7th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology

Ermoupolis, Syros island, Greece Sept. 2001

REMOTE SENSING IN SUBMARINE ARCHAEOLOGY AND MARINE

CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: AN ANCIENT SHIPWRECK
OUTSIDE ZAKYNTHOS PORT, GREECE.
PAPATHEODOROU George, STEFATOS Aris, CHRISTODOULOU Dimitris and
FERENTINOS George
Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography, Department of Geology,
University of Patras, 26 500 Rio Patras, GREECE
E-mail: ethagefo@upatras .gr
ABSTRACT
The Greek Public Power Corporation (PPC) is planning to install four submarine cables
between Zakynthos island and the Killini peninsula in W. Peloponnese. The cable
landing point in Zakynthos side is in close proximity to Signallo Reef, where a postByzantine wreck is referred. The state-of-art remote sensing survey which was carried
out by the Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography, allowed the
accurate relocation of the shipwreck and showed that the primarily planned routes of the
cables were crossing very close to the archaeological site. New cable routes were
carefully planned and detailed maps with special notifications of the archaeological site
were produced and made available to the engineers. All the necessary precautions were
taken so that the safety of the shipwreck would be ensured during the cables lying
operations.
1. INTRODUCTION
The main methodological challenge in marine archaeology is to overcome the physical
barrier of the underwater environment, which substantially increases the amount of
difficulties. This is the reason why, marine archaeologists have come to rely on modern
technology to a greater extent than their colleagues on land.
Modern underwater remote sensing technology (side-scan sonar, subbottom profiler,
magnetometer and remote operated vechicles) introduces many advantages, which
extend the range of conventional diving work. Underwater technology provides us the
means to survey in a detailed and systematic fashion large seafloor areas. The
advantages of such a survey are the following: (i) precision of seafloor mapping, (ii) high
speed of seafloor investigation which is time consuming and therefore can be also
proven cost-effective, (iii) ability to detect buried targets, (iv) higher resolution than the
visual, (v) ability to detect obscure geometrical shapes on the macroscopic scale due to
the broader available seabed view than that of the visual field of a diver, (vi) much less
environmental constrains for carrying out the survey (low visibility, dirty and polluted
waters, strong currents), (vii) reduced diving hours and unnecessary risks.
The underwater remote sensing techniques most commonly applied to submarine
archaeology are side scan sonar, subbottom profiler, marine magnetometer and R.O.V's
(Remote Operated Vehicles). These techniques are being increasingly used in order to
record and protect the underwater cultural resources (Hobbs at al 1994, McGhee et al
1968, Quinn et al 1997 and 1998, Soreide 2000). Quinn et al (2000) embarked on a
national program of seabed mapping in an attempt to record the submerged and buried
historical and archaeological resource of the inshore coastal waters of N. Ireland using
the abovementioned techniques. In 1992 and 1996 F. Goddio of the Institut Europeen
d'Archaeologie Sous-Marine (IEASM), based on the descriptions of ancient historians,
carried out an marine remote sensing survey to establish precisely the contours and

