An international team of underwater archaeologists has recently completed a new phase of excavations at the submerged site of Asini, near the coastal village of Tolo, in Argolis, Greece. The research, conducted between October 7 and 11, 2024, has documented significant remains of an ancient port infrastructure, adding new pieces to the puzzle of Mediterranean maritime history.
The work is part of an ambitious underwater archaeological research program that has been underway since 2022, the result of collaboration between the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities of Greece, the Swedish Institute at Athens, and Stockholm University. It also involves the Department of Archaeology at the University of Gothenburg and the company Nordic Maritime Group.
Under the direction of Greek archaeologist Dr. Panagiota Galiatsatou and Swedish specialists Prof. Ann-Louise Schallin and Dr. Niklas Eriksson, the team has conducted a meticulous study of the seabed in a key area of the ancient harbor.
This year’s fieldwork focused on the northwestern edge of a submerged artificial platform, an area that, according to previous studies, has preserved much of its original shape. In a 16-square-meter area, archaeologists used high-resolution photogrammetry to document in detail the structural remains and materials found.
The results have confirmed the existence of significant architectural remains belonging to the ancient port infrastructure. Numerous stones and fragments of construction materials have been identified, suggesting a partial collapse of the structure over time.
Among the most notable findings are ostraca from amphorae found within the stone structures and a broken ceramic vessel in the excavation area known as “Sector 4A.”
These ceramic fragments could provide key clues for dating the submerged port. It is believed that the remains correspond to objects used while the platform was still in operation or to elements left behind after the port was abandoned.
Asini is an area with continuous occupation since prehistoric times, making it difficult to determine the exact construction date of this artificial port. However, the new discoveries reinforce the hypothesis that this infrastructure played a crucial role in maritime trade in the region during various historical periods.
Previous research conducted in 2021 and 2022 had already identified the extensive size of the port, whose main structure consists of a large artificial platform in shallow waters. On this platform, remains that could correspond to rooms or buildings have been detected, suggesting that the port facility may have had a more complex use than initially thought.
The team’s next objective will be to conduct new excavations on the upper part of the artificial platform. For this, one or two additional archaeological interventions will be carried out, with sediments carefully removed by hand and through controlled dredging.
All objects and architectural remains will be documented in situ using photogrammetry, a technique that allows the creation of high-precision 3D models for further analysis.
The findings from the 2024 campaign will be published in the scientific journal Opuscula, edited by the Swedish Institutes of Athens and Rome, as well as in other specialized publications on archaeology and maritime studies.
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