At the end of October 2023, the multi-year submarine archaeological research in the marine area of Kasos was completed. Since 2019, the research team of the National Hellenic Research Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture carried out four research expeditions in areas of special interest, using archaeological and historical evidence, sources, testimonies and reports on the island of Kasos, from Homer’s Iliad to modern times.

During the research, a total of ten shipwrecks as well as important individual finds were discovered, dating back to prehistory (3000 BC), the Classical period (460 BC), the Hellenistic period (100 BC to 100 AD) and the Roman period (200 BC – 300 AD), the Byzantine period (800 – 900 AD), as well as finds from the medieval and Ottoman period.

The findings were recorded and documented using modern scientific methods, while sampling of archaeological objects was carried out, the study of which offers new information and archaeological data, aspects of the history of Kasos and the rich cultural heritage of the Mediterranean. Submerged remains of ancient ships carrying merchandise from Spain, Italy, Africa and the coast of Asia Minor were brought to light by an interdisciplinary team of Greek and foreign researchers and professors, diving archaeologists, historians, architects, surveyors, conservators, geologists, biologists, craftsmen, graduate students, PhD candidates, post-doctoral researchers and other specialists.

It is worth mentioning that the underwater research in Kasos was the subject of an original film production by AORI FILMS entitled “Diving in the History of the Aegean”, available in Greek and English at https://kasosproject.com/. The film has already been selected to participate in the competition section of leading international archaeological film festivals, including The Archaeology Channel International Film Festival in America and Firenze Archeo film Festival in Europe.