An ancient ship’s SOS - Cyprus Mail

The Kyrenia Shipwreck

One day about 2,300 years ago, not long after the death of Alexander the Great, a small merchant ship stacked with wine and almond-filled amphoras sailed past the port of Kyrenia on Cyprus’ northern coast. On board were four sailors about whom we know little, except that they had lowered their sail, possibly in anticipation of an approaching storm. We do not know whether the boat intended to arrive at Kyrenia, or if it was leaving. Maybe it was simply passing by; but what we do know is that it sank 30 metres down to the bottom of the Mediterranean sea where it remained for 23 centuries until found by a modern-day Cypriot out diving for sponges. 

Since its excavation from the seabed between 1968 and 69, the Kyrenia Shipwreck, as it came to be known, and its cargo of over 400 amphoras, has resided in Kyrenia Castle. Despite its being one of the world’s finest and best-preserved examples of classical naval architecture and the cargo a unique source of information on trade in the classical era, the wreck and its associated relics today face permanent damage from neglect and decay.

 

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As Harpster points out, “The bulk of the exhibit is in storage. What you see is only a fraction of what the ship was carrying so people who visit don’t get a true picture of how much cargo the ship was carrying and how varied it was.” 

When asked who he thought should pay for the ship’s upkeep, Harpster says, “I think the people of Cyprus should be interested in preserving this ship. This ship represents the island. It’s on the money; it’s on the stamps. This is an emblem of the island to the world.”