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determine the geographical location of the submerged land and ruins in Alexandria's
Eastern Harbour (Goddio, 2000). Papatheodorou et al (2001) was carried out a
geophysical survey along the coastal zone of Alexandria from Cape Lochias to Stanley
Bay, in order to locate ancient and historical shipwrecks as well as other evidence of
human activity (harbour facilities, breakwaters, piers).
Underwater cultural resources (ancient wrecks, submerged archaeological sites) in
Greece, are protected under the Greek law. In accordance with the law, notification of
the Ephoria of Underwater Antiquities of Greece is required in advance of any proposed
marine development by the public or the private sector. This is in order to investigate
whether there will be any impact to marine cultural resources. Subsequently detailed
submarine archaeological field investigations are required to assess and mitigate the
impact of the proposed development. In Greece, only in the past few years there has
been on increased interest in marine cultural recourse management using remote
sensing techniques. Papatheodorou et al (1999, 2001) were used advanced techniques
of seafloor mapping, in Navarino Bay, for the rational management of an area of
historical significance. Remnants from the sunken battleships of Navarino Battle (1827)
were detected and evidence of wreckage destruction caused by the anchoring of heavy
tankers was recorded.
2. ZAKYNTHOS KILLINI SUBMARINE CABLE CONNECTOR PROJECT
The Zakynthos Killini Submarine Cable Connector project is an example of proposed
development offshore the island of Zakynthos, where archaeological survey was
required by law. The Greek Public Power Corporation (PPC) is planning to install a
150kV power link, consisting of four (4) single core, oil filled submarine cables between
Zakynthos island and the Killini peninsula in W. Peloponnese. The cable landing area in
Zakynthos side was determined by PPC to be the existing power plant beside the
coastline. The landing point and the preselected (by desk study) cables route corridor
are in close proximity to Signallo Reef, where a post-Byzantine wreck is referred.
A detailed remote sensing survey was carried out by the Laboratory of Marine Geology
and Physical Oceanography (Patras University). The scope of this survey was twofolded:
(1) to investigate the area in order to relocate with high accuracy the known shipwreck
and any other that might be detected,
(2) to survey the available cables route corridor in order to find an alternative corridor
which would be in no conflict with the preservation of cultural heritage on the
seabed.
3. THE POST-BYZANTINE WRECK
A wreck of post-Byzantine date, situated on soft seafloor, in water depth of 10m, near
the Signallo Reef, was found in 1980 (Delaporta and Bound, 1999). The wreck's site
was recovered after bomb-disposal divers of the Greek Navy detonated an unexploded
bomb (World War II). A local resident afterwards examined the blast area and found the
wreck emerging from the bottom of the explosion-induced crater. A submarine
archaeological survey was carried out on the wreck's site, for a period of four years, by
the Ephoria of Underwater Antiquities of Greece, Oxford University and the British
School of Athens. With the exception of a delicate glass finial there has been no
evidence of luxury goods or other finery on board. Pieces of stone shot, large quantity of
hazelnuts, numerous pottery fragments and badly deteriorated coins were recovered
from the wreck (Delaporta and Bound, 1999).

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4. METHODOLOGY
4.1. Instrumentation
For the positioning of the survey vessel, a Differential Global Positioning System
(DGPS) model TRIMBLE 7400 Dsi was used. The TRIMBLE positioning system consists
of : (i) Mobile GPS receivers 7400 Rsi-Dsi, (ii) UHF Data Link Modem and (iii)
Navigation software. The system received corrections from the onshore installed
Reference Station. The system accuracy was about 0.5-1.0m.
The bathymetric survey was carried out using an ECHOTRAC DF3200II Single Beam
Hydrographic Echosounder. The echosounder was calibrated by Bar Check method, the
speed of sound was determined and the collected bathymetric data was corrected by
the RTK method.
A high-resolution 3.5kHz subbottom profiling system was used for mapping the
thickness of the surficial sedimentary cover and subsurficial geological features and for
detecting buried archaeological material. The complete system consists of: (i) an O.R.E
132B 4-transducers array, (ii) a GEOPULSE transmitter 5430A, (iii) a GEOPULSE
receiver 5210A, (iv) an E.P.C. model GSP 1086 thermal recorder, (v) Digital recording
system, model TRITON ELICS DELPH Seismic Acquisition and Processing.
An E.g&G image-corrected side scan sonar system was used for the seafloor mapping
in order to detect geological features and archaeological/historical targets. The complete
system consists of: (i) an E.G&G. 260 isometric recorder, (ii) a 272 TD dual frequency
towfish, (iii) a 150m-long Kevlar cable, and (iv) a Digital recording system, model
TRITON ELICS with ISIS SONAR and DELPH MAP software.
For the underwater inspection by scuba diver, a SONY-AMPHIBIO video system and a
NIKONOS V camera were used.
4.2. Survey design
Although the survey was undertaken to P.P.C requirements and the project area defined
on the basis of planned development than archaeological objectives, it provided an
excellent research opportunity to explore the potential of advanced remote sensing
techniques in submarine archaeology. The planning of the survey was based to meet
the two fold scope: (i) to relocate with high accuracy the shipwreck and (ii) to recover an
new alternative cables corridor which be in no conflict with the preservation of the wreck
for these reasons, the survey was divided into three phases. The first phase involved
systematic survey by echosounder, side scan sonar and subbottom profiler for the
relocation of wreck's site and the detection of targets of potential archaeological/
historical significance. The second phase consisted of diving to a maximum depth of
15m. The objectives of the second phase were: (i) to identify the wreck position and (ii)
to inspect visually all locations of potential archaeological/historical interest pinpointed
during the first phase. The final phase covered the same general area as the first phase
and carried out using the same techniques. The scope of the final phase was to
determine a new and suitable route for the laying of the power cables. The alternative
cables route must be in no conflict with the preservation of the wreck. Final phase's
focus was on (i) the mapping the thickness of the surficial sedimentary cover for the
burial assessment study, and (ii) the detection of the presence and the definition of the
exact positions of any hazardous morphological and geological features on the seabed
(outcropping rock, active faults, excessive slope gradients, etc).
5. DATA PRESENTATION
5.1. Phase 1
The study of the sonar images and the 3.5kHz profiles have shown that the seafloor in
the surveyed area is consisting by sandy/muddy sediments and rocky outcrops.

