DIVING INTO THE PAST

The job of an archaeologist also involves diving in the sea to uncover secrets that lay sleeping under water

In 1274 the legendary Kublai Khan set his eyes on Japan once he consolidated the world’s largest empire from the China Sea to the plains of Hungary. The first failed attempt to invade Japan was followed by a second invasion with 900 ships starting from Korea and another 3500 ships sailing from China. The Korean fleet reached the Hakata Bay but the Chinese fleet was never seen again.

Kublai Khan had inherited the largest armada in the world. This has been long considered to be a part of his mythic stature. When recently marine archaeologists discovered the second fleet off the western coast of the island of Takashima the mystery was finally solved after 700 years and the myth confirmed. Inclement weather was finally crossed out as a possible reason and the fleet’s fate was conclusively attributed to the hasty construction and the inferior craft of the ships. And thus stands unravelled one of the greatest marvels of human history.

Marine archaeology

And this is one of the many contributions made by marine archaeology in recent times. Also known as maritime, nautical or underwater archaeology, it deals with as the scientific study of the material remains of man and his activities on the sea. Marine archaeology is a distinct and rising discipline within the broader field of archaeology. It entails documentation, investigation and recovery of material remains and traces of maritime communities, technologies and practices. Human history across and alongside sea routes, lakes, and rivers is what marine archaeology seeks to uncover and retell by studying trade, commerce, exchange, water transport technology, seafaring, coastal settlement, ports and harbours.

Other wonders

Marine technology and deep sea diving have both led to the discovery of entire cities, civilizations, fleets, ships and treasures beneath the seas. What is exciting is that we now can see how commerce, travel and seafaring were like from the Bronze Age to recent colonial times.

Bronze Age: The first great archaeological find was a cargo vessel discovered off Turkey’s Cape Gelidonya in 1960. The cargocontained copper and tin ingots, and personal possessions of the crew which evidently came from Egypt, Cyprus, and Syria. The archaeologists concluded that the ship was early Phoenician based on the Egyptian art, Syrian port excavations, and the artefacts in the vessel. This discovery completely altered the contemporary view of the Phoenicians not having entered the seas until the Iron Age and forced scholars to reconsider the history of naval commerce in the region.

Medieval Europe: In 1626, the Swedish Kind Gustavus Adolphus built the enormous sea vessel Vasa. It was meant to be a political statement in the 17th century as Adolphus meant to present the world the most powerful warship. But due to the haste with which the vessel was built, the ship sank minutes after it sailed on its maiden voyage. But archaeologists in 1961 brought this treasure to the shore with all its four decks preserved and in pristine condition along with precious artefacts and 700 sculptures. Vasa has provided invaluable insight into the art of warfare, shipbuilding, and life of Swedish sailors of the 17th century.

Underwater treasures of India

Bet Dwarka Island: Marine explorations around Bet Dwarka Island, off the coast of Gujarat, have proved that there was a human settlement on the island from the Protohistoric period which is 4000 BP (Before Present). Seals, graffiti, 3 potsherds and pottery from the Harappan civilization were discovered. Kushana coins and pottery, iron guns and Mughal coins were also found. Amphorae sherds and lead ingots found in the waters of Bet Dwarka indicate the presence of a shipwreck belonging to the Roman period. Ongoing research in the waters around the island is being watched with much anticipation by Indian and worldwide scholars as it can also throw important light upon myths and legends of yore.

Lakshwadeep: The Archaeological Survey of India discovered Roman coins from Kadmat and Buddha heads from Androth and Minicoy which provide early evidence of settlements on these islands. The waters also hid remains of a Greek ship carrying 2nd World War surplus from Burma.