Archaeologists have stumbled upon new evidence of a submerged ancient port in the ancient Greek city of Asini, near the coastal village of Tolo on the on the Peloponnese peninsula. The excavations suggest structural remains that offer new insights into Mediterranean maritime history.
Experts from Greece’s Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, the Swedish Institute at Athens, Stockholm University, the University of Gothenburg, and the Nordic Maritime Group have been closely involved in the excavation process. The discovery, led by Greek archaeologist Dr. Panagiota Galiatsatou and Swedish researchers Prof. Ann-Louise Schallin and Dr. Niklas Eriksson, is part of an ongoing underwater research project launched in 2022. During the process, the team focused on a section of an artificial platform submerged in shallow waters.
Advanced photography techniques have been used by the experts to document the structural elements within a 16-square-meter area
The findings have confirmed the presence of a large stone foundation, likely part of the ancient port infrastructure.
At the time of discovery, archaeologists found many stones and fragments of the construction materials. The materials hinted that the structure had gradually collapsed over time.
The most notable discoveries included ceramic fragments, including amphora pieces embedded in stone structures and a broken vessel in an area known as “Sector 4A.”
Asini is known for its archaeological significance, particularly the ruins of Ancient Asini, which was mentioned in Homer’s Iliad as a city that contributed ships to the Trojan War.
The remains of a Mycenaean-era settlement are located on a rocky hill known as Kastraki, near the modern village. Excavations were carried out by Swedish archaeologists in the 1920s.
Archaeologists intend to conduct further excavations to investigate the upper section of the artificial platform.
In the next phase, they will carefully remove sediment manually and employ controlled dredging to reveal more structures.