraeus, and the Museum of Piraeus.
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