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Posidonia field with an average height of about 0.6m covers an extensive part of the
surveyed area.
At the northward end of the area, the sonar records and the 3.5kHz profiles show the
presence of an elongated ridge (Figure 2 and 3). This rocky ridge has a length of 200m,
a maximum width of 50m and a height of about 4m above the surrounding seafloor. The
flattened top of the ridge is located at water depth of about 6m. The position and the
overall geometry of this feature suggest that this ridge is Signallo reef. At the westward
end of the Signallo reef a crater-like depression was recorded on the sonar images
(Figure 2) and the 3.5kHz profiles (Figure 3). This depression covers an area of 15x20m
and has a depth of about 2.0m under the surrounding seafloor (Figure 2 and 3). There is
a strong possibility that this depression is correlated to the blast area in which the wreck
is laid.
Additionally, a number of targets of potential archaeological/historical interest was
registered during the first phase. A majority of the interesting targets occurred in six
clusters, at water depths between 6 and 8m (Figure 1 and 4). Eight individual targets are
scattered on the seafloor at water depths from 6 to 10m (Figures 1 and 5). The detection
of potentially interesting targets was based on : (i) the different reflectivity in relation to
the surrounding area (Figure 4 and 5), (ii) the relief and size (Figure 5) and (iii) the
presence of certain geometrical patterns (Figure 4).
5.2. Phase 2
The scuba diver was dived in the area of crater-like depression where he identified the
presence of the post-Byzantine wreck. The wooden structures were visible on the
seabed and the site of the wreck was relocated with accuracy.
All the targets (clusters and individuals) of potential archaeological/historical interest was
visually inspected by scuba diver, during the second phase. The collective data (photos
and videos) revealed no evidence of wrecks protected by law or any other remains of
archaeological/historical interest.
5.3. Phase 3
After the relocation of wreck's site with high accuracy (phase 1), it was discovered that
the pre-selected cables route corridor crosses the wreck's site (Figure 1). So, further
survey was needed in order to determine a new alternative suitable corridor. A dense
grid of remote sensing survey lines showed that:
(i) The seafloor up to 6m isobath is smooth and is covered by a muddy/sandy layer of a
maximum thickness of 4m. At the southeastern part of surveyed zone an extensive area
of rocky shoals occurs.
(ii) The seafloor between the 6m and 7m isobaths has an irregular relief due to the
presence of a posidonia field with depressions and cavities through its root layer and
rocky outcrops up to 1.5m in height.
(iii) Between the 7m and 10m isobaths, a sedimentary cover of a minimum thickness of
1.5m covers the seafloor, different types of seagrass and a posidonia field grow on the
seafloor.
(iv) Deeper than 10m isobath, the seafloor is covered by a sedimentary cover of a
minimum thickness of 1.5m, different types of seagrass and a posidonia field grow on
the seafloor.
In light of the abovementioned results, a new alternative cables corridor was planned
(Figure 1). The new corridor was rotated southward from the initially designed one. The
nearest cable route (KZ1, in Figure 1) to the wreck's site is about 200m away from the
wreck. In addition, the Signallo reef is located between the wreck and the new corridor,
acting as a physical protective barrier.

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Figure 1: Detail bathymetric map of the surveyed area.

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Figure 2: Side scan sonar image showing the Signallo reef and the explosion-induced
crater (wreck's site).

Figure 3: 3.5kHz profiles showing the crater-like depression (wreck's site).

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Figure 4: Side scan sonar images showing targets of potential interest. The targets
present certain shape and different reflectivity in relation toy surrounding area.

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Figure 5: Side scan sonar image showing a target of potential interest. The target
present high reflectivity in relation to surrounding seafloor and high relief.
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